Renowned chef and restaurateur Sau del Rosario believes that learning how to cook is one of the most practical skills anyone can have.
It may be intimidating, especially to a beginner, but the skill can be developed with a dash of common sense and a dollop of consistent practice.
Here are some of Chef Sau’s secrets to cooking like a professional.
Read the recipe
Before cooking, read through the recipe first. Doing so will help one know which ingredients need to be chopped and prepped early on. Having everything prepared before cooking will speed up cooking time and keep home cooks from getting frazzled or confused.
Add creativity to dishes
Being creative not only makes the food look appetizing but also makes the dining experience more exciting. For the Solane Kitchen Hero ambassador, this means being able to modernize a dish so it’s more relatable and appealing especially to young diners. Research how to tweak a classic dish or add new ingredients.
Get good ingredients
The chef believes that good food comes from good ingredients. “If the fish that you used isn’t fresh, you won’t be able to come up with a great tasting finished product,” he says. Chef Sau believes that if a cook is aiming for quality dishes, never skimp on quality ingredients.
Use Filipino ingredients
The essence of Filipino food is using local ingredients, according to Chef Sau. “We are rich in local resources and you should take advantage of whatever your region has to offer,” he recommends. For instance, use calamansi or dayap instead of lemon.
Find a story behind your dish
For Chef Sau, a dish becomes even more delicious if it’s made with love, and when there’s a story or meaning behind it. Food can also be a source of comfort as it can evoke nostalgia or provide sentimental value to someone.
