Rate Yourself: Cook or Good Cook?

Needless to say, we have to cook! Some get by while others excel! That’s the truth, ain’t it?

How about we take a closer look at what makes someone a great cook?

It really isn’t about how big or fancy your kitchen is. The best food and cooks can be found in humble surroundings.

1. A genuinely good cook can follow a really good recipe. They can follow a mediocre recipe as well and improve on it.
   A good cook will look at a bad recipe and automatically know it won’t come out well, and discard the recipe.
2. A good cook can usually look at a basic recipe, and know what spices, sauce, syrup, fruit, etc. will heighten and brighten the recipe.
3. A good cook has experience and doesn’t always need a recipe.
4. A good cook will try new things fearlessly but know their limits.
5. A good cook truly thinks outside the box. They are passionate about their cooking, and love feeding people.
6. A good cook loves food.
   They have a special relationship with the food they prepare that comes naturally.
7. A good cook has enough cooking experience to know what substitutions work.
8. A good cook doesn’t always need a recipe. They can figure it out in their heads after tasting something.
9. A good cook could open a refrigerator and kitchen cupboards and put together a meal with those odd ingredients that are found.
10. A good cook knows what different spices taste like and would know how to combine them to make food taste great, so that those eating it want more.
11. A good cook would have experience with lots of different ingredients and would know the basics on how to prepare them.
12. A good cook can adapt a recipe to suit their needs in a jiffy.
13. A good cook knows how to best plate and serve the food.
14. And to conclude, remember that a good cook dresses the part. No need for the chef’s hat, but suitable clothing, sensible footwear, hair tied back – basically appropriate clothing and an apron will definitely show others you know your stuff and know it well!

To be a really good cook, you would always be adding to your knowledge and experiences. You must be growing and teachable. There is always more to learn!