Pages1 2

Author Topic: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??  (read 7,729 times)

AI Summary
The discussion centers around the practice of chefs banging their spoons against the pan during cooking, with various participants suggesting reasons for this technique. Some believe it helps remove sauce or spice from the spoon to ensure even cooking, while others think it may simply be a habit or a way to incorporate the caramelized bits from the pan. Overall, there is no definitive consensus, as opinions vary on the purpose of this action.

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic

Offline Derek Dansak

  • Spice Master Chef
  • *****
  • Posts: 610
  • Location: East Sussex - Hastings
why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« on: July 22, 2010, 11:14 AM »
I have observed 2 bir chefs knock the chef spoon very hard against the pan during the whole cooking process, every few minutes. The pans they use were very dented from this, and no longer round. It must be important, but why? i can only assume it stops things burning on the base of the pan? but could there be more to this technique than this? anyone know the answer?
Logged

Offline Ramirez

  • Spice Master Chef
  • *****
  • Posts: 611
  • Location: London
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2010, 11:27 AM »
I assumed it was an attempt to remove any sauce or spice from the spoon, to make sure everything was cooking.
Logged

Offline George

  • Jedi Curry Master
  • *********
  • Posts: 3,397
  • Location: Herts
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2010, 12:29 PM »
Quote from: Derek Dansak on July 22, 2010, 11:14 AM
I have observed 2 bir chefs knock the chef spoon very hard against the pan during the whole cooking process, every few minutes. The pans they use were very dented from this, and no longer round. It must be important, but why? i can only assume it stops things burning on the base of the pan? but could there be more to this technique than this? anyone know the answer?

I suggest it's no more than habit, a bit like when motorcyclists rev up their bikes for some kind of dramatic effect, rather than serving any real purpose.
Logged

Offline Cory Ander

  • Genius Curry Master
  • **********
  • Posts: 3,656
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2010, 12:33 PM »
I assumed they were clanging along to the dulcet tones of the sitars..... :P

More seriously, though, apart from being "habit", aren't they simply removing the caramelised crust from the edges of the pan (the tastiest bit!), removing it from the spoon (by banging it on the side of the pan), stirring it into the curry, and otherwise ensuring uniform heating and that nothing burns?  At least that's what I do when stir and clang....
Logged

Offline Derek Dansak

  • Spice Master Chef
  • *****
  • Posts: 610
  • Location: East Sussex - Hastings
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2010, 01:55 PM »
so, I am not the only one who clangs   :)
Logged

Offline Secret Santa

  • Genius Curry Master
  • **********
  • Posts: 3,606
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2010, 02:03 PM »
Quote from: Cory Ander on July 22, 2010, 12:33 PM
aren't they simply removing the caramelised crust from the edges of the pan

No!

Quoteremoving it from the spoon

Yes.

Quoteand otherwise ensuring uniform heating and that nothing burns

No!

Logged

Offline Cory Ander

  • Genius Curry Master
  • **********
  • Posts: 3,656
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2010, 02:10 PM »
Thank you for your erudite, thoughtful and emphatic response SS...but what about the sitars?  ::)
Logged

Offline Stephen Lindsay

  • Jedi Curry Master
  • *********
  • Posts: 2,648
  • Location: Dundee, Scotland
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2010, 05:52 PM »
Quote from: Ramirez on July 22, 2010, 11:27 AM
I assumed it was an attempt to remove any sauce or spice from the spoon, to make sure everything was cooking.

That's exactly what I thought
Logged

Offline joshallen2k

  • Elite Curry Master
  • *******
  • Posts: 1,184
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2010, 05:37 AM »
I always assumed it was to remove as much sauce as possible from the spoon, before using it to stir another, different curry.
Logged

Offline 976bar

  • Jedi Curry Master
  • *********
  • Posts: 2,068
  • Location: Berkshire
Re: why do bir chefs knock the chef spoon so hard against the pan ??
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2010, 04:55 PM »
If I were knocking out over 100 curries a day I would like to think I was banging something too!!!! ;)
Logged
Pages1 2