To some, the kitchen can feel a bit intimidating. Cooking expertise and the best methods take time, practice, and lots of patience, after all, cooking is an art form. While some people have a natural talent for creating delicious dishes, others need to work a little more to develop their cooking skills. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just getting started, there are always opportunities to learn something new.

The following are some Chef inspired tips from our very own in-house Chef, Matthew, that will help you get started in the kitchen. As a chef, Matthew has learned many tips and tricks that have helped him improve his cooking skills over the years. In this blog, we will share some of his tips and hope it inspires you to dive in and explore cooking.

Tip #1 Chef Inspired Flavors

One of the most important tips in cooking is to use fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients will always have better flavor, texture, and nutritional value. You’ll be able to taste the difference. Luckily, here at Stater Bros., we have all the fresh ingredients you need to get started!

Tip #2 Prep Your Cutting Board

This tip may seem obvious; however, it is something that can often be overlooked. Setting up your cutting board so that it doesn’t move is essential. A cutting board that moves while you are cutting can potentially be dangerous. To avoid any unexpected accidents, there are a few things you can do. Look to see if your cutting board has a non-slip surface, or you can place a damp towel underneath the board to stabilize it. Having a stable surface to work on is necessary and an easy tip to follow.

Tip #3 Sharp Knives

The next tip is to always use a sharp knife. This step is necessary to make clean cuts and keep the board stable. Additionally, having a sharp knife will help make the cutting process easier and faster and improve your cutting technique. A sharpened knife will cut with ease, reducing the risk of accidents. This tip will also give you precise cuts with better cutting results. When a knife is sharp, it will cut through the food cleanly and reduce bruising from happening on your food.

Note: Never leave a knife pilled on top of dishes in your sink. Rinse sharp knives right away or set them aside where they are visible. This can help prevent any accident from happening.

Tip #4 Kitchen Scraps Bowl

This fourth tip can help you keep and maintain a clean and organized workstation. Using a kitchen scrap bowl will allow you to easily dispose of unwanted scraps and pieces, so you have a clear area to work on. This will also help you save some clean-up time in the end because you will be clearing the area as you go. Lastly, it will also save you from constantly moving back and forth and throwing away trash, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

Tips #5 Seasoning Best Practices

Proper seasoning is key to bringing out flavors in your dishes. It’s an essential aspect of cooking and can set your dish apart from others. Have you ever wondered why chefs season their food from up high? This tip has a purpose and isn’t just a fancy way of seasoning. Seasoning from a higher level is a great way to distribute the seasoning evenly and ensure that all parts of the dish are properly coated. Gently move your arm back and forth to distribute seasoning evenly. Start seasoning with a light hand, you can always add more as you go. If you go too strong, then you risk over-seasoning. Also, rather than dumping all your seasoning onto the dish at once, season in layers. This will help ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed. Lastly, always taste and adjust as needed to get the perfect taste.

I hope you found these chef tips helpful. Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t forget you pick-up all your fresh ingredients from a Stater Bros. near you, or shop online at Staterbros.com.