Molecular Gastronomy

[chefjustinbasta]

I have researched molecular gastronomy to the point of mental meltdowns. With that, I am finding it hard to make a transition, or break into this field; and fully turn knowledge into pragmatic application. I have knowledge of the ingredients, processes, and scientific reactions but find it hard to actually go full force into this "new age" cuisine. Do i hire chemists, chemical physicists, a think tank of chefs as well? I have many ideas and try to utilize what i have learned and transfer it into my daily work but come up short. How does a restaurant like Moto in Chicago go from cooking to using class 4 lasers and anti griddles? There is a HUGE gap. Where is it? I am asking anyone for any thoughts, advice or direction so that i may further myself and achieve what i have in mind.

thank you,

chef justin basta

[MikeTMD]

I have researched molecular gastronomy to the point of mental meltdowns.  With that, I am finding it hard to make a transition, or break into this field; and fully turn knowledge into pragmatic application.  I have knowledge of the ingredients, processes, and scientific reactions but find it hard to actually go full force into this "new age" cuisine.  Do i hire chemists, chemical physicists, a think tank of chefs as well?  I have many ideas and try to utilize what i have learned and transfer it into my daily work but come up short.  How does a restaurant like Moto in Chicago go from cooking to using class 4 lasers and anti griddles?  There is a HUGE gap.  Where is it?  I am asking anyone for any thoughts, advice or direction so that i may further myself and achieve what i have in mind. 

thank you,

chef justin basta

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Chef,

I don't know if switch to molecular gastronomy is at all justified. It's very much in-fashion right now - no doubt, but I question if it's going to be just that ... a fashionable trend, and, like many other trends, a short-lived one at best.

Molecular gastronomy is impressive, indeed. So are other chemical experiments... Quite frankly, MG is "edible chemistry" in it's earnest, but I just don't see a family having dinner at a lab table, and I don't see chemicals at a festive gathering with food and wine... except, perhaps fireworks.

So, why should we cook on anti-griddles, use liquid nitrogen, and jelly-foam everything??? I don't think we should....

[chefjustinbasta]

Chef,

I don't know if switch to molecular gastronomy is at all justified.  It's very much in-fashion right now - no doubt, but I question if it's going to be just that ... a fashionable trend, and, like many other trends, a short-lived one at best.

Molecular gastronomy is impressive, indeed. So are other chemical experiments... Quite frankly, MG is "edible chemistry" in it's earnest, but I just don't see a family having dinner at a lab table, and I don't see chemicals at a festive gathering with food and wine... except, perhaps fireworks.

So, why should we cook on anti-griddles, use liquid nitrogen, and jelly-foam everything???  I don't think we should....

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The route in this field i am taking is more about the science of flavor and not so much the grandure of elaborate levitating lentils. I am more interested in food synergies and flavor assimilations. Flavor pairings if you will using new processes and scientific steps in doing so. Textures are able to be played with as well and its not so much of "i want to be new and different" thing, its more of how and ingredient can progress when scientific processes are applied that were never even explored. Take for instance sous vide cooking and no malliard reaction. What if there was a way for sous vide cooking to have the flavor and color of malliard reaction........, that sort of thing. Yes i am interested in the whole "fad" type of the cuisine but i would like to learn that as a base and transform IT .

Something in my head along the lines of using something for the good like a superpower if you will (sorry best parallel i could think of.) I know molec gastronomy has many negative connotations but if used correctly i belive it can benefit food. I am happily open to any and all opinions and i certainly value yours, its just i feel that food, espically in fusion cooking is progressing and i think that fusion at its best can be used as a base to move foward again.

any thoughts?

[Mikeb19]

Take for instance sous vide cooking and no malliard reaction.  What if there was a way for sous vide cooking to have the flavor and color of malliard reaction........, that sort of thing. 

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This is why we cook some items in 2 or more stages, combining different techniques. In the case of sous-vide cooking, we'll cook it at low temperature first, then take it out of the bag and grill/sear it. Or maybe we'll sear it first, then cook it sous-vide, then take it out and glaze it. And so on.

Honestly, I'm not that fond of novelty. I mean, I'll use plenty of modern techniques in my cooking, make use of all my know-how, but I prefer simple, hearty, down to earth dishes. I grew up quite poor, so for me it's important when I do go out and do my own restaurant, that it be accessible.

That being said, how do you get into the 'scene'? Own your own restaurant, create hype around yourself, market yourself, and hope your 'creations' are as tasty as they are wierd. Oh yeah, and become a pastry chef. Seriously. Understanding pastry techniques is huge. So much of this 'style' of cuisine borrows from the pastry side of things.

[chefjustinbasta]

Take for instance sous vide cooking and no malliard reaction.  What if there was a way for sous vide cooking to have the flavor and color of malliard reaction........, that sort of thing. 

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This is why we cook some items in 2 or more stages, combining different techniques. In the case of sous-vide cooking, we'll cook it at low temperature first, then take it out of the bag and grill/sear it. Or maybe we'll sear it first, then cook it sous-vide, then take it out and glaze it. And so on.

Honestly, I'm not that fond of novelty. I mean, I'll use plenty of modern techniques in my cooking, make use of all my know-how, but I prefer simple, hearty, down to earth dishes. I grew up quite poor, so for me it's important when I do go out and do my own restaurant, that it be accessible.

That being said, how do you get into the 'scene'? Own your own restaurant, create hype around yourself, market yourself, and hope your 'creations' are as tasty as they are wierd. Oh yeah, and become a pastry chef. Seriously. Understanding pastry techniques is huge. So much of this 'style' of cuisine borrows from the pastry side of things.

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The "scene" is great but again i am really interested in food as a whole on a scientific level. Pastry is indeed one of the staples when it comes to techniques that are able to be applied to many dishes both sweet and savory. I just think maybe i phrased my question or inquery the wrong way.

Maybe i should be more of a lab chef that tests dishes in test kitchens for large companys for extreme volume? I absolutely love what i do but i am extremely fasinated by the science... action, reaction, why, how do i take this information and be able to apply to new? .... thoughts????? ...........

[TheSwede]

A concrete suggestion: Start playing with new textures. Perhaps familiar tastes but presented in a new textural form. Combine that with some unusual flavour pairings and some new tableware and you are halfway there.

I don't really know if there is a thing like molecular gastronomy cuisine. Rather it is a range of techniques that you can use for whatever purpose suits you.

Edited February 5, 2008 by TheSwede (log)

[BrandonPHX]

I think you'd have an easier time figuring out what to do if you laid out some goals. Start with a mission statement, figure out what it is that you are trying to accomplish.

It seems to me that several different practices get lumped into the term molecular gastronomy:

1. Gaining an understanding of the science of cooking and flavor and then using that knowledge to do what you've always done, but do it better.

2. Combing flavors that aren't typically associated with each other.

3. Changing the texture of food in unexpected ways.

Once you know where you want to go, you can start playing with recipes from there.

[mkayahara]

The "scene" is great but again i am really interested in food as a whole on a scientific level.

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Have you considered doing a university degree or certificate program in food science? If it's really the science you're interested in - and not the culinary applications, or "scene" - that might be the most efficient (though not necessarily the most cost-effective) approach.

[nhconner]

I may be off here, but my suggestion is to use what you know and incorporate creative new techniques where they fit into what you are good at cooking. Just opening a molecular gastronomy restaurant for the sake of it seems too trendy and silly. The food at Alenia, WD-50, El Bulli and Cellar Can Roca all tastes different and takes on the style of the chef. Do they use new techniques, chemicals and lab equipment? Yes, but they also have a style, whether is Catalan or French, Tapa or Fusion.

I cook in the home and I am always interested in something new, so I read and learn about molecular gastronomy. Is my style of cooking molecular, no, but I did serve a amuse of melon spheres with jamon powder before my roast chicken with dried fruits. I could have served melon wrapped with jamon serano, a classic, but I used a new technique to mix it up. This does not answer your question, but might be relevant to the way you are thinking.

Molecular gastronomy, has always been around, it is just a buzz word now because many newer great restaurants are having fun discovering and featuring new textures and flavors. When the label molecular gastronomy restaurant fades, the techniques will still be around and we will all be better off, even if we had to try some cuttlefish noodles with liquorish foam and uni powder. Hmm that sounds kind of good, off to the kitchen.

Nate

Edited February 5, 2008 by nhconner (log)

[MikeTMD]

I have many doubts about how long molecular gastronomy is going to last on the top of things to do in the kitchen. Should we all switch to MG, or should we let our own skills, talent and creativity lead us some place else? An unchartered territory, perhaps? Better yet, why not try to perfect one, may be two dishes? Better still, there is food that is simply forever, why not improve that?

One thing is certain to me - I don't need a chemist in the kitchen. I want to cook from my heart.

[Tri2Cook]

One thing is certain to me - I don't need a chemist in the kitchen. I want to cook from my heart.

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I don't think one excludes the other. It's possible to use the latest equipment, ingredients, techniques, flavor combinations, etc. from the heart and it's also possible to bang out classic dishes without caring at all. Restaurants that focus mainly on the wow factor of it all may or may not fall victim to the trends but the ideas they are making happen will influence the food world for a long time to come in my opinon. Although, I sincerely hope I never see a McFoie with Cheese Caviars and supersize French Fry Consomme with Ketchup Foam.

[chefjustinbasta]

One thing is certain to me - I don't need a chemist in the kitchen. I want to cook from my heart.

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I don't think one excludes the other. It's possible to use the latest equipment, ingredients, techniques, flavor combinations, etc. from the heart and it's also possible to bang out classic dishes without caring at all. Restaurants that focus mainly on the wow factor of it all may or may not fall victim to the trends but the ideas they are making happen will influence the food world for a long time to come in my opinon. Although, I sincerely hope I never see a McFoie with Cheese Caviars and supersize French Fry Consomme with Ketchup Foam.

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Well put try2cook. Exactly. I again am not trying to follow trends. I am just trying to use exact science in order to achieve spot on results. For instance a chapter on "Softening Lentils" by Herve' This in his book "Molecular Gastronomy the Science of Flavor" discusses the processes of achieving a perfect lentil by using exact sciences. It discusses the hardness of water and how to change that to achieve perfection using Sodium Bicarbonates & time and tempature rules discussing exact tempatures that directly effect the proportion of lentils that are ruptured to the lentils left intact varying on the tempatures involed and the time it took in order to "cook" the lentils themselvs. When applied this can be very useful as you can precisely dertimine using EXACT SCIENCES when your "lentils" are finished.... this is without worry or done with checks apon checks of your product for consistancy. Is that a "trend"????? No. Is that trial by error, yes. It enables me to go to work in the morning, set my lentils to temp and maybe even time via timer and it leaves me with no back of the mind worry allowing me to work on other things & being able to come back to perfection. I think somone above was right when they suggested a food sciences degree for me.

[wallchef]

  Take for instance sous vide cooking and no malliard reaction.  What if there was a way for sous vide cooking to have the flavor and color of malliard reaction........, that sort of thing.

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You may have done a lot of research, but not enough. A maillard reaction happens a much lower temperatures than you think. You can achieve a maillard reaction using sous vide technology. Check out La Cocina al Vacio by Joan Roca and Salvador Brugues for further information.

Edited February 7, 2008 by wallchef (log)

[mkayahara]

You may have done a lot of research, but not enough. A malliard reaction happens a much lower temperatures than you think. You can achieve a malliard reaction using sous vide technology. Check out La Cocina al Vacio by Joan Roca and Salvador Brugues for further information.

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I was always under the impression that Maillard reactions required temperatures above the boiling point of water, but my handy-dandy copy of McGee's On Food and Cooking says that this is not always the case. Interesting! I learned something today.

In any case, the Joan Roca and Salvador Brugués book appears to be available in English translation under the title Sous Vide Cuisine.

[pounce]

I think this WikiPedia article is pretty good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_gastronomy

[chefjustinbasta]

i have done little research on sous vide cooking and i was just trying to make a parallel. By the way Malliard Reaction is 338 degrees F. Thanks all for the feedback as i am enjoying all the views on this.

[wallchef]

You are very incorrect to state that Maillard Reaction starts at 338 degrees. Maillard reaction can happen at room temperature, even below.

[chefjustinbasta]

i misspoke. a rushed thought sometimes leads to defeat Carmilization was what i had in mind.

[wallchef]

No worries, as Marco Pierre White would say, "We are all commis." We all have something to learn. Keep on researching, keep your ideas fresh.

[hlblundell]

Look up anything about Ferran Adrià.