Category: Culinary

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.

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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.

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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.

You have made the decision to go to a culinary school. Now what? Culinary school options are many, around the world, even. To choose one, you need to consider several aspects. Think that it doesnt matter? Around the world there are hundreds of thousands of people looking to be the next big chef. One of the first deciding factors on who you are as a chef is the culinary school that you attend. On that note, let us help you to find some answers to your questions about finding the best culinary school for you.

Your first step is to decide in what area you will specialize. Bakery, gourmet, and everything in between are your options. Not sure yet? Then, look for a culinary school that can provide you with a basic learning of many aspects of cooking. This will lead to a foundation of love in one or more eventually.

Use the web as a tool. You have heard it before, but most culinary schools now have the ability to provide details about their school, including why you should choose them, on their websites. This is an excellent way for you to learn more about the schools on a preliminary plane.

Venture into the arena of scholarships. Look at culinary schools that are abroad. Understand the various schools of thought that are presented in each culinary school. Ask questions and get answers.

Visit the culinary schools that are known for their excellent students. Find out where students who have graduated from that school have gone and done with their lives. Observe a class. Tour the campus.

Of course, one of the largest concerns that people have when it comes to culinary school choice is the cost. These schools are not cheap by any means, but the education you get will last you a lifetime. It is wise to consider quality well over price as much as you can. And, make sure to look into financial planning and financial aid.

Choosing a culinary school that feels right is important. Get all aspects of the decision just right and you can find yourself on your way to earning a culinary school degree in no time.

Although the culinary school admission requirements will vary from one program to the next, there are a few things you can expect regardless of the type of institution you are applying to. But the type of school will definitely have a lot to do with the requirements that you are expected to fulfill. The culinary school requirements for a vocational school, for example, will differ greatly than those for a prestigious institution such as the Culinary Institute of America that has the most prestigious young chefs vying for admittance. But in either case, you will at least be required to fill out a detailed application.

When you apply for culinary school, you will be required to gather information on your own about the requirements. It is important to understand exactly what documents you need, how you are supposed to submit them, what information is required, and what format the admissions committee expects everything to be in. Applications often require written statements or essays detailing why you want to start a culinary career, for example. This is the most important of all school requirements, as it is the first impression they get of you, so you’ll definitely want to take some time filling out the application.

The culinary school admission requirements for more competitive programs are likely to include a lengthy list of documents and information. They may also expect you to have experience including seminars, conferences and research about the culinary industry. Two- and four-year culinary programs will require a high school transcript, letters of reference from professors or employers and a detailed resume of your culinary experience. Some vocational programs may only ask for proof of a high school diploma or GED, while others may require work experience, and others might test your knowledge of weights and measurements or skills with important techniques.

The culinary school requirements that are expected of you will depend on the type of school you apply to, so if you want to take this route there is no time like the present to look into what the various programs require. Then you’ll be ready to go when you decide to apply.