Food has the unique ability to transport us to different places. It brings back memories of childhood, of favourite people and unforgettable holidays. Even if you’re not a seasoned globe-trotter, the world can unfold on your dining table as you explore innovative dishes with a global twist.
Of course, mastering the perfect artisan pizza dough or the ability to create a beurre blanc that’s silky rather than split takes many hours of practice. Likewise, getting the perfect mix of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy essential to many Asian dishes is an art form in itself.
While practising these techniques can be a delightful kitchen adventure, the desire for instant global culinary delights can be fulfilled by a personal chef who can take you on an inspiring gastronomic journey every night of the week.
Which countries have the best gastronomy?
Asking any passionate private chef which country has the best gastronomy (or any enthusiastic foodie for that matter), is a little like asking them to choose a favourite child. How can any one person possibly choose between the cornucopia of modern flavours which we’re so fortunate to be able to enjoy today?
Thanks to the ease of travel and abundant access to the finest international foodstuffs (artisan Italian pastas and olive oils, French cheeses, Indian spices, Japanese gyozas, Mexican salsas, Ethiopian Injeras, Argentinian steaks …. we could go on), global flavours have never been so close to home. Selecting just one flavour profile seems impossible.
Nevertheless, certain countries stand out as undisputed leaders in culinary innovation, offering dishes that resonate across commercial kitchens, private chef domains, and the kitchens of enthusiastic home cooks.
France
France is, without question, the grand dame of gastronomy. From rustic cassoulets to the eponymous baguette, the saliva-inducing macaron to the iconic steak frites and moules marinière, there isn’t a chef or diner out there that hasn’t fallen in love with French gastronomy at one time or another.
French cuisine has been recognised by UNESCO for its intangible cultural heritage since 2010, and few would disagree. It’s the birthplace of classic sauces and its many rustic favourites are a masterclass in turning often humble ingredients into delectable dishes.
Ask your personal chef to serve up a rich boeuf bourguignon, onion soup or paper-thin crêpes to explore this lauded cuisine for yourself.
Italy
Regularly voted the best cuisine in the world, Italian dishes are a staple in many homes – and with good reason. Rooted in seasonal cuisine and good-quality ingredients, the food of Italy is diverse from north to south, with the gastronomy changing from hearty stews, soups, butter and rice dishes to delicate fish, luscious olive oil and vibrant vegetables in tandem with the landscape.
Your private chef is sure to have mastered risotto, pasta, and pizza if you’re tempted to bring la dolce vita to your dinner table.
Japan
The allure of the Orient is all too strong for many an ardent foodie. And with Japan officially home to some of the world’s longest living people, the versatile and varied food culture is obviously healthy and nutritious. Japanese sweet potatoes, the umami-rich miso, seaweed, and fish are flavoursome and wholesome – but if you want to really indulge in a Japanese night why not ask your personal chef to rustle up a warming bowl of ramen, create a colourful sushi platter or serve up moreish gyozas complete with array of dipping sauces?
Thailand
With layers of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy notes, plus an abundance of aromatic herbs, with chilli heat and myriad textures, Thai food is bright, colourful, complex and varied. Its dishes borrow from neighbouring nations, seamlessly bringing together the old and the new, the East and the South. Heavy on the vegetables and guaranteed to pack a flavour punch, Thai food is naturally nutritious.
Brighten up your dinner table by asking your private chef to put pad Thai, massaman curry, papaya salad or tom yum soup on the menu.
Mexico
Described as “elaborate and symbol laden” by UNESCO – which added Mexican food to its ‘Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ in 2010 – the dishes of this huge country are as varied and diverse as its landscapes, cultures, and people.
While we all know salsas and tortillas, the gastronomy of Mexico changes enormously from region to region. What remains the same is the produce; an endless variety of corn, plentiful fruits, incredible root vegetables, fish, pork, beans… from the sun-drenched Yucatan to the arid Central Mexican Plateau, there’s nowhere quite like Mexico when it comes to food culture.
Did you know that flour tortillas are more common in northern Mexico, while corn tortillas reign supreme in the south? If a long-haul flight isn’t on the cards right now, ask your private chef to put quesadillas, burritos, or fried fish tacos on the menu and take your tastebuds to Mexico.
India
From Goa’s endless beaches to the chaotic hustle and bustle of Mumbai or the serenity of Ladakh which rests in the shadow of the majestic Himalayas, India seemingly has a spot for all the senses. What’s more, it has a dish – or dozens – for every taste, too.
Unsurprisingly for such a country of endless heritage and contrast, Indian gastronomy is a lesson in the diverse. Influenced by its changing soil, landscapes, and medley of cultures, its dishes look distinct from one region to the other. Indian food makes careful use of fragrant spices – all the better to make vegetables the star of the show.
One of the areas where food really comes alive in India is on the streets. Experience that thrill at home by asking your personal chef to prepare a thali – an assortment of small dishes which perfectly balance flavour and texture. Typical components include rice, breads, pickles and chutneys, and vegetables. That could mean mopping up a gently spiced dal with a roti or spooning up some aloo gobi with a juicy morsel of tandoori chicken.
Spain
With seemingly endless days of sun and no long flight required, there’s little wonder that Spain is an enduring popular holiday destination for us Brits. But the number of tapas places popping up on our nation’s high streets is proof that it’s not just the beaches and the weather we’ve fallen in love with.
Spanish food is enjoying something of a renaissance on the global food scene, thanks to a whole new generation of creative, experimental young chefs and a bounty of great quality produce. One of the defining characteristics of Spanish food is the blending of mar and montaña – land and sea – so deliciously.
The even better news? You can bring Spain to your plate whenever you crave an injection of sunshine by asking your personal chef to create a tapas-style dinner. Cheesy croquettes, garlicky prawns in chilli-spiked oil, hot, crispy potatoes dunked in a spicy aioli, savoury paella, and slivers of cheese and hams may seem intimidating to pull together yourself, but it’s something your private chef could prepare and serve any night of the week.
Most popular food in the world?
On the surface, the most popular foods may not seem particularly thrilling, but they serve as the foundation for countless iconic dishes and top-ranking “desert island” foods.
• Rice
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Bread
• Potatoes
• Pasta
• Apples
• Ice Cream
In reality, these are the building blocks of countless iconic dishes and the basis of many lip-smacking, top 10 ‘desert island’ foods. They’re used in juicy hamburgers and fragrant curries, crunchy stir fries and cheesy pizzas, fish and chips and apple pie and ice cream. All foods that have an international edge and can take us away from the reality of our day-to-day lives to somewhere altogether more exciting.
What are the big 5 cuisines?
The world is full of amazing food hot spots and cuisines that you could spend a lifetime exploring. For a chef, it’s important to have a diverse skill set and an understanding of many different international dishes in order to keep creativity levels high and menus keeping with a client’s tastes.
There are five main cuisines that any private chef will know and be able to effortlessly roll into their repertoire:
• French: the foundation of modern European cooking, French techniques and flavours are found in many other cuisines, making this an important one to master.
• Italian: Like French gastronomy, Italy’s cuisine has had an enormous impact around the world. Its flavours, textures and techniques pop up everywhere.
• Japanese: Japanese food is enduringly popular around the world.
• Mexican: Mexican food and flavours, in their many guises, form a tempting array of dishes and are discoverable worldwide.
• America: American food culture is hugely influential, with emblematic dishes such as the burger and hot dog, waffles and pancakes embraced internationally.
Left to your own devices, you may find that you cook and eat the same foods most weeks. Having a private chef as part of your household gives you an easy way to try a wider range of dishes, and step outside of your culinary comfort zone to sample delicious global flavours.
For many of us, having the time to source speciality ingredients or throw ourselves into pasta making from scratch is an enormous luxury; something that we tell ourselves we’ll do one day, when life isn’t quite so busy.
A private chef doesn’t have those constraints. They have the time, passion, and desire to learn more about other cuisines, experiment with new dishes and master new techniques – all to keep your monthly menus that much more exciting and your meals more adventurous!
If you’d like to book a private chef to enjoy global flavours at home or for your next event, contact us.
