Waste Not, Want Not

The weak economy may have cost you a job or a raise, or even what food you buy.

I spoke with celebrity chefs Jacques and Claudine Pepin at last weeks Pebble Beach Food and Wine event sponsored by American Express Publishing. The stars of their own PBS shows said the recession has forced people to economize on what food they buy, by becoming more aware of using all their food and avoiding waste. Claudine says people are finding better ways to make leftovers more palitable and cooking more meals at home with local products. And in order to stay in business this is a tactic Claudine says more restaurant chefs should adopt.

"People can't waste and there are a lot of chefs that don't know how to not waste. But there are a lot of chefs that will use every single little bit; those are the ones that are successful."

Jacques says the trend seems like a natural progression, because when he started 40 years ago cooking was not as popular. But now people are becoming more comfortable with themselves and their kitchen. It seems cutting back in the kitchen can help your waistline and your wallet.