How do you prepare for the MAF (Best Apprentice of France) competition
Ah, the sweet smell of competition. It's a compelling mixture of sweat, tears, and blood... OK, maybe not blood. Anyways, getting ready for a big cooking competition is no easy task.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the MAF contest.
Research Contest Rules and Judging Criteria.
The MAF is a competition organized by the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF), which aims to encourage apprenticeship in France. It brings together apprentices from different sectors who compete for recognition and reward.
The contest is based on three primary criteria:
Main dish (70 points)
Dessert (60 points)
Organizational skills in the kitchen (70 points).
To become a MAF, the contestants need a minimum score of 18 out of 20 after passing the departmental and regional selections.
The competition is open to all apprentices under 21 years old and enrolled in an apprenticeship program.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
The first step to preparing for the MAF (Best Apprentice of France) competition is to practice, practice, practice! Look to the best chefs for advice on making your recipes better, and ensure that every detail is perfect.
This includes:
Using all five senses when preparing food (e.g., smelling it while it's cooking or tasting it after each step).
Practicing using a variety of utensils and tools in the kitchen; never use just one tool when cooking something new. Practicing the recipe several times in advance so that it becomes second nature.
Spending time experimenting with various ingredients and tools so you're not limited to using only one approach for each dish.
Practicing the art of cooking is very important, but so is practicing all aspects of it. This means you should practice cooking the food and the tools and utensils used to make it. Practicing with different ingredients and tools will help you understand how they work together and improve your culinary skills.
Avoid Overcomplicating Dishes: Keep It Simple.
Avoid overcomplicating dishes, or they will become overly complex and difficult to understand. Preparing a dish that is too difficult to understand can cause context clues to be lost on the judges and prevent them from appreciating your work thoroughly.
If you are making a too complex dish, avoid overcomplicating it by removing unnecessary components. This will help keep the dish simple and easy to understand.
Get Your Head in the Game: Mental Mise en Place.
The first step is to get your head in the game. This doesn't just mean ensuring you are well rested but also preparing yourself mentally for a very stressful couple of days. You need to focus on what is essential and work out how much time each task will take before deciding how much time is left over.
The second step is preparation: mentally prepare yourself by focusing on the basics, such as ingredients and tools; physically prepare ingredients by measuring out portions; physically prepare tools by sharpening knives or polishing equipment; physically prepare your kitchen by clearing clutter away from working areas and cleaning surfaces.
You have to believe in yourself!
The MAF is the most important culinary competition in France. But it's not just about cooking. It's about believing in yourself and showing that you can do it. You are one of the best apprentice of France!
You must believe in yourself and your cooking and chef skills to be a winner. You mustn't get discouraged if things don't go as planned—stay focused on your goals and keep pushing forward!
Conclusion
It's important to remember that the MAF is a competition and a test of your skills as a chef. If you want to win, you have to be prepared! The more time and effort you put into preparing for this event, the better your chance of coming out on top.
Signing up is easy; follow the instructions on the official MOF website: https://www.meilleursouvriersdefrance.info/inscription.html
