Keitha

I've never used MSG but my mom had a container of it in her spice rack for YEARS until I pointed it out and she told me the last time she remembered using it we lived in Montreal (over 25 years ago)!!! However, I know that some restaurants use a product that is essentially MSG but is not called MSG and I've been trying to find out what it's called. Anyone have any ideas? One of the places I used to manage used it on the prime rib, pastas etc.

Why? ← I've asked this question to various people "in the know" and I could find no agreement. Some thought it was illegal and some just thought it was immoral. I started asking when I was a server who had a percentage taken off my cc tips. The owner felt justified and most of the servers had no idea it was wrong. That was the last place I ever worked where tips were deducted this way, but it was not the only place where I worked where the owners were less than honest. That said, I generally ask the server if they'll get the tip right away on the cc and if they'll get all of the tip. If they do, I'll leave it on my card. If not, I'll usually pay cash. :)

Hi there, I'm a newbie to posting here at eGullet but I thought this post was a great time to jump in. :) I fall somewhere in the middle with my mise - and it tends to depend on where/when I'm cooking. I'm a personal chef, so in clients' homes or in the commercial space I use, I'm pretty organized. I use little bowls and tend to pay closer attention to the recipe, especially since most of the time several things are cooking at once. When I'm at home though, it's not always the same story. I find I assume I have more things on hand than I actually do. I'll be positive I have sour cream in the fridge only to discover my husband used it to make nachos the night before... Also, I tend to be messier at home, but I think that's because I know I won't be stuck with scrubbing here. (If it doesn't go in the dishwasher, it's my husband's job to wash it since I did the cooking. That was the rule at his house growing up! How lucky am I.)