Chefs share five appetisers they absolutely would not order at a restaurant

07 January 2024 , 10:13

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Chefs share five appetisers they absolutely would not order at a restaurant [stock image] (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Raise your hand if you have trawled through a menu at a restaurant only to discover the appetisers are so much more varied than the main dishes and then proceeded to order a selection of appetisers over a main.

Well, me too. The thrill of receiving a variety of different foods from olives to padron peppers, a prawn cocktail, to Brussels sprouts and bacon can cause much excitement and can become the envy of those at the dinner table eating one singular thing.

It can be overwhelming to decide on a single appetiser whilst you are practically salivating and contemplating food envy for all the appetisers you can’t try but desperately want to. What should you skip? What could you realistically russell up at home and be satisfied with and what’s worth spending your money on?

talked to professionals from the kitchen and the chefs they spoke to shared the appetisers they absolutely would not order at a restaurant. They also shared why they would rule out these appetisers and why you should too.

Cheese and Crackers

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According to Chef said, she’d prefer to avoid simple versions of cheese boards as he would probably make these himself. She said that he would prefer to “prepare his own” and choose what would go on there instead of accepting a ready-made option.

Spoke like a true chef, she added that she would prefer “chef-crafted” options at a restaurant menu to experience a wider range of “techniques and flavours.”

Cheese sticks

Professor of food studies Mary Kiernan added a cheese-related food that she wouldn’t order as an appetiser too. She said that skipping the fried cheese sticks wouldn’t be the end of the world adding that the cost and the quantity often clashed for her.

Whilst not tempted by the average cheese stick, Mary said she could be swayed from vetoing this option if restaurants went out of their way by using artisanal cheese or their bread she would give them a go.

Brussels Sprouts

They are easily a marmite item and now you can justify your aversion to them by saying a chef says you’d be better off skipping them. Randall Braud, executive chef at Metropolitan Cafe in Dallas, Texas says his no-go appetiser is based on the season.

Unless it’s Autumn or winter, you’re better off skipping the Brussels sprouts according to Randall Braud, executive chef at Metropolitan Cafe in Dallas, Texas. He said, “Brussels sprouts are a fall/winter vegetable and best served during those seasons.”

Fried Calamari

Arguably the most popular appetiser amongst them all but the chefs were not impressed. With little variation across the board, always fried and with little marginal differences with in the dipping sauce, it’s a no for the chef again.

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However, Professor Mary Kiernan, said she would order this appetiser at a restaurant cause it’s not something she would make at home. Taking the trying it at least once approach she said that she does this and then if everything is to her liking she will order the same thing again in the restaurant in the future.

Escargot

I don’t know many people who would be thrilled with the idea of eating snails but it have long since been a delicacy. Delicacy or not, Kiernan said it’s not for her.

Kiernan said “I had them in culinary school and would order them occasionally after,” she said. “After a while, and after learning more about snails, I just decided I didn’t have to eat something that I only sort of liked.”

Mariam Khan