(Source: Flickr) For many of us, tipping is simply part of the experience of dining out. It’s customary and expected to add 15 to 20% of the billed amount for service; more or less depending on the diner’s satisfaction. But have you ever wondered why we tip, or where the money actually goes? Here, we’llFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr member Geoff Peters) It’s a common phrase uttered at restaurants, from casual eateries to upscale establishments: “would you like to hear about our specials?”. This custom is widespread for good reason: offering specials is a great way for a restaurant to market their offerings, create creative limited-edition dishes, reduce food waste, and perhapsFIND OUT MORE |

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The French are known for several things, food and wine being two of their best. Many of the best restaurants are based on French cuisine, and even more casual restaurants feature French foods like the Croque Monsieur. While some French dishes are complicated, many rely on simple techniques and good ingredients. Coq au Vin isFIND OUT MORE |

  Question 1: Where did you get your start? “Like a lot of kids where I grew up, I worked at McDonald’s flipping burgers (still think I hold the most burgers flipped in one day at the Broadway/Ocean Ave. location). I also tossed pizzas and was a delivery boy. My first real kitchen job wasFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) If you’ve ever dined in a Chinese restaurant, chances are you’ve come across Sichuan chili oil, a fiery pepper-infused oil which is dotted with vibrant red chili flakes. Sichuan chili oil is a go-to condiment in Chinese cooking. It’s employed in dishes to give them a spicy kick, but it’s also a commonplaceFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) Tiramisu has a reputation as a fancy restaurant menu dessert, a complicated concoction attainable only by professional pastry chefs. But here’s a secret: it’s not complicated at all! A traditional tiramisu recipe usually includes five or so ingredients and comes together in minutes. No wonder it gained so much popularity in the restaurantFIND OUT MORE |

I don’t know why but I have been indulging myself in ice cream a lot lately.  Since I eat it often, I switched to a healthier alternative that my sister introduced to me. I was amazed at the whole idea that a banana could make such a delicious dessert all by itself. Don’t get me wrong,FIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) Many a chef dreams of opening his or her own restaurant and sharing their unique food vision with the world. However, to many, this dream seems unattainable and difficult for one key reason: financing. Opening a restaurant can be extremely expensive, and few chefs have sufficient funds in their bank accounts to makeFIND OUT MORE |

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons If you have kids, you know the struggle of feeding them. Some kids will eat anything, but most kids go through a picky phase at least once or twice through their childhood. It’s not uncommon to have a kid that will only eat one food. Even older kids areFIND OUT MORE |