(Reading, PA – October 3, 2012) – Is it the chef, the ingredients or the pro appliances that make a perfect meal?  In the hands of a culinary artiste like Chef Josiah Citrin, it’s a thrilling combination of all three.

Whether at work or at home, Chef Citrin painstakingly seeks out the finest quality products for every single dish he creates.  His ability to remember, define and pinpoint nearly everything he sees, tastes, touches and smells has created an almost encyclopedia-like knowledge of all things food related.

While fresh ingredients and skill are crucial to success in the kitchen, the variable component is usually the cooking equipment.  That’s one reason why Two-Star Michelin Chef/Owner Josiah Citrin of Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica uses restaurant quality BlueStar™ gas oven in his home.  Why BlueStar?  “The way it is made, commercial, yet perfect for home, and yes, the power,” says Chef Citrin.

BlueStar pro appliances provide the home chef with a cooking experience that only can be matched by a restaurant kitchen environment.  It’s UltraNova™ power burners provide up to 22,000 BTUs of cooking power for consistent, controlled heat and shorter cooking times.  High heat cooks food fast and generally locks in moisture and flavor so food tastes better.  And for delicate soups and sauces, no stove matches BlueStar’s gentle 130° simmer burner.

In honor of National Kitchen & Bath Month, Chef Citrin offers a few tips for great tasting, yet simple meals, at home:

• For a juicy, crisp, roasted chicken: Brine the chicken the day before and let it sit unwrapped in the refrigerator overnight.  This is the secret to getting the chicken to crisp up and remain juicy and tender.
• Blended soups: Just prior to serving, blend the soup with a hand-held immersion blender to create a lighter, airier soup.
• Great salad dressing: Always season the vinegar with salt and pepper first before adding oil.
• Grilled vegetables: Brush with a marinade of balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic, honey, lemon zest and a fruity extra virgin olive oil.  And once you put them on the grill, leave them alone and let the grill do the work, turning them over as little as possible.

And, there’s always an option for indoor grilling, even if you live in sunny California like Chef Citrin.  BlueStar’s heavy-duty, commercial stainless steel indoor charbroilers are a great addition to a home kitchen.  With 15,000 BTUs of power and adjustable grate positioning for variable temperature, the charbroilers offer perfect grilling, thanks to the intense, even heat. Chef Citrin’s own 36″ metallic copper BlueStar includes a charbroiler.

Handcrafted in Reading, PA since 1880, BlueStar ranges come in an infinite number of unique configurations, including grill and griddle options, to accommodate all cooking needs.  Not only are BlueStar ranges, cook tops and ovens restaurant grade but its wide array of 190 different colors make any kitchen more unique.  Of course BlueStar offers stainless steel as well, but who wouldn’t want a true professional and colorful kitchen that will make foodie friends turn 50 shades of green with envy?

For more information, visit bluestar2016.wpengine.com