Flambé

Definition

Setting food on fire at the table for dramatic effect and/or to burn off alcohol. It's cooking's answer to a magic show, minus the actual magic and plus occasional eyebrow loss.

Also: The dramatic act of setting food on fire with alcohol, because apparently cooking wasn't exciting enough without the risk of burning your eyebrows off. It exists at the intersection of cuisine and arson, and every home chef attempts it exactly once.

Example Usage

The crêpes were flambéed tableside, and the sommelier's composure remained intact despite the flames.

Origin

French term meaning 'flamed'

Fun Fact

Most alcohol doesn't actually burn off; you typically retain about 75% of the original alcohol content, so flambé is more theater than health benefit.

Source: Classical French dining and presentation standards

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