There is an art to homemade popcorn. It seems like nothing can compare to the mystical, magical movie theater popcorn machines that seemingly produce a constant flow of yellow, butter-coated kernels.

Professional chefs take their popcorn very seriously. “I’m a popcorn freak,” says 2011 F&W Best New Chef Carlo Mirarchi. “If I’m at the movies, I will let people go ahead of me in the concession line ...