No chefs in my kitchen >>

thanks, that has been one of my rants for a really long time. In one of Bourdain's books he tells of

a chef for which he had the utmost respect, saying he want on his gravestone, "he was a mighty good cook". I couldn't find the refernce, but think it might have been Eric Ripert. They did work together at one time? and on one No Reservations they were back on the line at Les Halles.
Nan

 
Well put! I squirm a little when someone calls me a "chef." In French it means "chief" or "boss"

and it only refers to the head cook in a restaurant kitchen. We've taken the word and run with it. I'd much rather be called a good cook.

There was a recent slew of radio commercials for some awful chain restaurant--can't remember which--that kept repeating the new term "chef-prepared!!" "Your chef's selection is chef-prepared just for you!!" They're making the word meaningless.

I like Mom-and-Pop type places that offer good honest food made by good cooks.

 
I also don't like being called a gourmet chef (well, maybe just a little) But I correct that by

saying I'm a "FinerKitchen Cook...sometimes gourmet, sometimes comfort, sometimes healthy, sometimes not but always very good."

 
when somebody calls me a gourmet cook (especially after i've done hot dogs)

i just say, 'i love to cook',although i suspect that sometimes they're reaching for the word, 'gourmand'.

 
Is this just an American thing?

It's everywhere!

Everyone is suddenly an expert of all they touch. Drives me nuts.

Many people can't seem to string 3 words together and make a grammatically correct sentence these days, but they feel qualified to critique the work of people who write for a living (I get this a lot Arrrghghghg!).

I'm sure everyone can think of many other examples in their lives besides the chef.

"Fluent" in a language is another. Fluent means you speak as a native would. I've studied lots of German and can get by, but fluent I'm not. Everyone always introduces me as "Oh, this is Richard, he is FLUENT in German." No I'm not!

To my horror, I was recently introduced (by someone who didn't know a word of German, so therefore was unqualified to make this assessment) to a native German speaker as being "fluent" in German! I was mortified.

And while we're on the topic: companies using names of classic things to describe their cheap junk? A slice of chemically artificially flavored lime pie can't be just a lime pie. No, it's a KEY lime pie.

Oh? What makes it Key?

 
I'm a home cook. I was recently introduced by a friend who has eaten at my table...

...many times as a "chef".

People are not aware that this title is earned by folks who study and practice and study some more -usually at a culinary academy with very high tuition. To me, it carries great honor and is worthy of respect.

The person to whom I was introduced asked immediately if I had my own restaurant! I told them that our mutual friend had paid me a handsome compliment, and that I was just someone who loves to cook. I'm a home cook who takes great pleasure cooking for family and friends.

Michael

 
I'm with you. Icall myself a good home cook who loves to cook for family and friends.

 
To take it further - Ruhlman defined when you become a chef as `

when you are in charge and responsible for the livelyhood of others or something to that degree. He was here earlier this year and came out to school and the students were asking him that question - when are you a chef? He said that he was not a chef just because he went to the CIA and worked in kitchens and wrote books.

I always cring when people ask me about it and really don't feel comfortable with the term but it aggitates the bejeevers out of me to see folks that have NO formal schooling, training or experience in restaurant kitchens out there calling themselves 'Chefs' and teaching classes or doing 'Personal Chef' services and such.

 
I agree...

When there is a kitchenful of people calling you CHEF instead of your name and saying things like "hey chef, how do I fix this sauce" and you're not only getting paid to cook, but also to supervise, educate and run the kitchen, that is sort of "cheffy"

 
Yes. It is like applying a bandaid to a child's finger and being introduced to the child's

mother as "the doctor"!

 
Ah, El Jefe!

I hate it when my friends call me a chef, I have no culinary training and I think that title belongs to a professional. I'm a happy amateur cook with a passion for my hobby (or obsession but who likes labels).

How about just calling me queen of the kitchen? LOL

 
I confess, my catering menu calls me a "Personal Chef." I don't know a recognizable term

for someone who comes to your house and cooks.

Halfway though a dinner with a first-time client once, the hostess, who had been fawning all over me, asked, "Where is your restaurant?" I told her I didn't have one and she was a bit cold for the rest of the evening. What? She thought a restaurant owner could spare a Saturday night to cook for 12 people at her place? Wierd.

I do think most people know that "Personal Chef" is a derivative.

 
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