All posts in Culinary

The Melting Pot Of California Cuisine

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The hip culinary style called California cuisine is getting more and more popular lately. Although the term is familiar to lots of folks, fewer are capable of explaining what it is. The state of California is a cultural melting pot, and so is its cuisine. “California cuisine” refers to the use of local and organic foods that are prepared with inventive applications of herbs and spices and the use of techniques from around the globe.

The food found in California shows its rich history of cultural integration. Since the state contains such a variety of cultures, California cuisine has always been a “fusion” food from all over the world. For example, since California was a part of Mexico until 1848, its food still reflects some of its Mexican and Spanish culture. The Gold Rush and the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad brought thousands of immigrant Chinese, who shared the flavors and cooking methods that to this day influence the food along the west coast. In the 1960’s, the influx of “hippies” to the San Francisco area popularized the philosophy of “peace and love” as well as local food movements like vegetarianism. A final and essential component of California cuisine is the application of French cooking methods. Many of the chefs who cultivate and promote California cuisine have taken their culinary training in France. All of these elements influence the recipes and cooking styles to create food that is a unique collection of flavors and ingredients.

Fresh ingredients are the common threads that unite the diverse cooking styles that define California cuisine. Because the rich California land is ideal for growing a variety of items, seasonal produce is always available. With an inexhaustible source of local foods, there are limitless menu ideas. Organic produce and hormone- and antibiotic-free animals are the hallmarks of the cuisine. Lastly, vegetarianism is seen a lot in California cuisine to appease its health minded population. Ideally, California cuisine celebrates the freshest, most wholesome, sustainable menu.

Avocado, citrus, herbal items, seafood, and tofu make up the basics of California cuisine. In terms of protein choices, meat and chicken are commonly used – lamb and pork less often. Innovative methods, like flash cooking on the grill or stove top to preserve color and freshness, have also evolved. A vital part of the cuisine is presentation and appearance. One iconic example of California cuisine is a sushi bar staple – the California roll. Crab, cucumber and avocado combine in a nori and rice wrap for this classic roll. Restaurant goers often sample California rolls as a prelude to testing more exotic items.

A longtime pioneer of California cuisine is Alice Waters. Her Chez Panisse has, since the 1970’s, been regarded as the standard for the movement. Wolfgang Puck is another famous chef who made California cuisine more popular. These chefs and the restaurants they created are outstanding examples of the spectacular and varied food one can create with local and seasonal ingredients. As people seek fresher and more localized food items, California cuisine is assured of keeping its place.

Scope Of Baking And Pastry

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Pastry schools
Pastry schools provide students with training and expertise to become good bakers/pastry chefs. They offer various degrees and programs through which students learn the art of baking. Pastry schools offer the following degrees:

Bachelors of baking and pastry arts
Students enrolled in this program learn how to make bakery items and pastries. They will be given knowledge and in depth training, preparing them to become professional bakers or pastry chefs. Students also learn the scientific and biological components involved in baking, providing insight into chemical compositions and human health.

Students practice the techniques and processes of baking and pastry making in kitchen labs. This includes all categories of pastry such as deserts, patisserie, confections and specialty breads. The course also teaches students interpersonal skills, ethics, psychology and management skills that are required in the professional field of cooking.
The courses studied in the bachelors degree are:
Baking and patisserie
Culinary science
Business maths
Culinary skills and equipment operation
Food service and kitchen management
International cuisine
Nutrition Masters in baking and pastry art
In this program, students learn the baking techniques and methods for creating all kinds of confectionaries. Apart from spending hours in the kitchen classroom, students will also be taught managerial skills that will be essential for working in professional restaurants and kitchens. This is a two year program where some of the main courses studied are:
Baking and pastry art skill
Theories in baking
Culinary Science
Culinary deserts
Food safety
Baking and pastry arts theory
Business entrepreneurship

Kitchen management
Certificates and diplomas

Pastry Schools also offer certificates and diplomas. These short courses are designed to prepare individuals for the professional world of culinary arts. It includes teaching students different techniques for pastry making, pastry handling, decorating, packaging and marketing. Main courses studied include:

Bread and pastries
Yeast and dough fundamentals
Plated dessert fundamentals
Cooking with chocolate
Bakery production Top pastry schools
The best Pastry Schools where individuals can attain degrees in bakery and pastry are:
Institute of culinary education(NYC)
Texas culinary academy
California culinary academy(san Francisco)
The school of culinary arts-Kendall college
Career prospects for pastry chefs:
Pastry chefs can face a wide number of opportunities in the professional world of pastry art. Following are some options:
Work for a bakery
Patisserie
Restaurant
Become a food critic or writer
Teacher
Open up your own business The pay scale of pastry chefs ranges from $24,000 to $64,000 per annum.

Career Options in 2011

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Rising unemployment rates in the recent past have made hunting for a job a guerilla search. The good news is that while most sectors in our economy have suffered cutbacks in employment, many of them are now back in business and are ready to hire. Here’s what you should be doing.

Still in college or heading there? You have the opportunity to make the smart career choices now that can hone your skills for the job opportunities that are in greater demand today.

Already employed? Now is the time to consider upgrading your credentials with a course that could augment your skills and qualify you for promotions or a new career.

Careers that Show Excellent Growth Prospects

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certain sectors of our economy are showing more optimistic signs of growth.* To enhance your job marketability, below are a few career options you should consider pursuing in 2011.

Healthcare. Its not for everyone, but if you’re looking for the likelihood of job security, this could be the place for your skills. During the recession, the healthcare industry was one of the few industries that actually hired more people. Plus, employment rates have been rising in almost every field of specialization. Career options are open in nursing, healthcare management, medical assisting, and accounting in hospitals and long-term facilities.

Energy Sector. As gas costs continue to rise, focus today has turned to saving energy and discovering alternative fuel sources. Opportunities lay ahead in marine, wind, and solar energies, carbon management, and more.

Business Administration. Business will always require administrators and managers, and opportunities are growing. Sales and customer service representatives are also in demand. Plus, with business gone global, more multinational companies are looking for people who are willing to travel or relocate to different parts of the world.

Information Technology (IT). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT is one of the fastest-growing job markets.** There is a huge demand for a top-level, higher-end IT workforce, which includes talented systems designers and software developers. Internet publishers have good job prospects as well. The IT industry is dynamic, and a bright future could lie ahead for those who can keep up with the pace of information technology.

Good News for Fresh Grads
The job market for fresh grads is growing. Entry-level job postings for candidates with less than one year of experience have increased by 13 percent from the previous year at the end of 2010.***

Courses can prepare you both practically and academically to face real-life challenges in todays job market. There are a wide range of degree programs to consider in order to pursue a career in any of these growing fields, including health sciences degrees nursing administration degrees, information technology degrees and more.

*United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Statistics.” dol.gov/dol/topic/statistics/index.htm
**”Fourth Quarter 2010 Career Trend Analysis Report” Beyond.com, Inc. beyond.com/Media/BeyondcomCareerTrendAnalysisReport-4QT10.pdf
***Koc, Edwin and Mimi Collins. “Job Outlook 2011: College Hiring Outlook Positive in All Regions.” NACE. naceweb.org/Press/Releases/Job_Outlook_2011__College_Hiring_Outlook_Positive_in_All_Regions.aspx

Pacojet – The Culinary Professionals Choice For Making Gourmet Sorbet, Ice Cream, Gelato, And More

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Pacojet is a revolutionary countertop machine that is essential to every culinary professional kitchen. It whips up frozen dessert creations quickly, and without much fuss. This is a dream machine for chefs who strive for top quality with minimum effort. It has become an essential food preparation device for chefs nation and world wide.

Pacojet is best known for its Pacotizing process: mixing and pureeing deeply frozen food directly in its frozen state, producing a fine consistency intended to maximize flavors. Using Pacojet as a sorbet, ice cream, or gelato machine is best when using fresh and natural ingredients.

Pacojet isnt just for making frozen desserts. It is a versatile, creative, and labor saving tool that also makes savory sauces, pts, and anything you can imagine.

The 3 step Pacojet process couldnt be easier. Step one: fill the beaker with your ingredients. Step two: freeze filled beakers to -20 degrees celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) for 24 hours in a regular freezer to ensure that the contents are frozen to the core. If you have a shock or blast freezer, this only takes 4 hours. Step three: Pacotize the contents, using the pacotizing blade with the machine. Enter the desired portions, and the Pacojet does the rest. The results will astound you!

Whatever the application, whether its appetizers, concentrates for soups and sauces, or your favorite ice cream or gelato recipes, the Pacojet process is always the same. Beakers can be prepared in advance or during slow periods, stored deep frozen until needed, and require no thawing either prior to or during processing. Because of the constant frozen state, there is no need for additives, preservatives, or flavor enhancers. Partially used beakers can be put back into the freezer, which means nothing is ever wasted.

No kitchen is too big or too small for Pacojet. Its compact countertop design fits well in any space. The needs of larger kitchens can be accommodated simply adding more Pacojet beakers for higher production rates. Many chefs are known to rely on multiple Pacojet machines in their work spaces. Pacojet requires no special installation and uses a standard socket.

Another benefit of Pacojet is that it will cut time, labor, and ingredients costs, thus increasing the profitability of any restaurant. Cleaning the Pacojet is also a simple and time saving endeavor. Its even easier than the 3 step Pacojet process.

This high performance machine encourages the culinary expert to experiment with innovative ideas for food textures, flavors, aromas, and taste for frozen desserts and savory dishes.

Pacoject is made in Switzerland and is the most innovative food preparation appliance to appear on the market in ten years. It was developed in collaboration with renowned chefs from around the world. Pacojet provides a simple and reliable method for the fresh production of a large variety of frozen desserts. It is a cost effective and labor saving tool that top chefs have been known to take with them everywhere they go.

Choosing the Best Culinary Schools

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Creating culinary Schoolscomparisons is a must when you’re planning to list in a cookery program. That way, you will be able to know what among them is best for you.

Sooner enrollment to any of the culinary schools out there, you may finally weigh each of your choices. Ask yourself about what kind of chef livelihood you would like to pursue. It is okay to take your time seeing that whatever decision you’ll make will influence your future.

Below are some of the types of cooks and the definition of their profession. It will be best for you to know about these things previously making a choice a baking class for yourself.

Executive Cook

?The highest paid out of all gourmet chefs ?In-charge of ordering stocks and outlining of the menus ?Confirm the value of food ?Manage the activities of the section gourmet chefs ?Build up and bring in staff

Sous Cook De Cuisine

?The second in control to the executive cook ?Deputizes the job of the executive culinary artist when he is off or when it’s appropriate

Saucier

?Creates all the sauces and every now and then prepare certain dishes in their specific sauces

Garde Manger

?Specializes in cold foods such as salads, canap?s, cold sauces and pates ?In charge of ice sculpture

Personal Cook

?Be employed for a family or an personal

Pasta Gourmet chef

?Specialize in making pasta dishes

Research Culinary artists

?Works with a group to coach new food products ?Enhance the current food products of a business ?Actualize food concepts or recipes for practicing ?Provides input for a food brand

Once you’ve made up your mind about the kind of chef that you want to be, your next step should be to be a guest of the culinary Schools of your choice and seek about the courses they offer. Once you see its accommodation and the environment in it, you can ask yourself if this is the institution for you.

To ensure that you’ll get quality culinary awareness, enroll to any of the top culinary schools in your country.

culinary Schools