Posted by Karen on May 31, 1998 at 09:41:43:
In Reply to: Curious about Chefs who smoke posted by Bob Sheppard on May 30, 1998 at 03:04:46:
I have twice worked for chefs who smoke, one had no taste, one was pretty good, although she and I did have a disagreement over vanilla bean vs. extract. She couldn't pick up a "distinctive vanilla flavor" from vanilla bean alone. It is subtle, true. May have been an isolated incident -- a matter of environment vs. education, and not an issue of smoking at all.
I think it's in the chef.
I would agree however, that the substance abuse in this industry is insane. It can be difficult to spot and it almost (and still may have!) cost me my restaurant.
Karen