Have time to be creative During the sessions, chefs can improvise around familiar phrases, mix elements from different dishes or propose new dishes to customers that have not yet been fully defined. Try new things in and out of the kitchen. Sometimes busy chefs go crazy about food when they cook for themselves, which can hinder their creativity. By trying new things in their own kitchen, they can be inspired to create new dishes at work.
In addition, trying new things outside of the kitchen, such as hobbies, can get chefs creative juices flowing, as it helps them get out of their daily routine. Exercising regularly not only develops physical muscles, but it also helps develop mental muscles, which goes a long way in generating creative ideas. In fact, those who exercise frequently find it easier to be creative than those who don't, thanks to the mental stimulation that exercise produces. The Mystery Box challenges you see on Chopped aren't realistic.
I've never been in a situation where I had to make a special with olives and marshmallows. The chef has a busy job, so it's common to create new dishes on the menu and special offers on the go. The chef has to work with what he has and create something different and special. It takes years to develop the rapid creativity that successful chefs have.
For me, the cooking process is the clearest example of how we develop broadly applicable skills while doing something we love. I believe that cooking not only develops our learning agility, but it also develops analytical skills and mathematical thinking. Of all the skills we acquire in the cooking process, I think that creativity and innovation are the most powerful. It's okay to drink some R%26D for inspiration, said Daniel England, corporate executive chef at OMG Hospitality Group.
