Exploring gourmet meals and what makes them special
"There is no sincerer love than the love of food", and we couldn't agree more with George Bernard Shaw, whose quote is famously used by food lovers across the world.
If you love to cook then you will know that when you transform certain ingredients into spectacular dishes to impress your guests' palate, it's an overwhelming feeling.
Gourmet dishes that we see in restaurants, which almost always leave us excited, of course, require great skill and finesse to be perfect. But the truth is, if you are passionate about cooking, you can also create gourmet dishes in your kitchen.
What is gourmet and what is a gourmet meal?
When we talk about gourmet, it's not just about fancy meals in high-end restaurants. It's a way of enjoying and appreciating food at its best.
Gourmet is about choosing top-quality ingredients, being creative in the kitchen, and creating a memorable dining experience. It turns regular meals into something special, showing off the art of great cooking.
What are gourmet foods, and what is considered a gourmet meal? It's more than just any regular dish. It's an entire experience. In a gourmet meal, every single ingredient plays a leading role, and each flavour has its own story.
These meals are all about fully enjoying the best and richest tastes cooking has to offer. It's the point where a deep love for food meets the highest level of cooking skills.
The effect of gourmet-style cooking and plating has had such a major impact on everyday food, that people are making an effort to make the simplest of meals look gourmet and Instagram-perfect.
We have explored how much of an impact Instagram has had on food, with more people, foodies and even chefs, improving their plating skills so their food looks appetising.
Some of the simple dishes we have spotted on social media that have been given a gourmet upgrade include amagwinya (vetkoek) and chicken feet.
The first time I was introduced to gourmet vetkoeks was in 2017 at the now-closed Durban restaurant; Mavezi’s Corner Café.
When I spoke to one of the founders Lungile Mchunu, she said upon launching the restaurant they wanted to make the vetkoek more of a high street food, just like the hamburger, and that they wanted an Africanised takeaway to bring the vetkoek into the 21st century where our African foods are not thought of only as home-cooked meals, but also as street food.
Chef Siphokazi Mdlankomo is another foodie who always makes gourmet-fied vetkoeks at her home. Mdlankomo has made vetkoeks with all sorts of fillings but one of my favourite recipes of hers has to be the “chocolate stuffed vetkoek dusted with icing sugar”.
Earlier this year, while scrolling through Instagram I was also introduced to chicken heads and feet made gourmet-style at London-based Italian-inspired restaurant Manteca.
In many parts of the world, chicken feet are a culinary delicacy but you rarely find them being served gourmet-style at restaurants.
And this is probably why many people (myself included) were amazed by this restaurant's chicken feet and head dishes that are on their menu. On the menu, the dish is named “stuffed cockerel neck and leg”.
“Always a real pleasure to get hold of this kind of quality. We made a sausage from the meat with pork fat seasoned with thyme and garlic. Started in a pan with chicken fat and butter then finished gently at the mouth of the wood oven,” they noted.
You might be wondering how you can become a gourmet cook and make such interesting dishes.
If you love food, one of the best ways to indulge in your passion is to improve your very own cooking skills.
Whether you’ve got experience experimenting in the kitchen or you’re a total beginner, we have just the right recipe below to help you get on the path towards gourmet cooking.
Start with fresh ingredients whenever possible
Fresh produce and meat have the most refined flavour, so try to shop at local farmers’ markets or even cultivate your vegetables and herbs at home for the ultimate in fresh produce.
The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your dishes will taste, it’s that simple, and the same goes when cooking with wine, as a good wine can make or break your dish.
Travel abroad
If you're interested in creating dishes that are true to a region, consider travelling abroad. When in the country, you will taste the food, try local ingredients, and learn cultural dishes.
You will also see the difference between upscale classic cooking and rustic country dishes. While abroad, you may decide to enter a culinary school or apprentice under a local chef. Study abroad opportunities may also be found within formal programs.
Simplicity is key
A good dish doesn't always need many herbs. A great steak is a great steak, even if you just salt and pepper it. Layering flavours is key, but that doesn't mean you need a billion herbs to get a complex taste.
Sometimes a bit of fresh rosemary and some sea salt will do more for your steak than any combination of 20 herbs, and over-seasoned food is wasteful.
Always remember the golden rule. You can always add more, but with most things, you can hardly remove.
Cook with confidence
Gourmet chefs know that the key to cooking great dishes is to have confidence in their abilities. After all, if you don’t believe in your skills, how can you expect others to enjoy your food?
There will always be a time to make a few mistakes or two along the way but stick with it and put your trust in your instincts. With time and practice, you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time.