More salt is not always the answer if you’re looking for more flavor. A chef needs to be creative when working in the kitchen, constantly tweaking and innovating. Creating a dish with memorable flavor that keeps people wanting more is what it’s all about!

Here are 5 quick tips to help you add more flavor to your dishes.

1. Play with smoke – Smoke is a wonderful way to create a depth a flavor in a dish, especially in meats. Experiment with different barbecue woods like cherry, pecan, or oak – each wood has a distinct aroma and can pair well with certain ingredients.

2. Use fresh herbs – Don’t downplay the power of herbs! Fresh herbs are an excellent source to lend a vibrant flavor to a recipe. Consider growing an herb garden at your restaurant so your herbs are as fresh as can be. Try using fresh herbs where dry herbs are called for and don’t be afraid to test some you’ve never tried before.

3. Cook with wine –  A very versatile ingredient, wine can impart a variety of flavor notes based on what wines you use and how. Try using wines in marinades, sauces, baking, braising – the possibilities are vast.

4. Create unique house-made sauces – A sandwich just isn’t a sandwich without a great sauce or spread to accompany it. A special proprietary house-made sauce can be that little something that packs a great flavor-punch and keeps people coming back for more. Experiment with creating house-made aiolis, hummus, hot sauces and other dips to compliment your sandwiches, burgers and appetizers.

5. Remember umami – Umami is now widely accepted as our “fifth taste.” Utilizing umami-rich foods in your cooking can offer your guests that savory satisfaction their tastebuds desire. Read our special article about the power of umami and how you can apply it to your cooking.