Tag Archive for 'Cooking Classes'

Culinary Opportunities in High School

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on May 4, 2011
in Culinary Schools
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culinary opportunities in high schoolStarting a culinary career doesn’t always occur after you graduate from high school. In fact, the culinary arts and high school education are rapidly coming together as a way to prepare students for a strong future. Learning real, usable skills at this level allows students to take on post-graduate employment that much faster, or to be prepared for culinary college with a few advance skills already in place.

This fusion of high school learning and culinary training takes many different forms.

Traditionally, the only way students could learn how to cook was in home economics or even basic cooking classes. While these are great stepping stones, don’t expect to learn usable professional skills. The focus here is on cooking for personal use and as an introduction to measurements and home kitchen technology.

Many schools are taking this idea one step further by incorporating culinary arts programs at a vocational level. Magnet schools and charter schools are the best examples of this, since these educational facilities are designed around building specific skills within the student populace. In addition to core math and English classes, you will find restaurant management courses, student-run bakeries and restaurants, and even internship opportunities outside of the school. Overall, these programs tend to be faster paced than traditional classes.

Other public schools incorporate culinary arts programs for those students who demonstrate an aptitude and interest in the field. These programs are often partnered by outside nonprofit providers (such as the Careers through Culinary Arts Program). These programs focus on lower income and underserved high school populations, allowing the students to develop college and career opportunities in the restaurant industry. These programs are found primarily in urban school centers.

Some students might also be able to take advantage of Running Start programs, which allow junior- and senior-level high school students to take courses at a local college. Other opportunities include working in a restaurant after school or even working in the cafeteria at lunchtime.

Getting an early start on a culinary education is a great way to build skills and learn if this field is right for you. If you live in an area where culinary training in high school is available, it is best to learn what you can do to take advantage of it. However, if you don’t start culinary school until you’re ready for college, you can still look forward to a good future and great job opportunities the more traditional way.

Related Topics:

Culinary School Prerequisites

Culinary School Competition

How to Get into Culinary School

Find a Culinary School in Your City

Cooking and the Tourism Industry

Published
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on December 15, 2010
in Culinary Schools
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Tourism IndustryAs any culinary school student can tell you, cuisine can be one of the most important parts of travel. After all, who would go to France without trying the cheese, or to New Orleans without trying Creole cooking? Those attending culinary school in this day and age may be able to cash in on that desire by looking at jobs in “culinary tourism.”

What is Culinary Tourism?

Culinary tourism, also called “cooking vacations,” relates to trips people take where they are especially looking for a culinary experience. This is a relatively new segment of the tourism industry, and it is being embraced worldwide. There is even an International Culinary Tourism Association that defines the concept as “the pursuit of unique and memorable culinary experiences of all kinds, often while traveling…”

There are different types of culinary tourism, and today’s culinary student may find one or more of them especially appealing. The field used to refer mostly to high-end restaurants, with only the most affluent tourists being able to afford such trips. Now, however, that is referred to as “gourmet tourism” and only comprises one aspect of the field. Many tourists are now more interested in finding local “hot spots” or quaint places to eat or drink during their travels.

How to Get Involved in the Tourism Industry

Culinary students can get involved in the tourism industry in different ways. Some culinary schools even offer courses in culinary tourism. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable ways to get involved is to take a “study tour.” For those who are able to afford this type of experience, they get the opportunity to spend time in another region (in their own country or in another part of the world). Not only do they take cooking classes to learn how to make local cuisine, but they get the chance to observe, first hand, the host culture as it relates to food preparation and service, hospitality, eating/drinking customs, etc.

There are an incredible number of ways to use a culinary degree. Whether one chooses to be a dietitian in a large institution or a personal chef in someone’s home, the hands-on education is what gets them to their goal. For those who love to experience other cultures and are looking for a way to combine that love with their skill and drive to cook, a career in culinary tourism may just be the way to go.

Related Topics:

Cooking Vacations in Italy

When in Italy, Eat like an Italian

Find a Culinary School Near You

Give the Gift of Cooking Classes

Published
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on November 2, 2010
in Cooking Classes
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Cooking Class as a GiftCooking classes can be a great gift for that special someone in your life. It doesn’t matter whether they’re interested in all things culinary, or if they think the oven is just another place to store shoes – developing cooking skills can be a fun and interactive way to spend some time together. And with the rising interest in the culinary field, there are hundreds of different types of classes and cuisines to choose from.

Where to Find Cooking Classes?

If you’re giving a cooking class as a gift, it’s best to find a program that caters to amateurs. Most of these types of classes bring in a variety of skill levels, so it doesn’t matter how much hands-on training you have. Depending on where you live, you should be able to find cooking classes from local:

Community college continuing education programs: These non-credit classes are usually designed for seniors and the average consumer. The cost tends to be minimal, and the class itself will probably only run once a week.

Culinary schools: Many culinary schools diversify their own offerings by including one-time cooking courses for those not enrolled in their traditional program. Some of these courses might also be accredited for professional chefs.

Restaurants: Some smaller, chef-owned restaurants will offer culinary courses between lunch and dinner. This is especially great if you or a loved one is a fan of this particular eatery.

Private chefs: One of the fastest-growing trends is to invite a private chef over to your house to teach a personal course in cooking. When done in a party setting with plenty of friends and good wine, this can be a really fun and interactive experience.

What Types of Cooking Classes are There?

It’s best to choose a cooking class that matches the person you’ll be giving the gift to. Ethnic cuisine courses (like Ethiopian or Thai food) can be a great way to diversify your cooking skills in ways that you might not ever get a chance to otherwise. More traditional courses (like baking or knife skills) can be a great gift for a recent high school graduate getting ready to strike out on his or her own for the first time. Other courses like wine and food pairings or the art of barbecue can be personalized for someone who you know loves a good glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or slab of steak (or both!).

If possible, set up the cooking class gift with a gift certificate or other transferable options, since there may be a time investment involved, and you might not know for certain what your loved one has available. You can also supplement the gift with some great kitchen utensils that match the cooking course you chose. After all, learning to cook great food is made even better when you can repeat the experience at home on your own!

Related Topics:

Cooking Class: Food & Wine Pairings

Culinary Classes for Kids

Culinary Schools in Your Area

How to Find and Choose the Right Culinary School

Published
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on September 15, 2010
in Culinary Schools
. 3 Comments

Choose the Right Culinary SchoolIt is always a pleasure when someone mentions your web site or blog so I would like to thank The Reluctant Gourmet for including our blog on his new Squidoo lens called How to Find and Choose the Right Culinary School.

What is a Squidoo

Squidoo is a community website that allows users to create pages (called lenses) for subjects of interest. It was created by Seth Godin, Megan Casey, Corey Brown and Gil Hilderbrand, Jr and is one of the top 300 most viewed in the United States.

The Reluctant Gourmet’s Lens

How to Find and Choose the Right Culinary School consists of several “modules” each discribing different topics pertaining to finding a culinary school and choosing the right one. He looks at

  • What do you want in a culinary school?
  • What do you want to do after you graduate? (Poll)
  • Where to research culinary schools online?
  • Culinary career outlook
  • Financial outlook for the culinary industry
  • Books to read
  • Another poll on where you might want to work
  • An interview with a culinary student

And then there is a place where you can leave comments.

So if you are thinking of changing careers or starting a career in the food industry, we highly recommend you look at The Reluctant Gourmet’s lens, How to Find and Choose the Right Culinary School

Gluten-Free Cooking Programs

Published
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on August 27, 2010
in Baking School
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gluten free cooking programsOne of the hottest trends in the culinary world today is cooking gourmet gluten-free foods. Popular for its health benefits (shedding pounds and eliminating many types of allergies) as well as a way to live with illnesses like celiac disease, a gluten-free diet deals primarily with eliminating certain types of flours and sweeteners.

This includes cooking without wheat, barley, and rye, eliminating most types of flour, bread, pasta, and even beer. Although there are not yet any accredited gluten-free cooking schools, many reputable culinary institutions are incorporating gluten-free programs as part of a larger culinary package.

Ranging from baking courses (which can be particularly tricky) to straightforward American cuisine, these programs provide another layer of training for cooks seeking to build a strong portfolio of skills.

Benefits of a Gluten-Free Diet

Although most proponents of gluten-free foods cite celiac disease as the leading cause, there are a number of health benefits believed to be derived from this type of diet.

  • Staying away from gluten means avoiding many types of fatty pre-packaged foods.
  • Some researchers believe gluten contributes to higher risks of certain types of cancer.
  • Other researches cite the benefits of a gluten-free diet for those who suffer from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, autism, seizures, and other neurological disorders.
  • Gluten-free foods tend to be higher in natural fiber and protein.
  • A gluten-free diet may help reduce the side effects of anemia and diabetes.

Becoming a Gluten-Free Chef

When you learn gluten-free cooking, you’ll most likely discover new ways of cooking old favorites, as well as how to choose ingredients that avoid the gluten no-nos. (For example, soy sauce and most processed foods have some sort of gluten product, even if it’s only used as a preservative or filler.)

When it comes to cooking techniques, burgeoning chefs learn how to blend different types of flours, gums, and starches to replicate the use of regular flour. Although it is impossible to use a straightforward substitution, there are techniques and ingredients that can simulate the same chemical reaction.

If you are interested in learning more about this process and how you might be able to incorporate a gluten-free cooking class into your own culinary education, be sure and talk with the schools you’re considering. You might be surprised at how many of these types of courses are being included as a way to diversify your skills and meet the demands of health-conscious consumers everywhere.

Related Topics:

Recipes

Culinary Schools

Baking and Pastry Schools

Cooking Class Options: Food and Wine Pairings

Published
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admin
on April 8, 2010
in Cooking Classes
. 1 Comment

Food and Wine PairingsA good culinary education can mean a number of things. For students looking to learn everything at a big name school with big name post-graduation opportunities, it might be defined as a four-year program in which you live and breathe all things culinary. For students in search of a quick program that will teach them the skills needed to find entry-level kitchen work, a community college program or an intensive training course at a private vocational facility might be more the thing.

For students who simply want to boost one small portion of a larger interest in all things culinary, cooking classes provide a perfect solution. Offered through big-name schools, private chef tutors, and even continuing education courses, cooking classes tend to be both cost-effective and entertaining.

Cooking classes are usually defined as any program that lasts just a few in-kitchen hours. Some courses run over a period of six weeks, with students coming by for one or two hours in the evening one day a week. Other cooking classes are weekend or day programs, wherein students spend a few hours learning about a particular type of cuisine or skill.

Of these types of cooking classes, one of the most popular options is food and wine pairings. Thanks to a higher interest in gastronomic refinement than ever before, many home cooks and aspiring chefs are using wine pairings as way to bring a new level of fun and class to their food.

Many of the things you will learn in a food and wine pairing cooking class have to do with the wine itself (the sorts of things that sommeliers are experts at). You may learn how to:

  • Detect flavors and intensity in wine
  • Contrast and complement textures and flavors in the food
  • Distinguish between the different types of wine
  • Prepare and serve wine
  • Use appropriate glassware for service

Of course, one of the best things about a food and wine pairing cooking class is that you have to sample both the wines and the foods in order to make the best decisions for your palate! Whether you’re interested in furthering your culinary career or you want to explore new options in your personal accomplishments, cooking schools that teach these kinds of courses can provide the perfect solution for your lifestyle and  your budget.

Culinary School: What to Expect the First Month

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on January 5, 2010
in Culinary Schools
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First Month of Culinary SchoolGoing to culinary school is an exciting first step in building yourself a career in the food service and hospitality industry. It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling to New York to attend the Institute of Culinary Education, seeking out your nearest Le Cordon Bleu facility, or looking at the baking programs offered from your local community college: formal training and education can be one of the best ways to build skills and make contacts in the field.

You can also expect the same basic training during the first few weeks at your culinary school. Although there certainly are variations in what you will be learning as far as specifics go (for example, there will be differences in your curriculum if you will be learning classical French techniques vs. baking), most schools understand that new students are approaching a culinary career from a blank canvas.

Knife Skills
Having good knife skills is important no matter what type of cooking you’ll be doing, since it will give you speed and accuracy in your culinary endeavors. Most schools will begin with knife skills and training in the different types of knives and what they are used for.

Ingredient Familiarity
One of the differences between a cook who goes to culinary school and one who does not is being exposed to new and unique ingredients. You will learn the differences between flavor profiles and how you can use them to make unique culinary creations of your own.

Kitchen Technology
Of course, you’ll need to be familiar with a commercial or restaurant kitchen set-up before you can actually do anything with all those ingredients. Almost all schools will give students time to familiarize themselves with the different types of ovens and appliances they will be expected to use and master.

Kitchen and Food Safety
This is one subject matter that every good culinary educational facility will provide intensive training in. Until you know how to store foods, care for kitchen equipment, and work with sanitation protocols, you are a hazard in the kitchen. That’s why this is often one of the first things you’ll learn.

In most cases, it takes about a month of preparatory training in these subjects before culinary students really begin to delve in the subject matter of their choosing. It’s important to remember, though, that until these basic foundations are built, you can’t really begin to become the best possible chef you can be.

Skills Needed to Succeed in Baking School

Published
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on November 10, 2009
in Baking School
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i_baker_breadAlthough the two fall under the same umbrella concept of working in the kitchen, baking school and cooking school are two very different ideas. Cooking is very much an art form, requiring students to use their imaginations and their taste buds to come up with new, delicious creations. Baking is more like a science, and although there is certainly room for creativity, there is much about baking that has to do with measurements and proportions of ingredients.

Most of the time, culinary professionals focus on either baking or cooking, although they may dabble a little in both. If you think baking school might be right for you, consider the following skills sets:

  • Attention to detail: Because so much of baking school is about creating correct proportions of things like leavening agents, you have to be able to understand how the little things might make all the difference.
  • Adaptable and imaginative: At the same time, while you have to be able to adhere to time-honored techniques and recipes, you have to be able to come up with recipes of your own. That means taking the skills you learn and applying them to your own creations.
  • Physically capable: Much of baking is strenuous. You can expect to work in a hot, fast-paced environment, oftentimes for long hours at a time. In many types of settings, you’ll also need to lift heavy trays and/or cakes.
  • Team-oriented: When you go to baking school or even start a baking career, you’re not going to be going solo. You need to work well with others in both a leadership and a team setting, since commercial kitchens and bakeries often require collaboration from the start of a project to the finish.

Of course, you’ll also need basic kitchen skills. Fortunately all of these things can be learned as you go through baking skill. Some people are born with the type of patience and attention it takes to become a successful pastry chef; others have to develop these things over time. As long as you choose a good pastry arts and baking school, however, you’ve taken the right first step.