A Word from Our Head Chef

American Bar & Grill Head Chef Alberto Galan shares his ideas and debunks stereotypes

Spice

I can't imagine a cuisine without spice. It not only crowns the dish taste, it creates a mood. However, this doesn't absolutely mean the more spice, the better. Everything depends on the original product and traditions of the country where the dish was conceived. When I worked in countries where fresh fish was always served, I used only pepper, salt, and lemon in order not to change the taste. In general, one should be careful with spice. For example, if you add garlic and rosemary to lamb, its taste will practically be ruined. This, by the way, is the European cuisine distinction: in order to do away with the game smell, it is marinated with red wine, carrot and juniper.

It's better to use fresh spice, not dry or canned. That's why we try to buy fresh basilica, oregano and thyme - they add fresh flavor to dishes. It's a pity many fresh spices can be found only in Africa.

I have my own favorite spice. Sweet dishes, in my opinion, require adding a bit of vanilla. It adds flavor, but doesn't change it, and the dish acquires its own particular taste. If you add vanilla to strawberry ice cream, something will be added besides the strawberry flavor, which makes the taste unforgettable. Fresh rosemary will never spoil meat, fish or chicken.

Men and Women

It is believed that men are better cooks, and that they make dishes better than women... I cannot agree with that. If you ask one thousand people who is the best cook, nine hundred ninety-nine will answer: "Mother". At a restaurant, dishes may be tasty, unusual, fine-looking and diverse, but Mom or Grandma always cook better.

...The difference between men's and women's dishes exists, but it is rather small. Women give more attention to their complexion and more often eat fish and vegetables; men prefer meat. As for spice, can rosemary, thyme, cinnamon be only for women, or only for men?

The common opinion that men like spicy dishes is not an axiom. Everything is individual: as for me, I don't like spicy dishes, but my wife does. One of the most popular dishes in our restaurants - chicken wings in spicy sauce - is always highly appreciated by both men and women.