Though he's known for upgrading traditional Southern cuisine with cutting-edge techniques (he uses liquid nitrogen in cold-milling corn for grits), Mr. Brock believes cooking simply is just as challenging as cooking with modern gadgets.

WSJ: Sean Brock's Beet, Strawberry and Sorrel Salad | Slow Food Fast

He's known for performing "cryosurgery"--a form of surgery that uses liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide to freeze off cancerous tumors rather than cutting them out or amputating the host limb.

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