could you recommend the best places for me to go please?
I'm kind of there mate with what I'm cooking, but it's lacking something I cant put my finger on.
cmars71,
it's near impossible. a good while ago Bruce Edwards posted real good info. his parting comment was something like what i've just said. at the time i really could not believe it.
now i understand what he was getting at. when you read the different posts it becomes obvious that members all have different needs or gaps.
i have no gaps and sure quite a few of the members are the same. i'm currently trying to pin down what makes Best BIR. it's harder than BIR itself.
what to do:
ask lots of questions
search for info using the search facility
don't have pre conceived ideas ie keep your ears open
try to do the same all the time ie be consistent only changing 1 thing at a time
dont get sucked into dead ends
i think CA might have done a route map which others might be able to point you at.
it wont be easy and will take some time (at least 1 yr). for example 1 of my most difficult gaps to crack was salt - getting the right proportion per portion. i now use 0.5 tsp per portion in the base and don't add at dish fry. others add little to the base and add at dish fry - doing this you need 0.75 tsp per portion in total.
break it down into the key areas:
base
technique
mix powder
recipe
equipment
it should be very easy to get 85% there straight away to then find a 5% gap left that wont budge. gradually as expertise increases this will go to.
the good nesw is you're in the right place.