Photography: The Zen Water by Dark Patator

Ask almost any Chef when they first became interested in food, and the answer will almost always date back to their child hood. Some how some way a passion for working with ingredients to create something special was seeded in a Chef’s childhood. For me, it was the Gourmet Glass of Water.

I realize at first that a Gourmet Glass of Water sounds silly. Many people’s first thought would be an attempt to identify the main ingredient, clearly water. Ideas of cold spring water from a place where the mountains grow tall, the women are blond, and a secret source of water not yet packaged in plastic 20oz single serving bottles are conjured. Well, for me none of this is true.

First let me present an idea of food that many of us have in common.

The motion of eating serves two purposes.

1. To fuel our bodies
2. To have an experience

The first purpose is something easily done in America, we are lucky to afford that luxury. Often times a quick stop to the closest McDonald’s drive through can fulfill this purpose. However, when these two purposes are combined, we are then not only merely eating for survival reasons but we are eating also to entice and excite our senses.

“As you let the water overflow from the glass you can see the air bubbles circulate and the stream of water almost hits the bottom of the glass.“

Try to imagine yourself in a beautiful restaurant with a close family member or loved one. The ceilings are high, and the chandeliers are large and intricate. The linens have no wrinkles, the silverware is gleaming, and the wait staff is well-dressed in black and white attire. You have an excellent glass of Pinot Noir in front of you and your conversation is filled with laughter. Your main dish arrives. It smells wonderful, the colors are vibrant, and both of you are ooo’ing and ahh’ing over the presentation of the food. As you begin to eat you feel the texture of the food and you sense the variety of flavors. Something in your mind goes, Yes!, this is wonderful!

Point: The more senses that are aroused when eating, the more memorable and enjoyable the experience will be.

Gourmet Glass of Water

Ingredients

1. Hot Summer Day - preferable above 85 F
2. Kitchen Sink
3. Tall and Clear Glass

Instructions

1. Be outside on a hot summer day for at least 1 hour, preferably doing some sort of physical activity.
2. Go inside and immediately locate a tall clear glass.
3. Turn the cold water on your kitchen sink on the highest & coldest setting
4. Fill the glass up with cold water, and let the water overflow while the water continues to fall into the glass. Do this for 20 seconds.
5. Now put the hand that is holding that glass under the cold water stream, while you continue to hold the glass in your hand. Do this for 20 seconds.
6. Put the glass back under the cold water stream for a quick couple of seconds.
7. Drink the whole glass of water with out stopping.

Explanation

You have been out in the heat for awhile and you have sweat dripping down your forehead. Your thirsty so you grab a glass and watch as you fill it up with water. As you let the water overflow from the glass you can see the air bubbles circulate and the stream of water almost hits the bottom of the glass. You can feel the glass getting colder as you hold it there. You put your hand under the stream to cool yourself off also. You top the glass off one more time just to make sure it is cold as possible and entirely full. As you raise the glass to your mouth water drips all over your yourself and runs down your arm. Your thirst is greedy and you drink the entire glass without stopping and slight chill goes through your body from the sudden intake of something so cold.

And that is how I became a Chef.