I’m such a Food Nerd.
It’s the only explanation for why, on Tuesday night at LearnVest LIVE, while my friends made a beeline for the Career session with the accomplished Joanna Coles, and despite my burning entrepreneurial spirit, I hurriedly made my way to the front row of the session being presented by Gail Simmons, culinary expert, Top Chef Judge and Editor at Food and Wine Magazine. I didn’t really care what she was going to be talking about; the simple fact that I could see her in living color was it for me.
And she delivered!
She was dymanic and down-to-earth and energetic and shared clear, doable tips for the home cook. I took ‘copious notes’ (as we used to say in law school), excited to implement and, of course, to share. Here’s an overview of her Top 10, with a tidbit about each:
Be a Smarter Cook, by Gail Simmons at LearnVest LIVE
1. Cook Efficiently. Cook large quantities, freeze and enjoy later.
2. Stock Your Pantry with the Basics. What are YOUR basic foods? The items from which you can pretty much make anything you and your family enjoy? Create and maintain your “personal pantry.”
3. Read the Entire Recipe First! A classic rookie mistake. Don’t forget your mise en place!
4. Be Prepared and Organized. Simpler is always better.
5. Recognize Method and Application. Recognize that different foods require different methods of cooking to bring out their best qualities.
6. Add Nutrients. The darker the veggie, the more nutritious.
7. Think About Flavor. Do the least possible to the best ingredients.
8. Think About Temperature and Texture. For example, cheese should always be served at room temperature.
9. Learn to Make Soup. If you can make a good soup, you can make anything…it’s the foundation to all cooking.
10. Food Should Make You Happy. Care about what goes into your body.
She also gave some great advice on building (or paring down in my case) your cookbook library and what every chef must have in her kitchen. More on those is another post. But, all of this valuable advice aside, what I loved the most was her sentiment that…
a good meal is a gift.
To which I let out a happy sigh. Kinda like I had just finished a good meal.
I would have made a beeline for Gail Simmons too! Thanks for sharing her tips. I love them and they are spot on!
*waves hand* Food nerd here too 🙂 I would’ve done the same thing….LOVE Gail Simmons. Great tips and pic – thanks for sharing!
thanks Nae! you and i need to get together and talk food!! #FoodNerdsUnite
Kim, I’m sure you could teach Gail a thing or two 🙂
when you finish paring down your collection, can you let the rest of us know what’s left. I have a shelf full of cookbooks that I never use because it’s overwhelming….