The Chef's Notes Podcast

Holiday Secrets - Getting Out Of December Alive

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Get through the holiday season with these two techniques that we use every day in the restaurant industry.

Questions of the week ep. 7

01 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week I will be answering questions about polenta, gluten-free croutons, whether or not I have ever worked in a hospital and more! Check it out!

Everything I Know About Steak

30 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What steak is right for you? How do you cook a steak at home? What's the difference between a strip loin and a sirloin? Get all the answers and much m...

A brief history of chickens

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

There is much we know and much we don't know about chickens. Find it all right here

How to make Velouté and its derivatives

28 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The third episode on our mother sauce series. Velouté is one of the five classic mother sauces. Learn all about it right here.

A Brief History Of Ravioli

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know where your ravioli comes from? The answer may surprise you...

Google Autocomplete "How do you cook?"

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode I will be answering Google Autocomplete questions about cooking. We will be talking about how to cook beets, eggplant, Bok Choy and...

Questions Of The Week Ep. 6

24 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week I will be answering the most common questions I get asked.

Everything I know About Stew

23 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

No matter what type of stew you want to make there are a few hard and fast rules that remain true. Here is everything I know about stew

A brief history of smoked salmon

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From native Americans, to ancient Vikings, to 7th century Poland, the process of smoking salmon remains largely unchanged. Here is everything you ever...

How to make Bechamel Sauce

21 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One of the five classic mother sauces Bechamel is versatile and delicious. Learn all about it and it's derivative sauces right here

A brief history of Chef's knives

20 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

All about knives. Different styles, where they come from and what to look for when buying knives.

The food of Northern Italy

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What you know about Italian food is only half the story.

Questions Of The Week Ep. 5

17 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week I will be answering questions about homemade pasta, liquid smoke, mustard barbecue sauce and more.

Everything I Know About Lasagna

16 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Every one loves lasagna. But is there a way that you're lasagna could be even better than it already is? This is everything I know about lasagna

A Brief History Of Gnocchi

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is it true that gnocchi is made with potatoes and flour? Kind of...

The Art Of Tomato Sauce

14 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tomato sauce isn't something that you just throw together. There is an art to it. How can you make the best sauce you've ever tasted? By listening to ...

A brief history of canned food

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For over 200 years canned food has played a pivotal roll in the lives of people around the world. Find out what you don't know about canned food.

The Food Of War

12 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today in honour of Remembrance Day, and the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI we are going to take a look at what our soldiers ate.

Questions Of The Week Ep. 4

10 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week I will be answering questions about butternut squash soup, cooking with pumpkin, and ranting a bit about bone broth.

The secrets of great homemade pizza.

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From dough to suace, meat to veg, and the all important cheese. Here is what I have learned over the years about making great homemade pizza

A brief history of sauerkraut

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Where do you think sauerkraut came from? Spoiler alert, you're probably wrong. What don't you know about sauerkraut?

7 tips that will change how you make bread forever

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you are an expert bread maker or someone who has only ever dreamed of making your own bread these tips will take you where you want to go.

A Brief History Of Mac & Cheese

06 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From the 14th century to the modern day, everyone loves mac and chees. But what you don't know about it may surprise you

Top 5 Things I like To Eat When I'm Sick

05 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What do you like to eat when you're sick? Here are my top five

A brief history of Kerr's Candy Molasses Kisses

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Love them or hate them this little Halloween gems aren't going anywhere any time soon.

Ribs, ribs, ribs! This episode is all about ribs!

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brined, braised, soaked and smoked. Ribs, ribs, ribs.

Everything I Know About Seafood Chowder

26 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A great seafood chowder can haunt you. It stays on your mind constantly asking the question "When will we meet again?" Can you make a chowder that goo...

A brief history of grapefruit

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You really won't believe this history of this strange fruit

A conversation about Reduction and how to concentrate flavour

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Reducing liquids to concentrate flavour is a powerful and valuable technique. Don't know what I'm talking about? Take a listen.

A brief history of soy sauce

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What don't you know about soy sauce?

Mashed Potato Secrets

22 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For too long mashed potatoes have been abused and ignored. It's their time to shine. Make your mashed potatoes the star of any dinner table.

The worst night of my career

19 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This is the story of the worst night of my career and how it's all Elton John's fault.

A brief history of Dortios

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Wipe off those cheesy fingers, brush the Dorito dust from your face, and get ready for some knowledge bombs of flavour. Today we are looking into the ...

Let's get saucy. The basics of sauce making

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today we break down how to make barbecue sauce and the most versatile sauce of them all, pan sauce

A brief history of pickels

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As you peer deep into the murky briny history of pickles your realize more about yourself than you cared to know...no I'm just joking. It's all about ...

Taking the fear out of trying new things

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What if there was a way that you could know everything you wanted to know about an ingredient before you bought it? What if everytime you saw somethin...

How do I cook...With Google Auto complete

12 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today I typed "how do I cook" into Google. It auto completed my question and gave me a bunch of options. I'm going to answer five of those auto comple...

A Brief History Of French Fries

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Who, what, where, and why? Find out everything I don't know about French Fries. Yes, everything I don't know.

I'm a personal chef. WTF does that mean?

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be a personal chef? What do I do for a living? Find out right here on Food In Five.

A brief history of carbonated water

09 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What don't you known about that little can of bubbles that makes your day complete?

How To Win Thanksgiving

05 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Thanksgiving can be stressful. You are cooking way more food than you are used to. And for way more people than you are used to. But use these tips fr...

A Brief History Of Pumpkin Pie

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today we learn all about this interesting history of pumpkin pie. How did this seasonal dessert transcend it's station in life and become a cultural i...

Turkey tips

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Two simple things that you can do to make your turkey better.

A Brief History Of Cranberry Sauce

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Where did this Thanksgiving staple come from? How is it made? And why do we only eat it with turkey?

Perfect pie crust everytime

01 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It is one week until Thanksgiving and so all week we will be talking everything Thanksgiving. Today is all about how to make perfect pie crust everyti...

My secret obsession

28 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We all have them. Things we don't commonly share about ourselves. Things that we are secretly obsessed with. Well, today I'm telling you mine

A brief history of coleslaw

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

First of all, do you even know what coleslaw is? You might now.

Good food Vs Great Food

26 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What's the difference between good food and great food? Let me share what I learned from my first fine dining job.

A brief history of corn syrup

25 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

There isn't too much to know about corn syrup, but what there is to know is contained within this podcast

Soup Secrets

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Everything you ever wanted to know about soup and so much more

Hello Fresh Meal-Kit Review

21 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From box to belly, here is what I think about Hello Fresh

A brief history of lemonade

20 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Did lemonade save Paris from the plague? How do those crazy Egyptians enjoy their lemonade? This and more in a brief history of lemonade

How to cook...

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today I answer Google's top five how to cook questions. How to cook lobster, mussels, quinoa, corn on the cob, and scallops

A Brief History Of Animal Crackers

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For over 200 years kids have been playing with their food and getting away with it. This is the story of Animal Crackers

Autumn; A Love Story

17 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Autumn is only a few short days away and with it comes so many of my favorite things

A brief history of the Dare Company

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

So much I didn't know about the company that makes my favourite cracker

Everything you ever wanted to know about polenta

12 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is polenta? Where did it come from? How do you make it? All of this will be answered and more as we talk about everything you need to know about ...

A Brief History Of The Tagine

11 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Unchanged for thousands of years the tagine has last for so long for one simple reason, it's awesome. What don't you know about the tagine??

My five favourite vegetarian meals

10 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Vegetarian food does not have to be boring. You may already be eating it and not even know it...say what?

The first thing I ever cooked

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This is the story of the first thing I ever cooked. Spoiler alert, it didn't go well.

A brief history of Hummus

06 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Wait until you hear about the hummus wars...

Knowing the basis

05 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it important to know the basics? So you don't get fleeced, that's why!

A Brief History Of Root Beer

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What don't you know about root beer.

Canadian Eggs - My day on a Canadian Egg Farm

31 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Everything I thought I knew about food production in Canada was wrong.

A brief history of the electric mixer

30 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You know that electric mixer that sits on your counter making baking a breeze. It's been around for longer than you think

Ideas can change the world

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

"no matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world" Robin Williams

A brief history of the meatloaf

28 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From ancient Rome to modern America and everywhere in between. Mom! Meatloaf!

What our food can tell us about ourselves and the passing of time

27 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can you taste history? Should we look to the past to solve modern food issues? What can the history of food tell us about ourselves?

The foundation of food

24 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Learn to cook foods from your favourite regions of the world by first learning this foundations of flavour.

A brief history of the breakfast sandwich

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How modern is this modern convince food? Wouldn't you like to know?

5 sauces that will change your life

22 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

These five sauces aren't complicated to make but they do pack a punch.

A brief history of restaurants

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The French did it, or at least that is what "they" would have you believe...

What you dont know about coffee

20 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Where does coffee come from? Who invented it? How is it made? And what makes it taste so damn good?

My gluten-free life

17 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Living as a person who can't handle gluten is difficult, being a chef that can't handle gluten is worse.

A brief history of chocolate chips

16 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What came first, the chocolate chip or the chocolate chip cookie? The answer may surprise you.

My driving force

15 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The story of what pushes me.

A brief history of Marshmallows

14 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

There is so much more to the little fluffy treat we use to make s'mores. I had no idea, do you?

5 Pasta Sauces You Need To Master

13 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of the same old sauce. Do you have the pasta blues, not any more! Master these five sauces and change how you eat pasta forever

How to make things taste good - All you need is love

10 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Master one of the most difficult cooking techniques, simplicity.

A brief history of yogurt

09 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For over 7000 years people have been enjoying the tart creaminess of yogurt. What don't you know about it.

What to eat when it's too hot to cook

08 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This summer has been unbearable. The heat is relentless. But you still want to eat well. Is there a solution? Would I have written all this if there w...

A brief history of chicken wings

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What don't you know about your favourite bar snack?

The art of entertaining

01 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Throwing a dinner party is a great way to spend time with friends. But don't fall into the common traps that make the night stressful

The Basics of Food Safety

30 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Food safety is everyone's responsibility. Make sure you know the Basics

5 Essential Spice Blends

27 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From Garam Masala, to Chinese Five Spice, even barbecue spice. What other spice blends should you be making yourself?

A brief history of instant coffee

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The idea and first attempts to create an instant coffee dates back as far as 1771. It's come a long way since then

The negative side of Food Trends

25 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What once was good is not bad and what once was bad is now good.

A brief history of mashed potatoes

24 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From Peru with love. Can potatoes give you leprosy? No, but a lot of people thought they could for a long time. That was until they tasted mashed pota...

5 quick cooking tips to start your week off right

23 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Avocados to lemons, bacon to corn, here are 5 quick cooking tips to get your week started.

5 commonly disliked foods

20 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why should you try to love foods you hate and how can you do it?

The Principles Of Emulsification

18 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Salad dressing, mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, hot dogs, and chocolate all have one thing in common... What could it be?

A brief history of butter

17 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From a beauty product to eye ointment to being spread on toast. This ten thousand year old condiment has seen it all. What don't you know about butter...

I'm sorry for f**king up

16 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

I am led you astray. I haven't really put myself in your shoes and I have been an idiot. I'm sorry.

The simplicity of cooking

13 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How to be a better cook and actually enjoy it

A Brief History Of Chopsticks

12 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One of the, if not the oldest eating utensils in the world other than the human hand. What don't you know about chopsticks? More than you think.

7 Life Lessons From The Restaurant Industry

11 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Over sixteen years working in restaurants has taught me a lot about life. Here are some of my most valuable lessons

A brief history of nutmeg

10 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is more valuable to the Dutch than New York city? Nutmeg of course

The boy and the applesauce

09 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On a hot summer day, down a dusty dirt road, you never know what you might find.

How Pork Belly Changed My Life

06 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The story of how one bit of pork belly turned my life around and changed everything