Why do chefs insist on cooking your food their way even though you asked for it another??

Question

I asked this question before, and couldn't get an intelligent answer. If I'm paying for it, cook it the way I want! For everyone who says that I'm ruining my filet, or I'm too ignorant to know better - well when I pay for you to eat my food, we'll cross that bridge. When I say well done, make it well done. For the record I've eaten at over 1200 restaurants in several countries and American restaurants are the worst when it comes to this. Just curious... am I wrong?

Answer 1

There is no excuse.

Full stop.

I'm with you all the way!!!

If you pay for it and even ask for it to be served raw, they should advise you against it, but comply with your demand!

Answer 2

Chefs spend time creating dishes, so it might be a little offensive if you ask them to change it.

Although when it comes to the degree of doneness, you are definately not wrong. When chefs do not cook a filet well done as you have asked, that shows a lack of respect.

True, the chef may think that a certain texture brings out a better flavor, but they should realize that while some people enjoy eating bloody steak, others don't.

Answer 3

Truth about chefs:
We think you don't know a good steak if you order it well done
We secretly wonder why you want the sauce on the side
We get annoyed when you want to sub out one ingredient in the dish for another
We'd prefer you not to make up your own meal by creating something that isnt offered on the menu
We will think you are cheap if you split a hamburger between you and your partner, or if you tip poorly without reason
If you send your plate back, we take it personally.

I'm not questioning your integrity or taste, but please understand that being a chef is a VERY PASSIONATE profession. Chefs are artists, and while not everyone understands artists, they appreciate them nonetheless. It's called Culinary Arts for a reason. We're creating masterpieces with food. If people like the creation, they don't hang it on the wall, they eat it.

The chefs that will take offense to your actions most likely are the creators of the dish. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for you, not only are they in the Culinary Artistry field, they are also in the Customer Service field. It boils down to the fact that no matter what they think, you the customer is always right. Cliche, I know, but true.

Things Chefs will not readily admit:
- You don't have to eat at their restaurant. You made a choice to eat there, and can leave if you choose.
- They're thrilled when you order their specials. Specials are a creative outlet that deviates from the normal menu. They're exciting, and new!
- They like knowing what you really think. We're never gonna get better if you don't honestly tell us what you think. If you hated it, don't be silent. Guaranteed 4 other people hated it too, but don't have the guts to tell us
- We know our servers aren't the brightest. Realize poor service should not reflect back on the quality of food.

Hope this helps you. Chefs just have to deal with incompetent waitstaff, cooks, and everyone else. By the time dinnertime rolls around, they've put in a full day of beatings and they're just frustrated. Give us a break, please. We appreciate you, seriously.

Answer 4

you are absolutely correct! you're paying, get it your way, bottom line. however, until that point there are a few things that people should consider; what kind of steak are you getting? a well done fillet is not really worth the price, compared to a rib eye that holds up nicely even when well done. Ostrich and buffalo are way too tough when over done, med well is just too much. Rib eyes, when done rare are too chewy. some people do not realize this. yes some chefs/ waiters are arrogant when explaining this, but they are doing what is told to them. steak tastes differently at different temperatures and some of the "flavor combinations" are meant to enhance the steak at that certain temperature (sauces- higher temps, cold veg- lower temps). i used to work in a restaurant and these are the things that we dealt with. you might be surprised at how many people say their meal was mediocre to bad when the waiter/ manager checks on "how is everything". let's go back to the bottom line. you should be able to get it ANY way you want after the second time of asking " how would you like that done". I personally get sick of the up selling at each course, but i used to do the same thing, so i am a bit more patient with them. remember, they are only trying to present and serve the best product that they can.
hope i answered the question.

Answer 5

I would say it is 100% arrogance, or ignorance. They cook, you pay they don't have any right to decide how you want your food cooked, if its not cooked to your liking I would say something and make them fix it. I used to be like yourself. If my steak had ANY red in it at all it would make me nauseous, I went to a steak house with my bf and asked about a chicken dish on the menu. The servers response to me was "this is a steak house" and he didn't tell me about the chicken dish. SO like my bf, I ordered prime rib, WELL done, NO PINK. I sent it back 4 times, they probably spit on it for all I know, but by the time I got it cooked the way I wanted it was so dry and gross I didn't eat it anyways. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have called a manager over and had them take care of my issue, and I would have ended up with a chicken dish.

Answer 6

Chefs assume if you want the meal your way, you would stay home and cook it yourself. We go to fine restaurants to experience new ideas, flavours and hopefully to "taste a different country." The really good chefs who've spent as many years learning to cook as a doctor has learning to cure have every right to feel insulted when a customer tells them to add catsup to Peking Duck. Americans raised on McDonald's, Arby's or Taco Bell are seen as culinary hackers at best and chef is only following the recipe the customer ordered from a menu.

Answer 7

That's a good question. There are TWO basic restaurant rules, the first one you're probably familiar with:

1) The customer is always right.
2) The cook is always right.

How can the customer AND the cook both be right at the same time and get what they want if they both don't agree? But, I do agree with you....you ARE paying for it!

Answer 8

maybe because, if they will do the way of cooking you asked for, the taste of the food you have ordered may not have a good product.. It will drive away costumers, because some may think that it is the chef's fault why the dish ends like that.

Answer 9

I think some chefs want you to have the very best flavor so they don't want to over cook it. I understand you want it cooked well the first time but you may need to send your dish back so they get the point that while you appreciate their culinary concern you like it YOUR way better.

Answer 10

They have an overinflated ego.
They think their sauces are wonderful.
Often the sauce spoils the food.
They cook using high fat,high salt and high sugar content.
Who knows how much MSG they throw in the pot?
They are aiming for the ultimate taste!
I would rather have a woman who has cooked for a family in the kitchen!
But they are hard to find!
I agree.
If I am paying I do not need to be insulted.
If you want my business cook it as requested!
Bravo!

Answer 11

i know some chefs will only fix a steak rare that is cooked one mintute on one side cooked one mintute on the other side that includes tuna and salmon steak they asked someone on the food network where they suppose to fix the steak how they wanted they answered a good ched would fix the steak the way the customer wants it fixed