Exactly what makes someone into a great cook? The simple answer might be that they go to school for the culinary arts and work on becoming a chef. While this helps, and I am not knocking that path, the simple truth is this - I have had some truly outstanding meals at restaurants in every price range. But I have also left a few with the feeling that I had just totally wasted my money and would have done better by getting a pizza down on the corner. Furthermore, I have had some truly amazing meals that were prepared by friends and family with no formal training whatsoever.

So, if the makings of a good cook cannot simply be encapsulated in the phrase, "go to school for it," then what is that quality that pushes someone to a higher level? What makes a chef shine? While I wouldn't say that this is the definitive list, I do have my own thoughts on the important qualities that I have noticed in every master chef.

They generally understand how to follow a recipe. While this may seem to be a simple thing, believe it or not, not everyone can do this successfully. But a good cook can understand what is in a recipe and follow it so that the finished dish turns out as it was intended to. That is not to say that they will do this every time, of course. Especially since another quality is that once they master the recipe, a good chef usually winds up changing it to suit their own tastes and desires. They wind up truly making it their own.

To become a true whiz in the kitchen, one must also know how to use all the tools in the kitchen. This can include everything from the proper use of a food processor, to knowing how to season a wok, to having mastered the delicate flick of the wrist necessary for whisking.

None of the many ways to cook something should be a mystery. Even if your preference may be to stir fry your food, you should have had experience with and readily know how to poach, braise, steam, grill, saute, and more. Yes, this even includes using the microwave. Although we all have our preferences, if a recipe calls for any of these, it shouldn't be breaking new ground for you.

A great cook always knows enough to use fresh ingredients whenever possible. Many people take the easy way out by opening cans for everything. No matter how expertly you season your food, or how masterful you are in the kitchen, nothing you do will compensate for this. You should always strive to use fresh fruits and vegetables, the best cuts of meat, and fish caught that day. While I understand that this may not always be practical, you need to at least fully understand that there is a big difference and try to use the freshest ingredients that are available to you.

Sharp knives are your friends. Knives will be your main tools. You should take care of them, keeping them sharp and ready to perform.

This should go without saying, but a good cook always follows the rules of food safety. Non-poisoned guests are happy guests. Therefore, you should always wash your hands before you begin cooking, and also several times during. After touching raw poultry, for example. It is also important to wash your equipment well after you use it on poultry. Knives, cutting boards, everything. You do not want to contaminate other food with it. Always keep cold food cold until it is time to pop it in the oven. And be sure to thoroughly cook poultry and pork to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.

Finally, there is one thing that absolutely all great cooks have in common. They add a touch of love to every meal they prepare. I know it is frequently said that love is the secret ingredient, but it really is the truth. Loving the food you are preparing and the art of cooking as a whole means that you will take the time to do things properly. It means that you won't cut corners. It is the most important quality you must possess. The rest can be learned and improved upon. But you just can't teach or fake the love of the art. If you have this, just follow the other steps and sooner or later, every meal that you make will be a perfect masterpiece.