I still recall the first proper dish l ever tried to cook; it was a dish l saw in a cookery book. The outcome? Total disaster. It was exact opposite of delicious but that did not discourage me but made me more determine and the rest is history.

I had to share this experience because if you think you are a terrible cook because you have trouble making even normal fried rice, believe me that everyone started off from being an amateur.

I have always say it’s easy to become a great cook nowadays because of the availability of resources and information that is available everywhere. You could admire and follow the cooking style of a particular chef and don’t necessarily have to meet with them.



Everyone that is involved in the preparation of food can be called a cook but what makes you stand out from the rest is what l will be sharing with you.To take it to the next level you must work hard and have passion to achieve your dream.



(1) Cooking is a science. In science we mix every substance in the proper ratio. Same works in cooking. You mix different ingredients in the appropriate manner and check the dish every minute.



(2) To become a professional you have to look at cooking from the business point. You don’t necessarily have to cook for business but think in that line.



(3) You must always have your apron on and ensure your hair is covered. This is to ensure no hair particles is found in your cooking.



(4) Commit to practicing a particular recipe till you become perfect. Practice makes perfect and it’s only when you keep practicing that you reach the pinnacle of perfection. Once perfect in a particular dish you can now begin to play with your food. Add different spices here or there, substitute ingredients etc this would enable you see how good or bad they combine. Also challenge yourself in other ways.



(5) You must be creative in your cooking and presentation. Go out to restaurants and see how the meal is presented and taste. Watch food channels and blogs to follow step by step directions.



(6) You must be innovative. You don’t have to cook it the way everyone does. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Ask your friend’s to come around and try it and get there response to how it taste etc.



(7) You must be a quick learner and open to new ideas.



( Ensure you use your salt and pepper wisely. They are your best friend in the kitchen. While you try to lower your sodium intake, you need to use at least some when cooking because it brings out amazing flavors for your recipe.

(9) Know your flavors correctly to know where to apply. Understanding natural flavors of food will help you understand the character of a dish, which is essential to making good food.



(10) Don’t be afraid to make errors! The best cooks are those that make the most mistakes. It’s the best way to learn.



(11) Understand the ingredients you are working with i.e. what flavor does your garlic add to your recipe. How is cooking the leg part of a chicken different from the chest part etc. Everyday we learn new stuff. The only way to learn is experimentation and academic knowledge is not worth anything without practicalising with real food.



(12) Have your cooking book, internet, or whatever, but always have a trusted resource nearby when you are in the kitchen. This is to enable you quickly check if you are not sure of something.



(13) You must know how to use your knives on the cutting board. Know how to cut vegetables, fillet fish, and chicken etc. This makes you an all rounder cook and brings out the best in your presentation

(14) You must learn to become fast and punctual in your cooking. With constant practice this can be achieved and if you say dinner would be ready @6pm.lt should be so. Don’t keep your guests waiting and wondering when will it ever be ready.



(15)Keep your private life away from your cooking. This could affect your concentration and performance.



(16) You need to sit down at least once a week and plan out your meals and grocery lists. It saves you time and money, and makes you a more conscious and organized cook.



Lastly, you must learn to clean as you go. Although, some say it’s the worst part of cooking, but cleaning throughout the process, rather than at the end, makes it a much easier job.

@Rasojie, that was a nice post. I am very passionate about food and I think some of the suggestions would be of help to me. However, does being a professional always involve a formal education (in for example Catering?)

Food is food.Cooked by a professional or unprofessional, i eat and enjoy it. all na to shit

Just take me to a place where I can eat good food. No time for all these many do's n donts

Well i guess this post should be for the women and not guys.

Nice one. Thanks

The mistake i ve ever made in cooking is; forgetting to add oil to my Jollof rice n beans

I swear that was then i understood the value of Groundnut oil..

Abeg op rephrase o! Cos there is nothing common in cooking fried rice! Me I know how many times I had to retry just to get that taste,texture and colour of good fried rice right so pls its not common o! Nice piece anyway.

phaya: Just take me to a place where I can eat good food. No time for all these many do's n donts

And you will want a listening husband,abi,when you fail to prepare him good food?
I can assure you,be ready to accommodation a good cook(woman) as your husband second wife!
You better begin to learn how to cook now before it will be too late for you!
Shior!

This a nice piece op.

This ȋ̝̊̅§ a nice piece op.

I see cooking as art rather than science. It's my specialty.

Obiagelli: I see cooking as art rather than science. It's my specialty.

That's ok!!we all see things differently.

sucessful1:

That's ok!!we all see things differently.

Bro, dont see it differently oh...cooking is art. Though it may seem scientific.

Cooking is my specialty.kitchen na my department,me be the head of department.GO FOOD GO"EHEN ANYPROBlem"

great to have some additional information on cookery.i wil try the tips.

Yes cooking is more of an art than science.

Can't remember the last time i actually ate food that was cooked at home?

Unless you can cook better than the eatery where i eat, don't ask me to cook at home

Well said

The OP try sha bt i no dey follow all this rules becos i hav neva and i will neva...Thank God,nobody dey follow me drag kitchen oooh ...Cooking na science ooh nt art becos na practical nt theory...My future wife no fit demo 4 me....

The last time I cook egusi soup with indomie flavor then I know catering school is wasting of time

Wahala dey oo. Al dis for cooking. Hmmmmmmmmmm

Thanks a lot. Cooking is both science and/or art, depending on the point of view! For me sha, its more art than science. @op the tips are awesome. Thanks a great deal.

sholay2011:
Bro, dont see it differently oh...cooking is art. Though it may seem scientific.

I see it as an art. Ask the french, you will know creativity is in cooking.

ifihearam: Well i guess this post should be for the women and not guys.

no it isn't.it's for both.especially the men and women who love cooking.and yes some men do love cooking

Bsmartt: great to have some additional information on cookery.i wil try the tips.

Try wat tips?inside that jollof rice

Lastly, you must learn to clean as you go. Although, some say it’s the worst part of cooking, but cleaning throughout the process, rather than at the end, makes it a much easier job.

I do this whenever I cook and like you said, it is easier that way.

My experience with cooking is that you should know the right proportion of mixing every ingredient. I've ate food that had complete stock but it wasn't delicious

sholay2011:
Bro, dont see it differently oh...cooking is art. Though it may seem scientific.

D op didn't say cooking is science,she said she saw it as science,does she not have right to her view?I've not expressed my view on d subject matter,bside I hate cooking.