Three Lessons in Creativity from Black Chefs

To dream up new dishes or just keep cooking, chefs have to find ways to bolster creativity. Cooking in and of itself represents a certain dichotomy; it’s a rigid process that involves precise measurements and preset allotments of time, yet at the same time, it’s an art form that involves the free-flowing exchange of creativity and innovation that is necessary to solve some of the industry's more complex problems. During your time in a culinary arts program, you will master the mechanics behind preparing meals but where does the soul come from? Here are some tips for finding inspiration in the kitchen:

1.      Don’t Force Creativity

When you are trying to decide what kind of dish you want to cook, it can be difficult to force yourself into coming up with a specific number of ideas before you even know what direction you want to head in. Trying to force creativity is going to usually backfire on you. One of the best things that you can do when trying to come up with new dishes is to allow your passion for cooking and creating great recipes to shine through and inspire the decisions that you make. Sometimes creativity comes easily but other times it takes patience, so if your creativity isn't at its peak during certain time periods then don't get discouraged because it will happen eventually!

2.      Take a look around for inspirational cues

Culinary art has always been compared to the arts - from dance to music! The elements, like the notes and chords of a song or the notes and details of a building structure, may provide skilled black chefs with inspirational cues for their own dishes. This is why fine dining restaurants have waiters who are well-versed in the arts and history. Meanwhile, when chefs need an idea for the color palette of a dish, they turn to painters - just as great artists do when they want inspiration for their canvas or materials. Just as in other arts, colors and lines are incredibly defining; so too will they become within culinary arts! The chef is so inspired by art that he teaches it himself at night while studying architectural practices during the day! For example, sketched drawings can be a great way to improve memory! Several studies have shown that drawing has helpful applications to our learning and concentration.

Great art comes from mastery. Mastery comes from deep specialization.

Mastery comes from deep specialization. Select a specific area of focus, and limit yourself to exploring only that area of focus for an extended period of time. You will need to develop unique skills in this area that are hard for competitors to easily replicate. Take any opportunity to master tools or techniques related to your specific area of mastery, and practice regularly so you can quickly incorporate these new skills into your daily workflow.

 

Just because a technique is old, doesn’t mean it’s obsolete.

Just because a technique is old, doesn’t mean it’s obsolete. You should have a sense of the history of time-tested techniques for cooking or for any new craft you learn. Look at how things have been done in the past and see what noteworthy procedures can be brought to bear on the issues you face today.

Techniques are not always new. There is usually an ongoing evolution of learning and knowing how to cook something better, faster, healthier, and more efficiently. Don't overlook older methods; sometimes they will help you excel at cooking delectable food today as suggested by Black chefs!

5.      Mixing Up Fancy Cocktails

Cocktails are versatile in nature. The right cocktails can go with any kind of food you're serving. A Warming Citrus Martini is quite versatile and a perfect drink to serve during the fall season when there's a chill in the air, while the Summer Sangria Cocktail will add a festive touch to your summer cookouts and parties. Both of these cocktails could be served on their own as welcome drinks to guests before dinner or as an appetizer for all sorts of finger foods that you've made yourself or bought from your local market.