On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:52:18 -0400, Kate Connally
> wrote:

>I don't think I can be a better cook than I already am. ;-) With the
>possible exception of making fried chicken. ;-)

Wow.

That is the exact opposite of what Thomas Keller expresses in his
striving for perfection in the craft of cooking. He is one the top
chefs in the world, and considered one of the absolute best, and he
always thinks he can do better. Maybe that is what makes him a
marvelous cook/chef.

And the same for other fantastic cooks and chefs.

I always strive to be a better cook than I already am. I know how to
do some things very, very well, but I can always learn to do it even
better. Each time I cook something, even if I have done it superbly
before, I strive to do it even better.

This is something that has been on my mind lately. I have wondered
why I am not always looking for the next best thing, or trying to
always gild the lily so to speak on various dishes. Or trying out a
new combination, although I sometimes do that. My feeling lately is
to try to perfect what I am good at..and when I tackle a new
technique, or recipe, to try to perfect that so that it comes out
better each time around. Or to perfect the flavor
combination...etc...

I have done that with making a Neapolitan type pizza. I am still
learning how to make it even better. I have been working that for
making the custard base for different ice creams, and now I use an
instant read thermometer to test when it is done. It has really cut
down on my agony of deciding whether it was close to being custard or
not. I am still working on this and variations.

I could go on and on with examples.

Okay, done with my rant...LOL

Christine