Chef Profile: Dave Lieberman

One of my favourite Food Network chefs is Dave Lieberman. I first saw this dimple-faced New York chef on his show, Good Deal With Dave Lieberman where he prepares meals on the cheap for his family and friends. He previously worked as a private chef where money didn't matter and budgets didn't exist so he could prepare meals with expensive ingredients. But, like me, he wants to entertain his family and friends well but keeping an eye on the bottom line, too. So on his show he gives simple tips about how to stretch your budget and where to spend money.

Dave's official website is here.

He is the author of several books, including Young & Hungry and Dave's Dinners.

And a Food Network interview with Dave entitled The Dish on Dave.

Food Network: Where did your interest in cooking begin?

Dave: Well, I started as a kid in the kitchen with my dad. He was a stay-at-home dad. My mom worked and my Dad took care of me and my siblings. I always thought it was a normal thing for a guy to be in the kitchen. My dad was a role model.

Food Network: What were some of your favorite foods growing up?

Dave: My Dad’s big thing was different kinds of chicken. He tried to cook economically, too. He was always cooking chicken and rice. We had friends that made fun of him. He would do different things with chicken and rice all the time and my friends would come over and say, "What’s for dinner? Chicken and rice?" He does a really great job braising. He’s got a lot of good recipes from his mom who is a traditional Jewish cook. [Traditional Jewish cooks] do a lot of brisket and ribs and meatloaf and stewed this and stewed that, so I learned to love that stuff, too. I still can’t make his ribs as good as he makes them.

Food Network: So, what about preparing for a hot date?

Dave: I like to cook stuff that feels special, not crazy expensive, and not too fussy. Because the more fuss you put into it, the more places you can go wrong and you just want to be relaxed. I like salmon. It’s inexpensive, hard to overcook, lots of great things you can do with it?kind of sexy.

Food Network: And for dessert?

Dave: I like fresh fruit and cream. I think berries and cream are good, and chocolate. Something light, good mouth feel, succulent or something decadent.

Food Network: How do you like to entertain?

Dave: I like to make things in large quantities. Big dishes just make my life easier. So, I’ll bake casseroles, lasagnas, and a big baking sheet of apricot chicken, and let people serve themselves.

Food Network: Do you have any tips on how to prepare a meal for friends?

Dave: Choose inexpensive ingredients that can be prepared in bulk like chicken or vegetables. And don’t invite too many people.

Food Network: How often do you cook for yourself? Do you eat out?

Dave: All the time. I hardly ever eat out.

Food Network: How often do you go shopping for groceries?

Dave: Every day.

Food Network: Do you cook every day?

Dave: Yeah, I’ll try to do something for myself or I’ll be testing a recipe.

Food Network: When you’re cooking at home, do you follow a recipe?

Dave: I never follow recipes. I make it up as I go along and if I like it, then I’ll do it again, writing down what I do. That’s how I do recipes.