B kyuu gourmet(pronounced gurume in Japan) means B class gourmet in Japanese. What is B class gourmet? It's hard to distinguish the dishes class A & B and I didn't like saying "bufallo wing is class B food." because I believe both great white truffle and chicken wing dishes can give same pleasure to me! Anyway I would say B class gourmet in Japanese term usually means regional cheap eats. In Japan each prefecture has own local B class gourmet and even have championship every year!
I consider "fine dining" is built up of casual foods by using better ingredients, more technique & skills, more refined presentation and other elements to transform the dishes into next level. But both roots are same. I love eating at casual setting and B class gourmet. Then why have I been working fine dining? It's simply one reason, I thought working fine dining is more challenging! That's it! I just want to push my limit, guess it's "my nature".
Anyway... I never say fine dining is always better than B class gourmet, either. Michelin guide may ignore all the ramen houses in Japan, but many of those serve one of the best dishes in the world. One great bowl of ramen noodle.... sigh.... it takes me to heaven! To me, those are 3 stars, hand down! I REALLY wish to learn how they make it, but I wouldn't work at Ramen house to learn making perfect Ramen for 10yrs!! / laugh So I cook French!
Throughout my CJWDT, I have tried so many local dishes over 15 countries. I would say most of them are categorized into B class gourmet. It is showing local food cultures and delicacy what locals love to eat when they're hungry. I say B class gourmet is like girlfriend without any make-up.... The dishes can be done better, can be sexy it up, but the way it is pure and showing the core of flavor in minimum setting. Those dishes expand my culinary flavor profile and give me new inspirations through my journey. Now... Let me get cha siu bao, I'm hungry!!!!Labels: My Inspiration
