Seattle Chef Chad Christian Clift on the Importance of Soup in History

As a recognized Chef in the city of Seattle, Chad Christian Clift has learned to adore soup, and all that it stands for in our history. This liquid based meal has roots dating back over twenty two thousand years. There are few foods, of any sort, that can boast such a long and prosperous history. Throughout much of its life, soup was a meal made out of necessity. Ancient peoples created soups because they had no other way to heat or cook their ingredients, thus the items were boiled in water. In later parts of soup’s history, dishes were created to extend the ingredients that a family had on hand. Both of these concepts have helped to give soup the identity of a comfort food, something that a mother or grandmother would make at home. It was not until the last three centuries that soup started to be viewed as a possible gourmet item. Now, every restaurant in the world usually offers at least one type of soup on their menu.

Regionally, there are many famous soups found around the world. In fact, every country has at least one variety of soup that is popular and incredibly common. In the Asian countries, Bird’s Nest Soup and Banh Canh are seen as delicacies. Chad Christian Clift says that whether you are enjoying a bowl of Bouillabaisse from France, Tarhana soup from Persia, or Gazpacho from Spain, you are enjoying a people’s history with each bite.

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Chad Christian Clift Offers his Best Kitchen Tip

Seattle Chef Chad Christian Clift has worked in the Culinary Arts for decades. His extensive training and work experience in and out of the kitchen has earned him a positive reputation in the upper northwest of the United States. Over the years, Clift has developed a set of tips and techniques that not only make his daily kitchen adventures easier, but are applicable to many home cooks.

Chad Christian Clift

According to Clift, one of the most important tips for cooking a successful meal is the need to stay organized. A well thought out recipe or menu is only as successful as the organization that went into the preparation. Additionally, keeping your work area clean and organized will make cooking much more enjoyable and you’ll be less likely to make mistakes. While there are some instances where a chef or home cook can simply throw items together and have the results turn out wonderfully, when creating a special meal or a new recipe there must be more preparation.

The first thing to do is to gather all of your supplies and ingredients. Having everything out and accessible will make the actual cooking process that much easier. Doing this also allows the cook or chef to know what ingredients they have in house already, and which need to be purchased. There is nothing worse than thinking you have an ingredient, going to use that ingredient, and discovering that you are out of stock. Chad Christian Clift always keeps a strict eye on his pantry and refrigerator in order to make sure that he knows what he has at all times.