DOES ORIGINALITY IN RECIPES EXIST?

Today, I read an article regarding a Food Network chef's show not being renewed because her recipes are derivations of other chef's recipes. So I wanted to share my views on whether recipes are ever actually original. I think the answer is no. Every recipe, every recipe, every recipe is based on some other recipe in some shape or form. To claim yours is really original is just plain arrogance. And unfounded arrogance at that!

I want you to know this because every single recipe of mine that I have made for you over the years is based on another. Either a recipe of my mother's, and heaven only knows where she got them from, or a recipe from a book or a magazine, or just an attempt to copy a dish I enjoyed at a restaurant.I have never made a recipe exactly as it was given to me. But why would I want to? My tastes and those of my family are different than yours.  I cook to my tastes, period. You do the same. That's the way cooking goes. Don't give it more importance than it needs.

Cooking is an art form. A very sensual, very personal art form. If you choose to fret too much about exactly copying someone else's techniques, you lose the pleasure in that.  Just enjoy the process and savor the end result. If you see a recipe here you like but want to substitute something. Then go for it. It's your meal, your dish, your taste buds. Own it.


                                                Enjoy,
                                                             Keyla