25 Things Chefs Never Tell You

25 things chefs never tell you

Do restaurants recycle the bread basket? Are most of us bad tippers? Food Network Magazine surveyed chefs across the country — anonymously — to find out everything we’ve always wanted to know.

Chefs are pickier than you think.
Liver, sea urchin, tofu, eggplant, and oysters, of all things, topped the list of foods chefs hate most. Only 15% of chefs surveyed said they’d eat absolutely anything.

Still, chefs hate picky eaters.
More than 60% said requests for substitutions are annoying. Some of their biggest pet peeves: When customers pretend to be allergic to an ingredient, and when vegetarians make up rules, like “a little chicken stock is OK.”

When eating out in other restaurants, chefs say they avoid pasta and chicken.
Why? These dishes are often the most overpriced (and least interesting) on the menu. Said one chef, “I won’t pay $24 for half a chicken breast.” Said another, “I want something I can’t make myself.”

Chefs have expensive taste.
The restaurant chefs most often cited as the best in the country was The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley. It ought to be — dinner there is $240 per person, before wine.

...and yet they like fast food. Read More...

Cookwork's Perspective

The list has been started for "Things that chefs will never tell you," but can we add to this list? Do you have anything that you hate and isn't on the list? Share your comments below!

Source: Yahoo/Food Network Magazine

Photo: Getty Image

chefgrant

Oct 22, 2011 17:48 CDT

Personally the picky complainer is a customer giving us another chance.. we only grow as chefs when we are striving to do even better then we set out to do. While I understand the frusteration of the customer who obviously just wants a comped meal. But sometimes we truely make mistakes.. We need to try to keep moving ahead and and keep trying harder. Keep raising the bar. Good cooking to all....

RedneckChef

Jan 7, 2011 18:32 CST

I hate it when they ask for it to be cooked a certin way then when they get it it is either over or underdone.

campuschef

Dec 30, 2010 00:10 CST

When at a restaurant, my children cringe if I send back a food item. They state that I will receive a "Loogie Special". While I know that this does happen at some establishments, and that sometimes the cook will behave poorly, I have to hold onto the hope that the majority of working professionals will behave as such, and fix the issue at hand in an equally professional manner.

I do agree with Stashdragon, that i also find it very annoying when the individual has consumed most of the meal, only to demand a new plate. I do think that the only thing worse that the customer could do after that point, is to receive the replacement meal, and ask for a doggie bag!!!