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The Most Common Mistakes Home Cooks Make, According to Professional Chefs

No matter how many cooking shows we watch or food blogs we read, sometimes our dishes just never measure up to what the professionals create on a daily basis. While we know some of the basics, we turned to the experts to find out what common cooking mistakes home cooks make over and over again. Five professional chefs from across the country weighed in with their advice on how to improve our home cooking game and create restaurant-quality dishes.

Mistake #1: Not Using a Sharp Knife

“Sharp knives are a must! Often home cooks are scared of sharp knives, but dull ones are actually the ones that will do the most damage. Buy yourself one good chef’s knife and find a shop that will sharpen it for you! It will improve your cooking and make it more enjoyable as well!” –Chef Karen Akunowicz, Owner and Executive Chef of Fox & the Knife, Boston, MA

Mistake #2: Using Old, Dried Herbs Rather Than Fresh Herbs

“Use fresh herbs whenever possible. Nothing brings flavor and sense of place to a dish like fresh herbs. A handful of basil or cilantro can transform a dish completely. If you are using dried herbs, make sure to swap them out often. Oregano that has been sitting in your cabinet for years won’t add anything to a dish.” –Chef Karen Akunowicz, Owner and Executive Chef of Fox & the Knife, Boston, MA

Mistake #4: Only Adding Seasoning at the End

“Often, home cooks don’t season their dish until the end. Seasoning as you go with salt and pepper is the most important tip I can give. Pro-tip: do the same with the herbs and spices in a dish and you take it to the next level.” –Chef Karen Akunowicz, Owner and Executive Chef of Fox & the Knife, Boston, MA