Tips for Cooking Students or Chefs

  If you are one of those people who wants to make the most of every opportunity for new practice or initial work, we invite you to follow these 10 tips that will help you in your upcoming kitchen experiences as a professional chef: Ask everything necessary Do not hesitate to ask your superiors any questions, no matter how basic you think they are. Remember, there are no stupid questions. Taste every preparation Sharpen your taste buds by tasting sauces, side dishes, or desserts. Always carry a spoon or two with you and ask to taste the preparation that the cook makes. The idea is to develop your palate and give your opinion on the dishes. Don’t hesitate to eat or try everything. Don’t be one of those people who avoid eating and reject foods; they simply do not belong in the kitchen. Carry a notebook and take notes Get a good notebook, mini notebook, or small agenda where you can take notes on preparations, recipes, techniques, organizational systems, tricks, etc. I recommend a hardcover one since it should withstand the movements of the kitchen and various uses. Treasure that cooking diary as it will be very useful to you. Show eagerness to work and interest When you finish your mise en place or assigned task, don’t just stand there waiting for orders. Go and help other cooks or chefs; indicate that you want to help them set up their service station, clean their workspaces, or assist them in finishing their mise en place. Over time, you will gain more knowledge, which will be vital for promotions to other positions. Show that you want to work more and never let your guard down. Buy a good knife The idea of a good knife is that it lasts you throughout your career. Save money and invest in good quality and well-designed knives and kitchen tools. For example, personally, I recommend Wüsthof, Global, Henckels, Victorinox, Kyocera, among many other good brands. Acquire good cooking books or magazines Try to buy a cooking magazine every month, but go for the best ones, meaning those that have information on new trends, reports, interviews, and recipes from the culinary world. You can also invest in good cooking books to further educate yourself. The idea is to have information often to develop your knowledge and also know what is happening out there in other hotels, restaurants, and countries. Be a witness to warehouse orders and suppliers The point is to have the curiosity to get involved in the merchandise orders made by your superiors, or also to see the food requirement lists. The idea is for you to have knowledge of the fresh, frozen, and canned products that your workplace requires, which will give you an idea of product rotation as well as vital tools for management. Learn about wines Start incorporating wines into your daily meals, or attend tastings of new varietals or wine-related events. You will further train your taste buds and discover a new world. Remember that gastronomy is not just food, and oenology plays a fundamental role. Travel and discover new places When you finish your internship, career, or job, pack your things and travel to other places. Whether within your country or abroad, but the latter is what we recommend the most, as it is where you will learn the most. This is the stage where you truly start to cook. There are many great countries with excellent places to discover and work, such as Japan, China, the US, England, France, Australia, Spain, Peru, Mexico, among many others. You will not only learn their cuisine but also their culture and way of life. Be humble in your actions I know we repeat this concept a lot, but it is the most important. Being humble means being aware of your knowledge and skills and knowing what you are capable of executing. Remember that you are in a learning stage and have superiors who will watch over your performance. It will depend on you how the feedback you receive will be. If you make mistakes, learn from them and acknowledge your actions. Have a lot of self-criticism and do not brag in front of anyone. Show your maturity, responsibility, and humility. If you follow our recommendations to the letter, we are sure you will achieve very good results in your experiences. Remember that one never literally stops learning about cooking, but it is your initial stage that will be the cornerstone for your future opportunities that will lead you to become someone better. Recommended cooking recipes to practice: - Fish with Creamy Mustard Sauce - Milhojas in Nogada - Almond and Chocolate Cookies - Grilled Potatoes with Goat Cheese