Jan 03 2008
Too Cool For Cooking School
It used to be the pure passion for cooking was enough to get you started on the path to being a professional chef. Not anymore! The cooking field has become so competitive, meaning that now a degree is usually required in order to be successful. This is just one of the many reasons why cooking school is a great idea for those who desire to become professional chefs. Before you can attend cooking school, evaluate yourself to find out what you are looking for in a school—and then find a cooking school that matches your needs.
A Higher Education
There are many different cooking schools that accept aspiring chefs. However, not all of them are the same. It is important to understand your own personal criteria before applying to any culinary schools. Many cooking schools focus on one specific are of cooking. For example, some schools will focus on baking and pastries. Other schools are designed to focus on a specific cuisine—Italian, Mexican, Japanese—the list goes on and on! Identifying your goals as a chef is part of the process you will undergo before applying to culinary school.
Are You Cut Out For The School?
Culinary school is not for everyone. The professors and teachers at culinary school are usually very critical of every dish that is presented to them, expecting no less than perfection. Therefore, someone looking to attend culinary school must always strive for perfection. It is important to be able to take criticism constructively, and to admit that your dish might not be the bets.
The cooking industry in general will expect a lot of a chef; therefore, cooking school imposes similar expectations. Most chefs have to work more hours during the evenings and during weekends, because this is when the prime time is for the restaurant business. To prepare you, culinary schools will often impose similar schedules. Be prepared to make sacrifices, but also be prepared to have a lot of fun.
Worth It In The End
Like most things in life, becoming a professional chef will not come easily. You will have to make sacrifices and work very hard. However, once you have graduated from a cooking school, there are so many options available to you. A beginning chef can earn anywhere between $28,000 and $35,000 per year—and with experience, this number will surely rise. Get your degree in cooking to expand the opportunities you will have throughout your life.
(NC)—Adding new flavour to traditional foods can be fun and be a great way to get family members to try new foods. Indian flavoured products are becoming widely available and provide a great opportunity to create mouthwatering recipes for the whole family. This shrimp korma recipe is a quick and easy one for the entire [...]
(NC)—Mulligatawny soup originally became popular with the British stationed in India (employees of the East India Company) during Colonial Times. When they returned home, they brought the recipe back with them to England, and to other members of the Commonwealth. In fact Mulligatawny is the Anglicized name of two words for “pepper water,” molegoo (pepper) [...]
(NC)—Here are two easy ways to bring some excitement to your next children’s party – Wacky Waikiki or Purple Razzle Dazzle Shakes. For dozens more delicious treats to thrill your child, visit www.homebasics.ca.
Wacky Waikiki Shake
2 large ripe bananas, peeled and quartered
1 can frozen pineapple or pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)
1/2 cup milk
4 scoops Breyers [...]
Savor the Flavor Every Day, Every Way
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(ARA) – Long overlooked, mushrooms are nature’s hidden treasure for helping those focusing on living a healthful life. To promote the nutritional benefits of fresh produce this back-to-school season, Weight Watchers continues Pick of the Season, a public health initiative spotlighting seasonal fruit and vegetables, with recipes this quarter [...]
Skyrocketing gas prices and escalating grocery costs have put getting more for a dollar top-of-mind for many consumers. Many Americans are tailoring their grocery shopping lists to ensure they get more bang for their buck. That means purchasing items that provide the best nutritional punch for their value.
Luxury items like prepackaged or single serve meals [...]
Blueberries are most abundant and least expensive in the summer, making it an ideal time to get your fill of these little blue gems. Stock the fridge and freezer with blueberries to make meals, snacks and desserts that are easy on the cook. Blueberries never need to be peeled, pitted, stemmed or chopped –just a [...]
I have to admit, I like spicy foods. Mind you, I don’t like to cry while dining, or break a sweat, but a good kick is always appreciated (I don’t think I’d ever survive eating in England!).
Late summer is a great time to get to know chiles, whihc are Latin Am,erican fruits, by the way.
Chiles [...]