Month: February 2019

A cooking school or culinary school is an institution devoted to education in the art and science of food preparation. It also awards degrees which indicate that a student has undergone a particular curriculum and therefore displays a certain level of competency. Cooking schools are often associated with public restaurants where a student can acquire experience in working in a real environment and perform in many roles.

There are several great cooking courses that are available today. People can choose courses that target specific kinds of dishes too. An example of this would be joining an Italian online cooking class. This will allow you to become quite experienced on Italian food when people have finished all of the classes. Most of these classes are certified by health and lifestyle websites. They endorse their site by continuously posting new classes and recipes. With these classes, one may never become bored or run out of options on what to follow.

There are also certain programs in culinary arts that are designed for those who wish to obtain an associate degree and certification in culinary. This area of culinary education is in the first place developed to provide the people the chance to develop their potentials in cooking. Also, the certifications are considered as an advanced form of culinary cooking education that it is offered to ensure that the ones practicing the craft are good enough to be considered as professionals.

Another important part of the culinary education is the training or apprenticeship. The apprenticeship programs now come in great number, each features areas of study that are to some degree unique from the others. However, for the apprenticeship to be taken, the student taking up culinary education must have completed first a three years study which include both classroom instruction and work experience.

Chef, caterer, pastry arts and restaurant cook are the most familiar four options in culinary school. There are, however, hundreds of jobs in the food industry. Students may want to direct their cooking career in the direction of management as executive chef, or in sales as a director of catering. There are also cookery programs in food and beverage management. Many people who hold culinary degrees strive to develop food products for the wholesale or retail market. Students can take their cooking training and become consultants for restaurateurs, chef school teachers, or even food writers.

As mentioned, there are a number of forms of culinary programs. Most of the culinary programs available out there follow certain guidelines which are considered depending on the degrees and areas preferred by the students. There some culinary arts programs that deal specifically to culinary certificates. In these programs, it takes about one year of study for people to complete them. The most commonly involved areas of study in this kind of programs are professional cooking, professional baking and pastry, cooking arts, professional personal chef, professional catering, and professional marketing.

If you have decided that you would like to become a top chef, you may be looking for the proper steps to achieve your goal. There are a few different schools of thought concerning how to become a successful chef.

Some of the best chefs today have risen through the ranks of the restaurant industry with nothing but on-the-job experience, grit and determination. However, thanks to celebrated cooking shows like “Top Chef,” there is heightened interest in a formal culinary arts education today. More chefs than ever before can boast a culinary arts degree.

So, where does that leave you? To become the best chef you can possibly be, many restaurant owners and managers will tell you that it requires a combination of hands-on real world experience and a degree from a high-ranking culinary arts school.

How Do You Choose a Culinary Arts School?

If you decide to pursue your degree, there are a number of important items to consider. In order to find the best culinary schools or colleges in your area, you need to create a checklist and do your investigative homework. Taking time to find the right school for you is the initial step to becoming a successful top chef.

Look for ACF Accreditation

The best culinary schools or colleges will be accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), so the first thing you can do to narrow your search is to look for schools in your area that carry this seal of approval. Among other things, an ACF accreditation guarantees that a school hires only certified faculty, does not exceed certain faculty-student ratios and abides by predetermined facility and curriculum standards.

Search for Real World Experience

The best chef schools will offer real food service experience as part of their culinary arts curriculum. In your search for culinary arts schools, narrow your choice to schools that offer student-operated restaurants. Then, go visit those facilities and try to talk to the students who are working there. What kinds of experiences are they having? If they are feeling the true-to-life pressures of working in a quality restaurant, you are on the right track in your college search.

Find Affordable Programs

Despite what you may have heard, a formal culinary arts education does not have to cost a fortune. You can find very good ACF-accredited community college programs that are extremely affordable. Because you may be facing low salaries at the beginning of your culinary career, it is important that you do not enter the workforce straddled with huge student loan debt.

Consider the Facility

Your search for the best culinary schools or colleges should include a close look at the actual program facilities. You may find that the ACF-accredited programs have been around longer and are therefore housed in older facilities. While their kitchens may not boast the newest and shiniest equipment, older schools have other positive features to consider. They will most likely have a large, widespread group of alumni who will be happy to help you as you work to achieve your career goals.

The newest culinary arts programs may provide more modern kitchens and high-tech classrooms, but you may find that those comforts come with much higher price tag. As you visit facilities, keep in mind that accreditation and real experience should be the top priorities on your checklist.

Figuring out how to become a successful chef involves taking the time to look at your current personal situation. If you are in a position that allows you to pursue a culinary arts degree, you are on your way to earning educational credentials that can take you a long way towards achieving your goal of being the best chef you can be.

Nestled between the nations of China and Japan is the lesser-known country of South Korea. Although sometimes overlooked as a destination spot in the region, this area of Southeast Asia is a wonderful place to visit.

Founded in 1948 when it separated from its sister nation, North Korea, the Republic of Korea became a democratic state at the end of World War II. In 1950, the North invaded the South, causing the Korean War until the two sides signed an armistice in 1953. Both the North and the South have similar, long-standing traditions, but South Korea has become a modern, global economic leader that Western culture has heavily influenced over the last half-century.

South Korea is home to roughly 48 million people of whom about 12 million live in and around the capital and largest city of Seoul. The land area is 38,463 square miles, slightly larger than the state of Indiana. The climate of the region is very mild year-round and residents enjoy all four seasons. The landscape of Korea is mostly mountainous and covered with lush forests in the rural areas, but you can also find rice fields, the country?s staple crop, in many of the valleys.

Top Attractions

Many attractions in the country are sure to lure a variety of travelers. One of the most famous is Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. While the location of the palace is over 600 years old, the actual buildings had been rebuilt a number of times due to invasions and hostile takeovers. The present buildings house both the National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum. Once home to kings and rulers, the palace is rich with history, cultural artifacts and architecture, and enjoys a large number of visitors annually.

Those fascinated by the history and culture of the country should also check out the Korean Folk Village located near Seoul. See what life was like for Koreans during the Chosun period (from the 1700s up until 1910) in this 243-acre village. Observe and interact with residents as you encounter them in traditional Korean dress, but do not be fooled. These people are not hired actors. Many of the residents of the village actually live there! Enjoy music, shows, and authentic foods from a long lost but not forgotten chapter in Korean history.

The most popular attraction in South Korea is the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, in Panmunjom. Set at the 38th parallel, this area is where the democratic South borders the communist North. Here you will witness propaganda from both sides of the border. See what the North wants visitors to see as a stable, booming economy, complete with elaborate buildings and highways, but in actuality is a sluggish, repressed society, as shown by the South. Many South Koreans have family and friends still living in the North that they have had no contact with for over fifty years. Travel and communication between sides is prohibited and the hope is that, one day, an end to dictatorial rule will open up the border once again.

On South Koreas west coast, in the city of Incheon, you can visit the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall. This site is a memorial to General Douglas MacArthurs combat operation that led to the liberation of Seoul during the Korean War. There are also a variety of amusements and maritime attractions in the vicinity for visitors to enjoy.

Some festivals that visitors should consider in their itinerary include the Chunhyang Festival, the Nankye Traditional Music Festival, and the celebration of Buddhas birthday. The Chunhyang Festival occurs annually in Namwon. Chunyang is the Korean equivalent of the story of Romeo and Juliet. Many visitors come to this festival in the beginning of May to experience Korean dance, music, and parades. The Miss Chunyang Pageant is held on the last day of the festival. The Nankye Traditional Music Festival is a celebration of Nankye, a Korean composer who is said to have created Chosun Dynasty Korean Music. This type of music is a beautiful ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that produce a sound unique to Korean culture. This event is held annually in Yongdong in September. The celebration of Buddhas birthday is held in May all over the country. Many Buddhist temples hold festivals and parades on this holiday that is celebrated by many Koreans, regardless of faith.

Culinary Delights

While traveling in South Korea, visitors can enjoy a variety of culinary delights. Most dishes are spicier than most Western palates are used to, however. The favorite of most travelers is pulgogi. This is a traditional Korean dish that consists of marinated slices of beef with rice and vegetables that is then wrapped in a leaf of lettuce. Along with rice, another staple food of Korean culture is kimchi. This side dish is typically served with every meal. Kimchi is a mix of fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, and is especially hot and spicy. Since it is eaten regularly, there are many variations of kimchi to choose from. For those less adventuresome, many Western restaurants have made their way to Seoul and surrounding cities, so those who want to experience the culture but cannot handle spicy foods, there’s usually a McDonalds or a KFC around the corner.

Source: www.leisuregrouptravel.com

other links:

www.grouptravelblog.com

www.grouptraveldirectory.com

Boiling water without burning it may seem like a simple process but in reality there are some individuals who simply do not know their way around the kitchen. They cannot tell you the difference between saut and broil. Culinary students who are interested in the top culinary schools must have some background in the kitchen if they hope to become an executive chef one day.

They have to know the basics if they want that ‘A’ on their souffle. It can be a demanding career and one that is tough on the body, mind and ego but for those who have the determination the pay off is extraordinary.

Top culinary schools are not everywhere. There are many located throughout the United States that offer a comprehensive cooking degree upon completion, yet there are some that do not and so you must go online. The only online school that may be applicable, should you want to run the front end of a restaurant, is The University of Phoenix with their Hospitality and Business Management program. However, this program will only teach you how to run the front of a restaurant, as it will not include any instruction in the culinary arts. Many cooking colleges offer a special type of arts program that is world renowned. At the California School of Culinary Arts Pasadena, you can partake in the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts program, about which most people are most familiar.

It is a great curriculum that offers three distinct programs, which you can either take separately or all together. They offer the culinary arts program, a baking program and a program that focuses on Hospitality and Restaurant Management.

If you are not thinking about obtaining a certificate or degree and simply want to further your skills and knowledge in the kitchen, then you may want to think about specialized classes in one area of culinary delight. You could take a Thai cooking school class or even an Italian cooking school class to teach you how to make those wonderful dishes you order at restaurants.

Choosing from among the top culinary schools can be difficult for students. Not everyone is cut out to be a chef. Some people never aspire to learn how to make the dishes served in five star restaurants. But for those who persevere and learn the tricks of the trade it can be a rewarding career filled with excitement and advancement. It is a dream of a lifetime for those individuals.

Enrich your knowledge further about top culinary schools from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our cooking school blog where a free gift awaits you.

Someone who aspires to venture into a culinary arts career would typically want to know “what prospects do culinary arts careers have for me?” This is a simple and typical question and yet not simple to answer. Like every other profession, a culinary arts career demands certain skills that are very specific.

These skills can be divided into technical and soft. Technical skills, of course, mean the ability to cook well and soft skills would mean ability to understand your customers and their tastes; persistence and determination to overcome odds and hazards the job brings with it.
Usually, people complete formal education on culinary arts before they take the jump. However, this is not essential that one has to. A formal education, such as a diploma has many advantages.

One, it helps you land a job which an absence of formal education may not. Two, a formal education on culinary arts usually train you on the soft skills and you become better at understanding varied customer tastes and preferences; you also become a good communicator. Three, a formal education is great because it gives a thorough idea on the hygiene aspect of a culinary arts career, which is an essential component. However, there have been many instances where people have gone on to do very well in spite of not having a formal education on culinary arts.

People usually have a defined career path when they join a hotel or a culinary institute. The objective of each such people is to rise to the position of chief chef and there are a number of positions or grades they have to be in before they go on to become the chief chef. These people typically begin as assistants who help their seniors by providing the materials required for cooking.

They are expected to pick up the art of cutting, grating, mixing and applying condiments well. These people graduate to the level of chefs who begin by actually getting to cook. The expectations from this level are the tastes and the hygiene factor.

Lastly, one can rise to the level of the chief chef who would be expected to supervise a group of chefs and even strategize on the dishes and their way of preparation, depending on customer preferences.

A culinary arts career can be a rewarding career, if handled properly. This is the instant gratification career where you will be solely judged based on how tasty and hygienic your food is and that would be an instant feedback. This single factor can make or break your career. If you decide to take the plunge, you must carefully consider whether you have the acumen. This is a seriously acumen based career and often, you either have it or you do not have it.