10 skills to become a successful chef

There's nothing better than waiting for the weekend and having a barbecue on Saturday afternoon or a special lasagna on Sunday with the family. However, to be a good cook, there are some skills and competencies you need to learn right from the start.

With those who love to cook in mind, we at Cutelaria CIMO have prepared this post with 10 skills and competencies every good cook needs to have. Stay with us and discover how to become an excellent chef!

1. Proper organization and hygiene

Hygiene should always come first. Before you start cooking, wash your hands thoroughly with soap, dry them, and apply hand sanitizer. Then, proceed to clean the culinary utensils you will use. Check out some tips below on how to maintain organization and hygiene in common kitchen situations:

• Cleaning a wooden cutting board: sprinkle a handful of coarse salt on the surface and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, scrub with half a lemon and let it dry;

• Cleaning vegetables: wash under running water and soak in a solution of water and bleach, or water and vinegar;

• Cleaning meats and chicken: do not wash! Prefer to soak them in salt, preventing bacteria from spreading throughout your sink;

• Cleaning iron utensils: avoid using common detergent, opt for coarse salt. It will remove odors and prevent oxidation;

• Cleaning hands after preparation: use half a lemon or a little salt and rub them on your hands. They will remove all odors. Another option is to rub both hands on a stainless steel utensil, such as a spoon, a knife, or a pan.

We talked a little more about the advantages of stainless steel in a post on our blog; it's worth checking out!

2. Ability to handle utensils

A good cook knows how to properly use their utensils, such as knives, spatulas, whisks, peelers, tongs, and graters. Start by understanding the specific function of each of these tools and for what activities they are indicated.

Then, make sure to maintain and store them properly. In the case of knives, for example, it is essential to always have a sharpener nearby, ensuring precise cuts and preventing you from having to exert unnecessary force when cutting.

Furthermore, it is important to know the types of each of these utensils. Again, in the case of knives, there is an infinite variety of types, such as kitchen knives, santoku knives, vegetable knives, bread knives, boning knives, filleting knives, meat knives, and many others.

If you need help choosing the best knife, read our guide and discover which knife is ideal for you!

Tips for accurate cutting

When chopping something on the cutting board, wet a small cloth or a piece of paper towel and place it underneath the utensil. This will ensure that the board stays in place and does not slip.

Additionally, when cutting any round vegetable or fruit, for more practicality, make a small cut underneath, thus creating a flat surface. This way, the ingredient will be firm when chopping it.

For Brunoise cutting for onions, follow these instructions:

• Cut the onion in half lengthwise, preserving the root;

• Make straight parallel cuts lengthwise;

• 1 or 2 parallel cuts horizontally, without reaching close to the root;

• In guillotine movements (from top to bottom), finish by making parallel cuts widthwise and remove the root.

3. Mastery of culinary techniques

One of the most important skills for a good cook is mastering culinary techniques. This involves several aspects, such as the ability to fry, cook, bake, sauté, and grill food. Another important point is the types of cuts: julienne, brunoise, chiffonade, among others. All these names should be at your fingertips!

Additionally, the ability to emulsify and reduce are other fundamental points for working with sauces and syrups, whether for sweet or savory recipes. Finally, paying attention to temperature, ensuring nothing is raw or burnt, are indispensable skills for a cook.

4. Understanding weights and measurements

Getting measurements exactly right is an indispensable skill for a cook. After all, for a recipe to turn out correctly as it was created, it's necessary to meticulously follow all ingredients in their appropriate measurements. For this, the cook needs to have items such as:

• Food scale;

• Measuring cups;

• Measuring pitchers.

Only with precise measuring tools can we ensure the recipe will be a success and not just an adaptation. Remember: every gram/ml matters!

5. Correct use of seasonings

Using the most appropriate seasonings requires knowledge of the flavor and aroma each one presents, as well as, of course, an understanding of possible pairings.

For example, a good cook understands that barbecue seasoning should pair well with red meat, without masking its natural flavor. Chicken seasoning, on the other hand, should be a bit stronger, as white meat has more difficulty absorbing the seasoning's flavor.

6. Planning at each stage of the process

Another indispensable skill on a cook's resume is the ability to organize the process in advance. In practice, this means listing the ingredients, preparation processes, and the time needed for each step. As simple as it may seem, this step allows for faster food preparation.

Furthermore, this also avoids possible unforeseen events, such as realizing an ingredient has run out and interrupting the preparation. Therefore, always try to prepare a list with ingredients, preparation method, and time before making any recipe.

7. Agility and efficiency

Generally, good cooks don't cook only for themselves; therefore, learning to manage time with agility is indispensable. Whether for head chefs or freelance cooks, the faster the dish is delivered to the customer, the greater their satisfaction. This also applies to those who don't work professionally with food but want to impress their guests.

To speed up the processes, it's important to practice the recipe beforehand, ensuring that nothing goes out of your control. Here, as we've already mentioned, planning also makes all the difference.

8. Ability to work in a team

Few cooks work completely alone. Especially in restaurants, this work is carried out by several people, all working harmoniously to achieve a satisfactory result. For this, the ability to communicate, follow instructions, and offer help when necessary are indispensable for a good cook.

9. Creativity and innovation

A good cook doesn't just rely on practical skills! To create amazing recipes that surprise everyone, whether guests or customers, it's necessary to add a touch of creativity and innovation. For this, always try to stay updated with industry news and trends.

Additionally, test new recipes and always bring a touch of novelty every time you repeat a preparation you are already familiar with.

10. Capacity for frequent learning

Making mistakes is normal; after all, no one is born knowing how to cook. The important thing is to understand these failures and improve them step by step. To expand your knowledge, take courses, workshops, attend lectures.

Don't just stick to the cookbook; look for videos, have good concentration in the kitchen, and your training will increase, making you an excellent cook. Know that new information is constantly emerging; seek it out!

We hope you enjoyed today's post and that it helped you understand the skills and competencies needed to become a good cook. Now, do you want to know how to light a barbecue like an expert? Check out the content!

See you in the next post!