Any chef who prepares a dish that can bring me to orgasm is an artist in my book. Have you ever tasted a ratatouille so wonderful that it made you weep for joy? Or a barbeque sauce over perfectly seared ribs that conjured visions of heaven?

Culinary magic is essentially about inducing peak emotional responses. Yes, anyone can sate his hunger with a plate of boiled spuds, but to be transported to heaven by a magnificent serving of scalloped potatoes Lorraine requires an artist.