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How do TV cooks stay so clean whilst cooking?

Marianne72

Even if I had an evening gown, as does Nigella, to cook in, it would be covered in flour, eggs and detritus by the time I'd finished. Jamie's jumpers never get a spec of cooking fat or lemon juice.  Gordon Ramsey looks as pristine as if he's in a surgical theatre. Even relaxed Nigel Slater looks as if he's just come out of the shower, even after chopping, frying and searing. So, why is my kitchen like a donkey's breakfast? Why is my apron smeared all the colours of the rainbow? Why is the floor covered in sesame and other seeds that get into cracks in the tiles where they rot as you can't get them out? And why, after all this hard work, am I not smiling, and most things never taste wonderful as apparently they do for every TV cook? 

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  • Marianne72 said:
    And why, after all this hard work, am I not smiling, and most things never taste wonderful as apparently they do for every TV cook? 

    I think there is a psychological element in this where the effort you put into the food loads it with a duty or return - ie you worked damn hard on it and it better taste awesome but it just tastes nice.

    If someone else made it for you then there is also a psychological element of emotion since they took the time and effort to make it for you and that makes it taste better in different ways in the pleasure centre of your brain.

    Marianne72 said:
    Even if I had an evening gown, as does Nigella, to cook in, it would be covered in flour, eggs and detritus by the time I'd finished.

    I wonder how many takes, session chefs and cleanup sessions are involved in these scenes. They want it to look effortless and perfect because it helps sell the series, the books that follow and the celebrity status of the cook. A lie if you will, but one the public want.

    All that said, with practice comes less likelihood of making a mess. You learn how to throw the flour in a way not to get it everywhere, how to crack an egg and not have it dripping snotty mess all the way to th bin, how to put in just enough effort to chop the onion using only the wrist action etc - and as these skills grow you make less mess.

    My advice is to embrace the chaos as every error is a lesson that you grow from. That and if you are cooking then make your partner agree to clean up and do the dishes as their part of the deal ...

  • in reply to Iain
    Iain said:
    as these skills grow

    I think at 72 I've reached the end of my growth older person. At least I have no partner to clear the mess or get annoyed about it!  I think I might buy a hazard suit instead of an apron!

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