cook

noun  \ ˈku̇k \

Definition of cook

: a person who prepares food for eating
: a technical or industrial process comparable
to cooking food; also : a substance so processes

Excited to share with you our new Cook T-Shirt. My newest design for my shop ego coquo ergo sum (I Cook Therefore I am) in a way is self explanatory. Cook. The Websters definition of cook is telling of this post. As an experienced Chef (always a cooking Chef), this definition speaks volumes. As a private Chef I'm called upon to cook a variety of foods, including desserts and pastries which belong to a tradition and specialization in their own right, and from a variety of rich culinary traditions recently including Chinese cuisine, Indian cuisine, and Latin cuisine.  Remember I am trained in French cuisine. When tackling new requests from my clients I find it best to dive in head first and just cook.  Of course this isn't simple.  To execute a cuisine well you have to have respect for its roots and traditions. 

I am often asked by aspiring chefs whether they should go to culinary school or self train.  That's a question that everyone has to answer for themselves but I will say this.  Culinary school gave me the foundation for understanding the rules and chemistry of cooking.  From that point I was able to understand and adapt the rules of cooking to make my dishes unique. I have the tools to build on but by understanding those rules I can twist and play with them in a way that allows me to bring something new and wonderful to the table. Literally.  To be clear there is NO substitute for real life training and experience.  I learned my most valuable lessons in the kitchen working side by side with other experienced chefs.

When I take on a new cuisine I do a lot of research and I love it.  I read cook books from the best regarded
Chefs in the tradition, I eat at as many restaurants within the tradition I am learning as I can and try a variety of dishes, and then I get in the kitchen and I COOK. Just cook. I try my hand at everything and I am not afraid to mix it up.  Not for nothing, I get a lot of positive feedback. Knock on wood. This technique works. Jump in, be unafraid, but also stand on the shoulders of giants and COOK.

I hope you enjoy this new design and have fun in the kitch

Signing off for the night....

Chef Seis