I got a compliment of sorts last night...

[AllenOK]

Every Sunday night at work we do a Spaghetti dinner buffet. I make the sauce (from scratch), cook the pasta, and make the garlic bread, while a different cook makes the salad bar for this buffet.

One of our "pickier" members came through last night. He says that he can't consume products with MSG. I've been working with him for over a year because of this. I was unaware that he came in and ate Sunday. All I heard was that 15 minutes before close, the manager working the dining room that night came in the tell the Chef that he said this was the best dinner that he had eaten in 30 years.

I did a little asking around, as I never saw his name pop up on a ticket. Yup, he ate the buffet.

I don't add anything that contains MSG to my foods unless I have no choice, mainly so this member doesn't have to restrict his diet.

It's nice to see that he enjoys my food, even if he's unaware of what I'm doing in the background.

[BamsBBQ]

i love compliments even at their smallest from picky eaters...

enjoy them, they come few and far between...WTG



as for msg, it is not healthy for you and shouldnt be used anyways...

but you cook for a living and know this already..

its just a flavor "enhancer" and other stuff can be put in its place...



http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_can_be_used_in_place_of_MSG


As an all-purpose substitute, fermented fish sauce is the best substitute. In the small quantities needed as a flavour enhancer it contributes little extra flavour to a dish other than the desired unami taste. It also contributes salt to the dish. Worcestershire sauce does much the same with a more complex flavour.

Soy sauce is best for Asian dishes.

Parmesan cheese for pastas and other Italian/Western cooking.

Tomato and Shiitaki mushrooms can play roles although they are not as ubiquitous in use as MSG or its concentrated substitutes.

If you want to avoid adding Glutamate altogether, remembering that it is a part of all proteins in every living cell, both plant and animal, you can focus on the other taste and mouthfeel aspects to mask the lack of unami in your dish.
Taste wise you can:


Add more salt to make you dish saltier.
Add more sugar, honey or caramel etc... to make it sweeter.
Add more lemon or fruit juice, tamarind, vinegar or wine to make it more acidic.
Note: Bitter and alkaline flavours aren't usually desirable but lime juice can give a very nice bitter tang and Bi-Carb Soda is sometimes used in food for its flavour.

Or introduce other mouthfeel elements such as:

Pepper and chilis to add spicy heat
Alcohol (strong spirits) to add warmth
Mint (menthol) to add a cooling sensation
Szechwan pepper to add a mouth-numbing sensation

[Maverick2272]

Very cool Allen, nice to hear that stuff especially since these days seems it comes few and far between.
Kudos and Karma!

[AllenOK]

Thanks guys!

In the past 4 days, one of our "VIP gripy" folks came in not once, but twice. They like to gripe about any little thing. Well, apparently, they were happy with the food both nights. They ate the Spaghetti as well.

All it takes to make for happy customers / full bellies is some knowledge about the food, attention to detail, and pride in craftsmanship.

[joec]

I think regardless of being a home cook or pro we all like people to like what we feed them. Sounds to me like your cooking is being appreciated. :thumb:

[jim_slagle]

That's great to hear. :thumb:

[PanchoHambre]

Allen your pride in your work always comes through in your writing about it. It has got to feel nice to be appreciated for it by the customers. I guess a country club sort of puts extra pressure on because you have lots of repeat customers who expect individual attention.

[larry_stewart]

Always nice to get a pat on the back. As we know, many people can be cranky, especially when it comes to food. So we got to take what we get when we get it...

[AllenOK]

Thanks everybody.

Yup, I know what's it's like to be cranky about food. I could rarely eat my MIL's cooking. She cooked to fill her stomach, not to enjoy it. We were constantly butting heads, as she insisted on foods that she wanted, and there was no compromise. I'm just as hard-headed. I want what I want, and am not usually willing to compromise on it as well.

[Mama]

Congratulations on some well deserved praise Allen! It always feels good when you're appreciated!

[sattie]

That is great Allen!!! Getting a bit of praise is always good moral booster!

[TexasGirl]

That's cool Allen!! It's nice when "picky" people eat our food.