4 Levels of Fried Chicken: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

The professional chef adds a unique twist to the basic recipe in level three.
Fried chicken is one of the most popular dishes around the world. It’s delicious, crispy, and succulent, all at the same time. But, as simple as the dish may seem, there is a lot that goes into making a perfect batch of fried chicken. And that’s where the 4 Levels of Fried Chicken come in.
The 4 Levels of Fried Chicken is a video series presented by Epicurious that takes viewers through a culinary journey of making fried chicken. The series showcases four different levels of skill from amateur to food scientist, with each level building on the skills of the previous one.
The first level is the amateur chef, who is just starting to learn how to make fried chicken. The process involves dipping the chicken into a seasoned flour mix, followed by an egg wash, and then into another layer of seasoned flour. The chicken is then pan-fried until golden and crispy.
The second level is the home cook, who has a bit more experience in the kitchen. The home cook takes the basic recipe from level one and adds a bit more flavor by marinating the chicken in buttermilk overnight. This extra step ensures that the chicken stays moist and tender. The result is a chicken that is flavorful, juicy, and crispy.
The third level is the professional chef, who gets creative with the recipe. The chef takes the basic recipe from level two and adds a secret spice blend to the flour mix. The chicken is then double-fried, which results in an extra crispy outer layer and a juicy tender inside. The chef also adds a mix of herb-infused butter on top, giving the chicken a delicious buttery flavor.
The final level is the food scientist. This level goes beyond the traditional recipe and explores the science behind fried chicken. The food scientist uses a pressure fryer, which seals in the moisture and flavor of the chicken, resulting in a perfectly cooked chicken. The food scientist also experiments with different coatings to achieve the ultimate crunch, and uses a sous vide technique to ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly throughout.
The 4 Levels of Fried Chicken shows that making a perfect fried chicken requires a lot of knowledge, skills, and experience. With each level, the recipe becomes more sophisticated, with more depth of flavor, texture, and tenderness. Whether you are an amateur chef or a food scientist, this series has something for everyone, and it’s a must-watch for anyone looking to perfect their fried chicken recipe.