It has been said that the way to a person's heart is through
their stomach. In the simplest sense, this means it is possible
to influence people by feeding them good things to eat and
drink. In fact, the most successful sales people prefer
to close their biggest sales deals over a fine meal. Many
of life's greatest moments, memories and experiences happen
around a table piled with delectable meats, rich vegetable
dishes, gourmet desserts, and culinary creations of all
kinds!
These are the great benefits of a career in the culinary
arts; the opportunity to influence people's experience,
marry art with a career, and create memories that last long
after the taste of the food has faded. Sitting down to a
well-prepared, nutritious meal is a universal joy, meaning
that everyone in the World can appreciate this experience.
There are few service professions that are so thoroughly
valued, or so regularly enjoyed. Many people start off their
working lives with entry-level positions at restaurants,
bakeries, butcher shops and supermarkets. For some people
though, the culinary arts become a lifelong passion. Beyond
just nourishing the body, cooking and serving a great meal
nourishes the mind and soul as well.
Preparing and cooking food is indeed an art form of the
highest order. Unlike other art forms, the product of the
work is gone in minutes. But the memories of our greatest
meals last a lifetime. Also, cuisine is often associated
with specific cultures and geographical regions of the World.
The fusion of various gourmet styles can result in innovative
and unique creations but generally the best chefs have been
classically trained in one of several national cuisines
some of which include:
-
Italian Cuisine: Italian
food has its roots in ancient culture and is typified
by bread, pasta, wine, olive oil and cheese. Meals in
Italy generally have a structure of several courses including
antipasti or appetizers, multiple main courses and side
dishes, desserts and Espresso. Food preparation and eating
in Italy are an advanced art form and a celebration of
life.
-
French Cuisine: French
Cuisine is quite diverse and characterized by elegant
preparation, rich sauces, cheese, bread and all kinds
of herbs, vegetables, and game. Of course, wine and champagne
are also ingrained in French Cuisine. French food is one
of the most diverse of national cuisines and the study
of French food can take a lifetime.
-
Indian Cuisine: Indian
Cuisine describes an extensive variety of food also, typified
by the use of spices and herbs and especially curry. Indian
food is very unique in its use of rice, wheat flour, pulses
and exotic oils like mustard oil, coconut oil, and groundnut
oil. The ingredients in Indian food can taste very strange
to the American palette but always makes for a memorable
dining experience.
-
Mexican Cuisine: Mexican
food is extremely rich in taste and texture but also in
its robust nutritional value. Mexican food is packed with
protein, vitamins and minerals and is among the most diverse
and robust national cuisines in the World. Owing to a
history of occupation and strife, Mexican cuisine has
been influenced by ancient cultures, Spanish culture and
even Caribbean flavors. The main staples of Mexican food
are corn and flour tortillas, beef, chicken, pork, peppers
and vegetables of all kinds.
-
German Cuisine: German
cuisine is characteristically rich and generally incorporates
meat eating, more specifically beef and pork. Meat is
most often made into a variety of sausages, of which there
are thousands of variations. German food is often accompanied
with dark beer and lots of it, tangy spices of mustard
garlic and horseradish, a wide variety of breads and also
cake for dessert. Dining on German food rarely leaves
one feeling hungry.
-
Thai Cuisine: Most
Asian cuisines have been influenced by Chinese cuisine
but Thai food has several unique elements. Jasmine rice
is an indigenous food that gives Thai cuisine a unique
flavor and character, as does sticky rice. Thai food relies
heavily on noodle dishes such as Pad Thai and Rad Na.
Unlike other Asian cuisines, Thai food is generally served
as one dish incorporating a myriad of flavors.
-
Chinese Cuisine: Widely
considered the most diverse and extensive of national
cuisines, Chinese food takes on many forms and flavors.
There are two main elements of a Chinese meal, one being
a carbohydrate or starch such as rice or noodles, and
the other being a mix of vegetables and protein, typically
meat. As with Chinese culture in general, Chinese cooking
can be difficult to learn and penetrate for foreign-born
enthusiasts. It is important to note that Chinese food
preparation and service is founded on thousands of years
of cultural maturation and innovation.
These are just some of the cuisines of the World. There
is now a trend toward the fusion of various styles and flavors
in creation of new foods, and unique dining experiences.
For instance, New Mexican food brings an American perspective
to the traditions of Mexican cuisine. And Caribbean influences
like tropical fruits and seafood can be adapted to many
of these styles creating whole new movements in the Culinary
Arts. Chefs from all parts of the World and with different
schools of training have nearly limitless tools with which
to create their art!
Having listed the benefits of a culinary career, it bears
noting that working in a restaurant can be extremely challenging;
what with odd hours, stressful shifts, and what can often
be a cauldron of social and political tension. A job in
food service typically requires many late nights, as people
in bars and restaurants like to enjoy themselves well past
midnight, and regulations require a thorough cleaning of
the restaurant at the end of the night. This means that
the staff can be there until dawn. Also, finicky patrons
can make a shift challenging, sending food back to the kitchen,
complaining about any aspect of the meal and keeping the
staff on their toes.
For many Americans, the service and presentation of a meal
can be as important as the food itself. Therefore, it is
vital that the stress and chaos of the kitchen does not
extend to the table, where customers expect to relax and
enjoy great food and service. Every employee of a restaurant
must keep this in mind as they perform their part of the
fine dining symphony of creation. There are many potential
job titles in the Culinary Arts and each has its own unique
responsibility. These jobs include:
-
General Manager: This
person is generally more oriented towards business than
the culinary arts, handling the hiring of personnel, the
inventory and the operation of the business itself.
-
Executive or Head Chef:
This person generally has extensive knowledge of food
preparation but also must handle the managerial, administrative,
and business aspects of the kitchen.
-
Sous Chef: This person
is generally second in command, standing in when the head
chef is away and fostering all operations of the kitchen
staff.
-
Expediter: This person
is a go-between for customers and the kitchen, ensuring
the accuracy of the orders and the quality of the dish.
When a restaurant is busy, the expediter can be the greatest
asset.
-
Station Chefs
or Line Cooks: These professionals will usually
prepare a handful of dishes or sides over and over. Especially
in larger and more expensive restaurants, station chefs
can include a sauté chef, fish chef, roast chef,
grill chef, fry chef, vegetable chef, roundsman, butcher,
and pastry chef.
There are many pieces that must be available if a meal
is to be prepared and served in a timely and professional
manner. The finest restaurants and staffs train for years
in the proper cooking and presentation of hundreds of different
dishes. Culinary excellence is part artistry, part science,
part service, and can be very challenging and rewarding.
There are many culinary schools that can prepare you for a career
in the culinary arts so be sure to choose the school that
is right for you. If you are interested in one of the national
cuisines listed, be sure your school has programs that will
train you in both the basic elements and some of the more
elevated innovations. If you have a specific position in
mind such as Executive Chef, be sure that your training
and study will prepare you for success in that career path.
Also, if you are working while studying be sure that your
school can be flexible to your scheduling needs. The late
nights working in a restaurant can make thorough study a
challenge.
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