Cigarettes and the palette

[Bazza]

This is something I have thought about alot. It is common knowledge that smoking cigarettes is a pretty bad all-rounder and one of the many many downsides is the effect on the taste buds. I have always been told if you want to be a really good chef you must quit the smoking and that even if you are highly trained and skilled you will be missing out on that last fine balancing of taste. Ok point taken, so how come when I read biographies from A Bourdain, M Pierre White etc. who have become the greatest in their field, they all did it on a diet of caffiene, nicotine and adrenaline (and maybe a couple of other subtances). Just wondered what you views are on this. BTW I smoke 5-10 a day.

[chrose]

As a former smoker I didn't find it had any real bearing on my knowledge, skill or taste. Yes it can dull your senses but most of the real sensory tasting is done without smoking going on. In other words if you haven't smoked in awhile your taste buds will not be as dull as just after smoking. Also in production a lot of these guys are not on the line and having to taste and adjust as much.
Having said that though, what you don't appreciate as a smoker is that fresh after a smoke, what you smell has the sensation of being a "toasty" type of aroma. In fact though and you discover this after you quit is that it actually stinks. Food being highly sensitive to odor absorption, especially cold foods, have the real possibility of picking up the oder from a smoker that has taken a break and still has it on their clothes. So from that point of view, health wise, not withstanding, smoking has no place in a kitchen.

[damack]

Originally Posted by Bazza

how come when I read biographies from A Bourdain, M Pierre White etc. who have become the greatest in their field

Bourdain didn't get famous from cooking he got famous by writing his book, im not saying he isnt a good cook but look at the top chefs keller, Ramesy, Batali, Alice waters, NONE of them are smokers

[even stephen]

Purely a health risk....you should see how some blind winetasters get
ready for a competions....knew a gal that would get ripped the night before,
smoke cigarettes, next day, go to the competition clean, but unbathed, and
hungover as heck....somethings that I think can effect taste....perfume or cologne, brushing your teeth, fabric softeners on clothes, any thing extremely
acidic....of course I bath and brush my teeth at least once per day..teeth a
little more....but......thats my take...