Just realized why that old chef gave me the look when I grabbed the salt

I was working the line at a busy spot in Portland last Friday, and the head chef stopped me mid-service as I reached for the salt cellar. He just stood there and said "taste it first, kid" without breaking eye contact. I took a bite of the sauce and it was already way too salty, would have ruined the whole batch. Does your kitchen have that one person who catches mistakes before they happen like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.elizabeth1mo ago

Honestly man, it's just salt. People act like a little extra sodium is the end of the world lol. I get tasting first is good practice but the drama feels a bit much for a kitchen.

elizabeth9001mo ago

dude, that's such a good story. my old pastry chef at the bakery on 63rd st would do the same thing with butter. i learned to stop, taste everything first, and then taste again. it saved my bacon more times than i can count.