Chef Positions Explained
Ever wondered what makes a Sous Chef? Or what exactly a Garde Manger Chef does? Or whether Commis Chefs still exist after the demise of the USSR? Well look no further, all the titles and definitions are listed below. Chef: The word in French is generally interpreted to mean boss, as when... More...
No More Onion Tears
Over the years I have heard of a lot of remedies for preventing tears when cutting up onions. Many of these have been quite amusing; chew on a matchstick while cutting (must be wood), others sound as though they might work; run the onion under water for a few minutes before chopping and others... More...
Barbecue. The secrets of the Greek way !
I have taste grilled meats around the world. Before i will guide you to the various technologies (gas barbecues, charcoal barbecues, Mongolian, sauces, recipes ) i will tell you about the Greek way. We Greeks like good food so i will start from the meat. Whatever the technology, the recipe and... More...
Becoming A Chef: Specialty Chefs and Their Responsibilities
by Mike Churchill, © 2006, All Rights Reserved When most people talk about becoming a chef, it is assumed their goal is to attain the title of Executive Chef. However, there are many specialty chef positions available to those who have the proper culinary arts training. If... More...
Salts Explained
Cooking Salts Explained Salt, also known as Sodium Chloride or (NaCl) is a vital component of the healthy and balanced human diet. Over half of the human body contains fluids that contain salt. Our blood, tears and saliva all contain salt. In addition we daily lose salt in our... More...
The Single Most Important Ingredient In Making Pastry
We've all done it. With one bite of a truly perfect pastry, we've closed our eyes and sighed an almost sensual "Mmm!" Light and flaky, crisp and golden, good pastry just melts in your mouth. However, pastry has been proclaimed as one of the most difficult dessert elements to make. That's... More...
Christmas Cuisine in the Philippines
The Philippines, the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, has it's own, not necessarily European influenced, loved Christmas traditions. As early as October the Filipinos are starting to ask and crave for these Christmas specialties such as Bibingka and Puto... More...
Becoming A Professional Chef - Is It For You?
by Mike Churchill, © 2006, All Rights Reserved You're known as a whiz in the kitchen. Your friends compliment your culinary skills with every new dish you create. From classic French baguettes to elaborate standing rib roasts, each creation is presented in style and is always met... More...
What the Pros Prefer: The Ins and Outs of Buying Cookware
by Mike Churchill It can be more complicated than selecting which toothpaste to use. There is a seemingly never-ending list of cookware types to choose from - all exclaiming that they are the newest and the best. While each type has its benefits, most home chefs and culinary school... More...
Which Knives Do Professional Chefs Prefer?
by Mike Churchill One look at the price tags and you'll quickly discover that all knives are not created equal. But why such a huge range in pricing? Are the more expensive knives really that much better? Will they last longer or stay sharp for an extended period of time? And what do... More...
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Ideas
The next day after Thanksgiving is marked by the appearance of a seemingly endless stream of turkey sandwiches. It is, in its own way, part of the American Thanksgiving tradition. But is slapping a few slabs of white and dark on wheat with a smear of Mayo the only thing to do with leftovers from... More...
Brine - It's Not Just for Pickles Anymore
Holidays bring out family traditions. That ornament you made in second grade hangs on the Christmas tree at your parents’ house, and the stories of Aunt Mary’s turkey fiasco make the rounds at the dinner table. Talking turkey eventually comes around to a problem that has plagued turkey cookers... More...
The Bizz Johnson Trail
Northeastern California is home to the scenic Bizz Johnson Trail. The trail runs along the Susan River in Lassen County. Bizz Johnson Trail follows the old Fernley and Lassen Branch Line of the Southern Pacific railroad. It runs over 25 miles from Susanville to Mason Station. The main trailhead... More...
Chile Con Carne: A History
It's simple really. Peppers with meat in a spicy stew with tomatoes, onions, beans and other ingredients in as many variations as the mind can muster. From Baja to Cincinnati right through the heart of Texas, where it's the official state dish, chile con carne, or chili for short, is among the... More...
Heart Healthy Cooking Tips
Taking care of the old ticker requires exercise and a decent diet. There's simply no substitute for either. We'll leave the aerobic concerns to more informed minds and stick to the stuff that goes in the gut, namely the heart healthy foods everyone needs to stay fit, and the heart healthy... More...