Having an auntie who’s won countless industry awards for her food, including a coveted Michelin star, definitely has its advantages, and that’s not just being cooked the most amazing meals whilst over to visit
Do not even get me started on her Christmas dinners.
The amazing meals are only one of the many amazing things she’ll do for her favourite nephew.
So, about six months ago, I called and said: Fran (she doesn’t like the prefix auntie, makes her feel old) I’ve started a blog, could I interview you, talk about your career and maybe the trials of making it as a female in a male dominated industry?
She went silent for a couple of seconds, then she hit me with: nobody wants to hear about me, but I’ll go one better.
I thought she’d forgotten about it, until last Saturday, when she rang me, telling me to expect a call from an unknown number in the next few hours, as none other than Gordon Ramsay, my culinary, business and lifestyle hero and inspiration for not giving a F what people think, would be calling me for a chat.
Here’s how it went.
Alright, big boy, let’s talk about air fryers, shall we? Now, I know what you’re thinking. "Gordon Ramsay, king of the kitchen, getting excited about a glorified toaster oven?"
Well,listenup, because I’m about to blow your mind.First off, let me tell you, I love a good gadget in the kitchen. Anything that makes my life easier and helps me whip up delicious dishes in half the time is a winner in my book.
And that’s where air fryers come in. These little beauties are like having a mini kitchen wizard right on your countertop.Now, I’ve got one at home, and let me tell you, it’s a f*cking game-changer. Crispy fries with just a fraction of the oil? Sign me up. Perfectly golden chicken wings that rival anything you’d get at a sports bar? Yes, please.
And don’t even get me started on the wonders it does for veggies. Roasted Brussels sprouts that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside? It’s enough to make you want to kiss the thing.But here’s the kicker, bud. Imagine if I could use these bad boys in all my restaurants.
Can you imagine the possibilities? Crispy, succulent chicken without the need for gallons of oil. Perfectly charred vegetables that retain their natural flavor and crunch.
The potential is endless.Sure, some purists might turn their noses up at the idea of using an air fryer in a professional kitchen.
But let me tell you, flavor knows no bounds. And if I can achieve the same level of taste and texture with a fraction of the fat and calories, then why the bloody hell not?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should ditch the traditional methods altogether. There’s a time and a place for deep-frying, and I’ll be damned if I ever give up my beloved cast-iron skillet. But there’s something to be said for innovation in the kitchen, and air fryers are leading the charge.
And let’s talk about convenience, shall we? In a busy restaurant kitchen, every second counts. With an air fryer, I can whip up a batch of crispy calamari or fish and chips in minutes, freeing up valuable time to focus on the more intricate dishes.
It’s like having an extra pair of hands in the kitchen, and let me tell you, big boy, every chef could use a few more of those.
Now, if there’s one gripe I have with air fryers, it’s that they’re just too damn small. Seriously, who came up with these tiny baskets? I’ve got a kitchen full of hungry customers, and I need equipment that can keep up with demand. If they could make air fryers the size of industrial deep fryers, I’d be the first in line to buy one.But until that day comes, I’ll just have to make do with my trusty countertop model at home.
And let me tell you, it’s more than up to the task. So the next time you’re thinking about cooking up a storm in the kitchen, do yourself a favor and give an air fryer a try.
I mean, if its good enough for me…
f*ck me, is that the time, I’m still on LA time, we’re going to have call it here young man. Good luck with your blog. Over to Heathrow (Airport) for me in less than an hour. Kiss that beautiful Auntie of yours for me, and be good. See ya.
Well there was no need for me to be anxious about asking questions or sounding stupid. I barely got a chance to speak and I was absolutely fine with that. I could listen to the man talk all day long.
So there we have the five minutes that I’ll never forget.
I hope you enjoyed it, did it change your mind about air fryers? Or are you a convert already?
Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, happy writing!
