Another must read essay from Shuna Fish Lydon's eggbeater blog about Testing Recipes. I love her thoughtful, humorous, insightful prose. A favorite passage (among many):
"But if you can take a recipe into your own hands, and really look at it before you buy the best butter, and spend all day bringing everything to room temp and clearing all surfaces for your next floury masterpiece, then I assure you that recipe will return the favor. Work with the recipe, do not let the recipe order you around."
Showing posts with label Eggbeater blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eggbeater blog. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
It's never been said better.....
One word after reading Bay area chef Shuna Lydon's essay about not only running/working a restaurant kitchen but being "in the weeds" on the line: WOW! Also fucking spot on. This is a must read for every cook, professional or home. Also anyone who runs/works in any business. There's lessons here for all of us. Favorite passages:
_______________
"There are a few ways to teach a cook Imperative.
One is to tell him:
"We need you to accomplish this five hour task by the time service starts, in 1 and a half hours."
"Hey, I need these carrots for service. Yeah I know you think it will take you longer than 30 minutes but it can't, right, because I need them to cook for the first order which is in, well, now, 28 minutes."
And so on.
Another is to show her.
Get in there, take the peeler out of her hand, and peel those apples faster, talking and showing as you go. Give instruction in a clear, concise way backed up with answers to why and show the how. Take another spoon out of the bain marie and quenelle 10 for every three she does. Show her how to move faster, stay cleaner and teach form, grace and economy of movement. Be more organized than your staff, showing them it can be done. Inspire them to want to be better."
_______________
"The Weeds
will take you no matter how smart, clean, efficient, organized, you are. The Weeds will find your weakness. And live there. The Weeds wait for every cook.
The Weeds will take your lunch money and throw sand in your face and take your girlfriend and steal your pride. The Weeds do not discriminate. The Weeds wait. The Weeds are patient. Quiet. Confident. The Weeds strip you naked and leave you out to dry. And the next night? They'll be back again.
Refreshed."
_______________
When I read her "Cowboys on islands become clueless chefs who lead their team into The Weeds every night single-handedly." I can't help but relate it to the financial "geniuses" who have our economy circling the drain. This is great writing. Once more: WOW!!
_______________
"There are a few ways to teach a cook Imperative.
One is to tell him:
"We need you to accomplish this five hour task by the time service starts, in 1 and a half hours."
"Hey, I need these carrots for service. Yeah I know you think it will take you longer than 30 minutes but it can't, right, because I need them to cook for the first order which is in, well, now, 28 minutes."
And so on.
Another is to show her.
Get in there, take the peeler out of her hand, and peel those apples faster, talking and showing as you go. Give instruction in a clear, concise way backed up with answers to why and show the how. Take another spoon out of the bain marie and quenelle 10 for every three she does. Show her how to move faster, stay cleaner and teach form, grace and economy of movement. Be more organized than your staff, showing them it can be done. Inspire them to want to be better."
_______________
"The Weeds
will take you no matter how smart, clean, efficient, organized, you are. The Weeds will find your weakness. And live there. The Weeds wait for every cook.
The Weeds will take your lunch money and throw sand in your face and take your girlfriend and steal your pride. The Weeds do not discriminate. The Weeds wait. The Weeds are patient. Quiet. Confident. The Weeds strip you naked and leave you out to dry. And the next night? They'll be back again.
Refreshed."
_______________
When I read her "Cowboys on islands become clueless chefs who lead their team into The Weeds every night single-handedly." I can't help but relate it to the financial "geniuses" who have our economy circling the drain. This is great writing. Once more: WOW!!
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