> Don't just do a subjective taste test That seems like a silly prohibition. The taste is kind of the whole point; if one prefers the taste of "sear then cook

> Don't just do a subjective taste test That seems like a silly prohibition. The taste is kind of the whole point; if one prefers the taste of "sear then cook" over "cook then sear", then great. Whatever floats your boat. So what if the presentation doesn't meet some arbitrary standard? Unless you're cooking for Gordon Ramsay or something like that, hardly anyone's gonna care, 'cause steak is steak and - barring being burnt to a crisp - will be delicious all the same.