It's always been said that ordering a steak well-done is a cardinal sin of sorts. But renowned chefs have stepped up to the plate to share their insight on the matter.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Some people simply enjoy their steaks well-done. Although the process of cooking a steak to that extent will diminish flavor and quality, if that's someone's preferred flavor, then so be it. Of course, chefs, who have a greater appreciation for what they're serving, may get infuriated at the thought of intentionally making a steak worse.
However, what's the ruminations of a layman when we have a panel of four renowned chefs to provide their insite?
Chefs Thomas Keller, Jamie Oliver, José Andrés, and Alice Waters gathered around with Bon Appétit magazine to answer some questions. And they got around to answering their thoughts on whether it's rude to ask for a well-done steak.
Jamie Oliver was the most vocal on the matter (what's new?).
"It's not rude to ask; it doesn't mean we won't think bad things of you," he said. He further elaborated on his distaste for well-done steaks by making it personal. "When my kids order well-done steak on my dollar, that doesn't go down well."
"You are a dictator?" questioned Andrés, to which Oliver agreed (but only when it comes to steak).
Not All Chefs Are In Agreement, However
In that group, there was one persistent shining light: Thomas Keller, who said he personally doesn't get offended.
He doesn't think it's rude "at all."
"We want to cook the best well-done steak you've ever had," he explained. "No judgment on my part."
After Jamie Oliver spoke his mind, Keller continued, "These things are easy to do, all of us have the capability." He expressed that people will eat steaks how they like them, it's no skin off his back.
Although, hilariously, Waters jumped in with an "I don't know," placing her firmly in camp 'rude.'
The final chef, Andrés, has a more mixed standpoint. After Jamie Oliver gave his anti-well-done steak speech, André said, "We agree."
However, he followed that with, "At the restaurant, whatever the guest wants."
So it appears that two in four chefs find ordering well-done steak very rude, one also finds it rude but will tolerate it, and the last one doesn't care one bit.
