Music has shown its extreme influence in the world of culinary expertise. Chefs around the world use the stress-easing nature that music obtains, to relieve the atmosphere in order to make tasty masterpieces. From the folk sounds of Country Music to the screamo, dark intensity of Heavy Metal, music proves to be the best ingredient.
Although stressful at times, there may be no better feeling than the combining of various flavours and tasty objects to conclude such indulging perfection. Throughout the world of spices, there are many different types of foods surrounding different cultures on the globe. Similar to music bringing people together, food has the same power. But what is music’s job in terms of cooking? Could music in fact, assist the kitchen in ways, regular people may not understand?
Musicians are Chefs, Chefs are Musicians
The life of a chef in parallel to a musician can be very similar. In terms of lifestyle, commonality between the two consists of late hours, schedules that are inconsistent or unusual, and working during holidays. But there are some distinct similarities that bring the two worlds together more effortlessly. Like a musician, a chef is also a performer. In order to conduct the best precision, maintaining levels of practice is apparent. After years of studying their craft, the chef conducts an overall understanding of how food interacts with one another. This notion can be seen through the eyes of a musician, as ongoing musical developments grow stronger overtime. Both chefs and musicians devote their life to their art. Through many sacrifices for mastery of technical skills and knowledge, the desire to experiment and expand their horizons, makes these entities pretty similar!
A chef rarely sticks to a certain dish or type of food. By learning various recipes and different foods from around the world, music has the same yearning. A musician trained in classical, may dabble into the world of acid jazz, to discover something new. Similar to the world of jazz, improvisational styling comes apparent in the world of cooking as well. Chefs may experiment with a dish to add an updated or unique tasting experience. Also, a musician and a chef could not do much without their artist tools. From the violin, to a knife and bowl, these artists must nurture and care for their objects of importance. Both artist fields have an audience. A chef cooks for the guest, while the musician performs for a loving crowd. Each in hopes for satisfaction and artistic excellence.
Through the eyes of an aspiring chef, the orchestra is like a kitchen. Similar to a restaurant kitchen, both arts need an atmosphere of well-organised structure in order to produce perfection. The members of the chef staff almost mirror the orchestra family. Through strict hierarchy along with experience, the chef is the conductor of flavour. Similar to the leader of the orchestra, the chef monitors the creation of his pieces on the kitchen floor. Both artist entities overall have to convey balance and harmony to structure and or create a masterpiece.
A Chef’s Love for Music
The kitchen is the stage for chefs around the world. With the knife as a microphone, chefs are able to express themselves through the outlet of food. With musical aid, according to TheGuardian.com, the genre that tends to sinks its thick teeth into the world of restaurant cuisine, is heavy metal! David Philpot of Paternoster Chop in London, UK for example, sticks to the grainy sounds of Metallica to purify the, at times stressful, atmosphere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlF4rhAbwyc
According to TusconFoodie.com, music helps as an aid for carrying out tasteful duties in the kitchen. For many chefs, music is an important factor in order to ease the mind or stressful tension of a hectic, busy Saturday night in the gleam of summer. Dee Buizer chef of Sendai Thai Bistro in Tucson, Arizona (United States) believes that: “music helps put everyone in good spirits and establishes a fast tempo to get the job done.”
Executive chef at Cielos At Lodge on The Desert, Adrian Castillo in Southern Arizona plays the heavy sounds of country to help the mood. Artists such as Luke Bryan and Randy Houser fill the air with good vibes for cooking time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALV-QtDFpSw
Renee Kreager of Renee’s Organic Oven, prefers to listen to the Pink Martini Station on the music streaming site, Pandora. Other artist such as Converge and Chelsea Wolfe cater to the head chef’s musical past in order to keep him connected to his strong roots in music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akG2cFldO6I
Owner and Executive Chef of Tamarind, Saumil Patel enjoys the vintage sounds of Frank Sinatra. He believed that the calming sounds keep everyone on staff in a good mood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_SixH-y8wI
Executive Chef of Tohono Chul Garden Bistro, John (J.P) Pratt plays Goodbye Horses by 1988 punk/ new wave artist Q Lazzarus on a 10-hour loop until the staff can’t take it anymore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKFaGDrOfrI
The art of culinary is a true passion for many around the world. This artistic expression combines an create chemistry of things that make people feel so warm and good inside! Regardless of the music choice, it is clearly apparent of the significance the melodic proportions of music, has a clear and concise influence on culinary success. These entities are on in the same, as they share commonalities that both create masterful treats.
Photo: Shutterstock
Music goes with more than just food. Check out this tasty combination:
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