When I think of what separated my grandmother’s cooking from other even very good cooks in her hometown, I think time invested in preparation and careful attention are the factors that made her stand out.  Seldom discussed for the home cook, timing your meal preparation so each dish is complete when it's hot and at the same time as the other dishes is a forgotten skill.  

 

So although the suggested skills listed below are for proficiency even in a professional kitchen, taking the time to do everything right, and focusing on building flavor with fresh ingredients will make your meals unforgettable.