BY DAN HILDEBRAN AND AMBER J. CRAFT
Special to the Telegraph
Celebrity Chef Warren Caterson entertained and informed around a dozen audience members during his Chinese cuisine cooking class at the Bradford County Library on Wednesday, November 6.
Audience members received a brief history of Chinese cuisine, recommendations on cutlery, a complimentary copy of the recipe being made that day, and a food sample.
But before the Sarasota-based chef explained the ins and outs of Chinese cooking to the Bradford crowd, he first described the differences in table manners between dining rooms in Starke and Shanghai.
Caterson said belching and chewing with your mouth open is not only acceptable in the world’s second most populous country but encouraged. He said the practices demonstrate that guests are enjoying their meals.
“The only real taboo in Chinese cuisine and eating is don’t blow your nose,” he added. “That must be universal. The second one is don’t pass gas at the table. Again, that’s pretty much universal.”
The chef said the four main cooking techniques in China are chowing, which is stir-frying, steaming, deep frying, and looing, which is cooking in a broth at a low temperature.
Caterson added that while most chowing in China and at Chinese restaurants is done in a wok, he advises his students to stir-fry in a regular frying pan or skillet instead.
“The reason why is that woks are not made to be cooked on American stoves,” he explained. “When you see a wok in a Chinese restaurant or a Chinese home, that wok sits inside the coals, so the heat comes up on the side— real hot on the bottom— and the heat comes up on the side. You can’t get that on a stovetop. The only thing that gets really hot in a wok on a stovetop is the bottom.”
Make exquisite food at home
In an interview before the library workshop, Caterson explained his passion for cooking quality food while being mindful of your wallet.
“You can go to an expensive steak restaurant, order an $85 steak, and then every side item is an a la carte added charge,” the chef said. “I can show you how to make that same steak and side items for a fraction of the cost and in 10 to 15 minutes.”
The ability to make exquisite food at home gives people the opportunity to taste things they may not otherwise have the travel time or budget to experience. It’s an opportunity to share time with family in the kitchen and make memories.
Chef Warren’s recipes are particularly attractive to the public because of the cost-efficient way he chooses his ingredients.
“You’ll be able to use the ingredients you buy more than once, and you’ll be able to find them in your local grocery stores,” he said.
Gourmet meals without the gourmet price
Chef Warren’s expertise extends beyond Chinese cuisine. He has over 65 different-themed cooking shows, many of which feature holiday-themed recipes and recipes from all over the world.
Caterson has been visiting the Bradford County Library for over a decade, delivering mouth-watering cooking shows for the public. He travels all over the state, cooking for the masses and providing original experiences to the public, including at food and wine festivals, home and garden shows, conventions, and other events across the country.
“I’m a people person,” he said. “I love people. I love getting in front of an audience and creating an experience for them, and having them leave with something that they can recreate themselves. Fast food is getting more expensive. Cooking gourmet meals without the gourmet price or exotic ingredients is the benefit.”
Chef Warren is also a full-time writer who studied at the Southeast Institute of Culinary Arts. He is the award-winning author of “Table for Two– The Cookbook for Couples,” “Table for Two– Back for Seconds,” and “Cooking Outside the Lines– Musings of an Extemporaneous Chef” (Winfield & Scott Press).
All can be found online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For an autographed copy, you can purchase his cookbooks directly from his website at www.ChefWarrenCaterson.com
As someone who grew up in a family that loved to cook and whose household on Long Island Sound bustled every weekend with dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors, he learned early on the benefit of good food and good drink with good friends.
He invites you to drop by if you’re ever in Sarasota. There’s always something cooking, and there’s always enough.
3 upcoming shows at the library
In addition to his November 6 appearance, Chef Warren will be at the Bradford County Library on the following dates:
Jan. 15: Indian Cuisine – Healthy, Simple, and Filled with Flavor. Find out why traditional Indian cuisine is not only layered with flavors and textures but is incredibly healthy as well.
Feb. 19: Cuban Cuisine – Robust and Tasty! Learn why this Spanish, Caribbean, and African-influenced cuisine is getting raves beyond the strongholds of Tampa and Miami.
March 26: Japanese Cuisine – Moving beyond Ramen Noodles! Learn the techniques of steaming and stir-frying that will help you create delicious recipes with wonderful textures, tastes, and aromas.
