Nicole has been cooking dinner for her and her boyfriend a lot lately and she thinks she’s getting pretty good at it. She thinks she’s starting to become a really good cook. Rich asks her how she’s been coming up with all these recipes and she tells him that’s she’s gotten them from cook books and online. Rich then proceeds to tell Nicole that if she’s just following recipes that doesn’t mean your a great cook.
Anyone can follow the directions from a cook book and make a good dish. The instructions and ingredients are right there! Nicole, of course, seriously disagrees with Rich. There are plenty of people that can’t cook even with a recipe in front of them. Being a good cook doesn’t mean you have to make every little thing without a recipe, or add your own spin on it.
Stan thinks that a good cook is someone who take a recipe, make it their own, and take it up a notch. Do you think someone can be considered a good cook if they’re just following recipes? In your opinion, what makes someone a cook?
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A chef creates the recipes. A cook prepares them. So you can be a good cook but not a great chef. Chef = creator. Cook = preparer.
Nicole, I think you’re good cook (I say this on good faith, seeing I’ve never tried your cooking). I myself have followed recipes and I still can’t seem to get it right, that’s why there are definite cooking skills that make you a good cook, which is not determined by how great of a instruction follower you are. I have also tried to make up my own recipes before, which Rich would consider a “good cook” thing to do, and let me tell you those didn’t work out so well either.
I’m with Stan on this one. When I try cooking something new I lways follow the recipe in the cookbook or online but after a few times I start changing things or adding different things to make it my own recipe and make it more of what I like.
PS
Nicole, I’d love to try some your cooking sometime lol
Rich if full of crap! Just because you can follow a recipe doesn’t mean you can cook. I have friends that follow recipes but unless they have the knack their food does not taste right. Not all recipes tell you EXACTLY your process i.e. how long to stir, what ingredients to put in when. So Nicole don’t let them discourage you. If your food tastes good you’re a good cook. Everyone has to start somewhere and after you have been “following recipes” for a while you will be able to create your own. Rich can go suck it.
Sandra
PS I LOVE listening to the show. I listen in the car and the first thing I do when I get to work is sign in online.
Every great chef started out as a good cook. Every good cook starts by following the recipes of others. Then they developed their own flavors and styles of cooking. Nicole, don’t listen to Rich. He’s just jealous! You keep on, girl!
-Jessica
Even following a recipe can be disastrous if one doesn’t know some cooking techniques. I’m not a good cook. I can cook, but I’m not great at it. My husband is better than I am. I can work my around a kitchen but can’t just throw something together. It is why I prefer to bake. But recipes are guidelines and you can either do it or you can’t. Try watching Worst Cooks In America on Food Network sometime. Even with a recipe they still struggle. Even good home cooks need some help, hence recipes. I would be lost some nights without them. Plus, recipes help you from falling into ruts and eating the same thing over and over and over again. Recipes help you break out of your comfort zone and will make you try something new. And who knows, maybe you will find something new that you never knew you liked before!
Both take skill but you can still “follow” directions to a crappy recipe! Does that make you a bad cook? I’ve recently started a food blog. A combo of recipes I, along with my family have created. I like to switch things up and add things I’ve tried along the years as well from other chefs/cooks. The key is making each recipe your own
Good luck Nicole.
Listen to each and everyday when I’m getting ready!
If you are following a recipe you are a great cook. If you are changing them then you are a chef ! I agree with Nicole!!
as long as whatever it is your cooking doesn’t come out black and smoking, who cares if you followed a recipe or created it yourself. If it’s edable then eat it!
Nicole I happen to think that you could be a good cook following receipes. If you just whip things up all the time and can’t repeat the same great dish then you are not a good cook. So Nicole I am on your side!!!!!! From Canada