Chef Joe Friday was born in North Caroline, raised in Japan, and trained in French Cuisine. He graduated top of his class in Restaurant Management from the Culinary Institute of America and then started his culinary career at the age of 20. He is one of the 10 worldwide individuals who was invited to train at Walt Disney World’s culinary program. Chef Joe successfully completed many staging opportunities in Europe, Asia, and US to then plant his root in Toronto almost 10 years ago. He was part of the team with Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini, who opened Luma at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Joe has cooked privately for many high-profile individuals, including professional athletes, celebrities, and entrepreneurs. This summer 2023, Joe is opening his new burger and chicken sandwich restaurant, Friday Burger Company, located in downtown Toronto.
Summer and grilling season is finally here! It’s time to get outside, fire up the grill and cook up your summer favourites! Here are some of Chef Joe Friday’s five go-to grilling tips to help you become the pitmaster you are!
- Marinate and season your food. Marinating meats, poultry, and vegetables before grilling adds flavour and tenderizes the proteins. Use your favourite marinade or create your own using a combination of oil, acidity and herbs and spices. Additionally, season your food with salt, pepper, and additional spices just before grilling.
- Keep the lid closed. While grilling, try to keep the lid closed as much as possible. This helps to retain the heat and ensures even cooking. Opening the lid too frequently can cause temperature fluctuations and prolong the cooking time.
- Use a meat thermometer. Invest in a good meat thermometer to ensure your food reaches the desired level of doneness. This helps you avoid undercooking or overcooking, especially when grilling thicker cuts of meat.
- Let it rest. After grilling, allow your meat to rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavourful and tender final product.
- Experiment and have fun. Grilling is a versatile cooking method, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours and techniques. Try different marinades, rubs, and wood chips for smoking to create unique flavours. Enjoy the process and have fun with your grilling adventures!
With these five tips you’re ready to kick-start grilling season on a flavourful note! Now all you have to think about is what you are going to grill up first! Burgers, chicken, kabobs, let’s get grilling!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjoefriday/?hl=en
