For the home cook, or as some call, the amateur cook, the resources available to you usually come from the professional arena. Most of your cooking shows on T.V. are hosted by graduates of culinary institutions and have studied all over the world. Many have worked in some of the most famous eateries in the world and quite a few own their own restaurants.

It is understandable when I hear from some people that they feel they cannot even compete with these guys. To me, this is a mistake. Cooking, like any other art form, is not about competition. Comparing yourself to a chef is like Picasso comparing himself to a professional interior painter. Does anyone think Pablo would have been fulfilled painting homes all day? Don’t think you won’t be rewarded if you can’t perform every trick in the kitchen that a chef does.

Some of the worlds most renown music was created by artists who never read a note on paper. They never attended a school, and many taught themselves how to compose. It isn’t the knowledge that made them great, it was the enjoyment they attained by practicing their art. This is what makes a cook stand out above the rest.

Can you tell me what sticks out more in your memory, the best dish you ever ate in a restaurant or the best meal prepared by someone you know? Chances are, this person had no formal training, they were just very passionate about cooking.

Take for example, Paula Deen. She has had no real formal education in the culinary arts but one day she decided to take all of her in house learning and share it with the world. She now owns several restaurants and has her own show on the food network. That’s right, just a passionate person who now stands next to all of those “accredited” chefs.

So relax, the idea is not to make a better barbecue sauce than Emerils, or a chicken better than Julias. It is about creating something, something you enjoy. If you are more than satisfied with your recipe, then you have achieved greatness. You are now a great cook and you can leave the ‘Chef-ing’ to the pro’s.