I only really fake it anymore with sommeliers who are being really snotty to me and I don't want to take their grief and so I try to do something to kind of throw them off or put them on the defensive, even if I don't know what I'm talking about
Alton BrownA home cook who relies too much on a recipe is sort of like a pilot who reads the plane's instruction manual while flying.
Alton BrownLast year, I made a refrigerator in my basement. And I needed to because I needed to figure how - you know there is no such thing as 'cold.' There is only less heat.
Alton BrownCooking is an observation-based process that you can't do if you're so completely focused on a recipe.
Alton Brown