A well-executed meal can transform a standard evening into an unforgettable experience. Chefs are the artists of the culinary world–they utilize a wide array of raw products, specialized tools, and refined techniques for the creation of their great masterpieces. But restaurant-quality cooking can also be achieved at home.

Here are some of the cooking nuances that factor into the preparation and presentation of a delectable and delightful meal:

Ingredients

Fresh ingredients are a crucial part of your meal. Make sure you buy ingredients that are in season, so they have the best quality of flavor. Try and purchase local produce, which will ensure you’re purchasing something seasonal and will also support your community. Blue Hill Farm, is an example of a restaurant that has a very strong focus on natural ingredients. Their Stone Barns location has fields and pastures from which the restaurant sources, as well as other surrounding local farms. The menu highlights the natural resources of the Hudson Valley, where the guests are presented with the best offerings from the area. Chef Dan Barber gives guests a multi-taste menu that includes the concepts of “grazing”, “rooting” and “pecking.” Learn more about the farm-to-table movement from Barber’s book, “The Third Plate.” You’ll be inspired to source your ingredients from your local farmer’s market and create meals with outstanding flavors.

Cooking Techniques

There are many unique food preparation techniques used throughout the world. Find the right cooking technique for your meal, and decide how extreme you are willing to go. For example, if you’re cooking a meal of smoked root vegetables and grilled meat, you can utilize a traditional barbeque. Stew recipe Instant Pot is a good choice for low carbohydrates and high protein diet. Homemade sausages in different casing types is also a good alternative.

You could also take a page out of chef Francis Mallmann’s book, and utilize his outlandish fire roasting techniques. Mallmann is a renowned Argentine chef who takes his ingredients and prepares them using native and gaucho cooking techniques. He uses a chapa — a cast-iron griddle that quickly heats– and also cooks with a parrilla–barbeque grate over live coals. Mallmann also employs the technique of burying his root vegetables into the ground with the hot embers of a fires, for a smoky, steam process.

Liquid nitrogen is another cooking technique that is utilized by chefs who seek a more modern method of cooking, called molecular gastronomy. The flash freezing of the food can create fluid-filled frozen dishes with solid outer shells. The frozen state may enhance the flavors and aromas of the food. The technique was first used by the three-star Michelin restaurant — el Bulli–run by chef Ferran Adria in Catalonia, Spain. The Michelin award is given to restaurants that offer unparalleled cuisine. Check out this list of prestigious, culinary establishments for more ideas of inspirational cooking techniques.

Plating and Presentation

The taste of the dish is the most important element of your culinary pursuits, however presentation is another important factor. Don’t distract from the natural beauty and colors of your food with plates that are a bright hue. Choose white or neutral-colored dishware. Purchase cookbooks that have pictures for every dish– this will give you an idea of how you can plate the food. You can also stray away from the plating technique shown in your cookbook and give it your own twist. Make sure you know the basics of piping, layering, deconstructing, ingredient focus, and various shapes and textures. You can add dimension and color with edible garnishes and sauces that frame the main dish.