Chefs have shared their opinions on social media, warning diners about ordering the "special" on a restaurant menu. According to some, this dish may not always be the freshest option, as it could be made from leftovers. However, others argue that the advice depends on the type of restaurant you're dining in.
What Chefs Say About Specials
In a Reddit discussion, one chef warned customers to be wary of the "special" listed on the menu. They said: "When I worked in a kitchen, the 'special' was actually a concoction of any leftovers we could make use of." Another claimed it was widespread practice across the industry, adding: "That's pretty much industry-wide practice. Leftover items that will go bad in a day or two are the special."
However, others jumped to the defense of the practice, arguing it can be a savvy way for restaurants to cut down on food waste, provided proper food safety guidelines are adhered to. One user said: "That is how it is at my place too. Have a large banquet one night and the leftover food becomes the dinner special for the next few days. Doesn't stop me from eating it though."
Mixed Experiences
Another recounted a far less pleasant experience, writing: "My ex once said: 'I don't care if the Seafood Explosion is just yesterday's sushi cooked in cream sauce. It's delicious!' Followed by six hours of convulsive puking." Others were keen to point out that the practice wasn't representative of the entire restaurant industry. "To all the people who don't work in restaurants, this is only the case in s***holes," one person commented.
A former restaurant worker also shed light on the fact that specials are sometimes put together simply to avoid discarding perfectly edible food. They wrote: "Specials are often the food that is closest to going bad. For anyone wondering: Yes, chefs and other cooks throw away food in restaurants all the time. They just throw away food when it is spoiled or unsanitary, not unwanted."
What Famous Chefs Say
Even Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay urges diners to think twice about the specials. Speaking about soup specials, he indicates they're often just leftovers dished out time and again. Speaking to Town and Country, he advised: "Ask what yesterday's soup du jour was before today's special. It may be the case that it's the soup du month."
Meanwhile, the late chef Anthony Bourdain also warned Kitchen Confidential readers against ordering fish on the first day of the week. A fish special may have been sitting in the kitchen since Friday, remaining unsold.
