Definition of Culinary Arts Facts You Should Know

It is not everyday that a person can take up or get an education on something he or she loves and then build it into a career. But in the case of culinary arts, it is possible. Those people, who have the passion for cooking and the gift of good taste, have a brighter future in the food service industry if they wished to.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in the field of culinary, then you should think about making a career out of it. But, you should know first what you will be getting into. The things you should be familiar with include the definition of culinary arts and According to the definition of culinary arts and the nature of the job. It would be best if you know the overview what culinary arts is all bout so that you can weigh things down whether to pursue a career on that field or not.

According to the web definition of culinary arts, it is the practice or manner of preparing food or the food so prepared. Considering the definition of culinary arts, it may sound easy to do. Maybe it is simple to you if you are used to cook your own dinner or party. Yet, you have to remember that in the world of culinary arts, you are to work longer hours. The nature of the work is very physically demanding. For example, requiring you to keep you on your feet, lifting heavy kitchen stuff, mixing large food vats, rolling pounds and pounds of dough, and only those who work in the real kitchen know what other things happen inside. Also, the working schedule is unusual. In other words, you are to work on weekends, holidays, and evenings which can mean not much time for social life.

But then again, as the definition of culinary arts implies, you are not to do all those things. Just don’t ignore the possibility, though, that you will have to do them someday, if the situation calls for it. Despite the negative aspect of a career in culinary arts, there is still a high level of satisfaction according to those who are already in the field. In fact, they commented that what they have for a career is a very rewarding profession. Who can argue with that if you are doing the thing you most enjoy performing add it up with customer’s satisfaction of what you’ve prepared – truly a rewarding job!

Each one of us has always dreamed of having a career that will give us the kind of life we wanted, but having one that will make you utilize your passion and expertise is another story. The story applies to culinary arts and to all those who have the talent for cookery and pursue a career in the food service industry. You can never be happier to be in a job you love doing, can you?

Cottage Food Laws Making Profits From Your Kitchen

If you search for a baking forum, several will pop up showcasing discussions about women worldwide using their home-based kitchens to bake cakes, cookies, pies, cupcakes, breads and more, all in an effort to make extra income and show-off their culinary talents. In 2002, Warren Brown, moonlighted as a cake baker, eventually leaving his job as a Washington DC lawyer to take his deliciously amazing cakes to the masses two bakeries. Today Brown has seven locations across Maryland, Virginia and the nations capitol.

Everyone knows someone who can create a delicious cake or pie; In fact, if you stroll through any community farmer’s market you will see folks selling their homemade baked goods, apple butter or heirloom candy? The ability to sell a food specialty is made possible in most United States (U.S.) communities by the existence of “cottage food laws;” a special law giving home food processors permission to make potentially non hazardous food products from the home kitchen. In the U.S., cottage food laws are different for every state so home food processor’s must check with their individual state regulatory agency to learn about specific food processing rules and food labeling requirements; while all other states may require the use of a licensed commercial kitchen.

Today eleven states currently have house bills pending, and the residents are hopeful these cottage food laws will pass bringing that much needed shot in the arm to their local economies. There is really no way of knowing how many home-based bakers and small food processors there are across America, however one thing is for certain, today the consumers desire for homemade, clean label foods with no preservatives opens the door for all food entrepreneurs ready and willing to become essential commodities in their community.

The list of states below have cottage food law legislation pending:

Arizona
HB2103 – 501R – I
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2103p.htm

Arkansas
The newest state to pass a cottage food law
http://www.arkansashouse.org/public/php/pdf_viewer.php?pdf=ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/2011/Public/HB1323.pdf

Maryland
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa12262.html

South Dakota
South Dakota Bill (HB1240)
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2103p.htm

Washington State
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2011&bill=5748

Charleston She Crab Soup The Signature Dish Of Charleston

Many restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina feature Charleston she crab soup on the menu. It is one of Charleston’s signature recipes. Sometimes referring to the types of foods in a particular region, signature foods are those which are typically used to identify the chef who cooks it the best.
The soup is named after the ‘She-Crab’, or female crab, which supplies the flavorful orange roe, or eggs, that consist of a chief ingredient in the soup. A culinary icon of Charleston, South Carolina, the Charleston she crab soup was conventionally a rich combination of cream, crab meat, roe (eggs), and a splash of sherry. The meat from a female crab is supposed to be sweeter, but it was the addition of her red-orange roe that created the dish’s depth of flavor and beautiful pale color and that resulted in the name she crab soup.
Roe is no longer harvested in order to maintain the crab population ecologically. But Charleston she crab soup traditionally has roe in it. Is it still she crab soup without the roe? The core of the recipe remains the same, but purists know that including roe in the basic recipe is the true Southern tradition. When you can, make the soup with roe and enjoy every precious spoonful.
It’s crucial that your crab meat be fresh, and so catching your own is the best way to make this recipe. Have a dozen crabs ready to shell–if you shell the female crab and find clumps of miniature red-orange beads inside, get excited! This is roe and you should be careful with it, removing it delicately and then stirring it into your soup. Crabs with roe on the outside, however, should be put back in the water.
The onions, garlic and celery need to be cooked in a heavy bottom medium sized sauce pain with some olive oil until they are clear. The next step is to deglaze the pan using sherry followed by the crab roe, bay leaf and shellfish stock. When that is done, get it to a slow simmer and simmer for 15 minutes.
After you add the milk, allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes. Then, keeping it on simmer, add the rice and cook until the rice softens up. Next, add hot sauce to taste, Worcestershire sauce, and mace. Take out the bay leaf and then use a blender to puree. Once smooth and thick, strain the soup using a fine sieve. Finally, add crab meat and season with salt and pepper.
When making the best she crab soup be sure to use high quality crab meat. Cheap crab meat that you need to take out of the shells is always mushy so don’t waste your time. Crab roe however can be a bit salty, so do use it sparingly. You can freeze crab meat and it will keep well if you use a secured sealed bag.

Careers And Training In The Culinary Arts

People who love to cook and experiment with cuisine from all over the world may find a career in the culinary arts to be the most rewarding. There is always a demand for cooks and chefs, and there are job opportunities anywhere a person may travel. There is also a good chance for opening ones own catering business or even a restaurant or bakery.

Any time a person turns on the television there is a large array of cooking shows of all kinds playing. There are even networks dedicated to food preparation. People love to watch expert chefs prepare meals and learn how to make the cuisine at home. Many chefs have reality shows, as well.

Currently, bakeries that make custom cakes and confections are featured in many of these popular shows. These culinary artists make such intricate edible designs that the creations often do not even look like food. Some have made cakes in the shape of people, favorite objects, or vehicles and even in the size of small cars. Some even have special effects like moving parts, lights, and smoke.

Wedding cakes are very popular on these shows as well. It is not surprising since a wedding is one of the most important events in a person’s life. Some of these cakes cost more than the bride’s dress and even look more beautiful.

Even those who do not want to be Hollywood chefs or have their own reality show can make a successful career in the culinary arts. Good chefs are always in demand, especially with restaurants that serve specific ethnic cuisine like Italian or Thai food. Pastry chefs can find positions at bakeries anywhere, and those who do not like to work for others can always open a catering business.

No matter what path one takes in this field, it is best to obtain some professional training first. Even people who grew up as kitchen helpers at their grandmother’s knee would benefit from a certificate or degree in culinary arts. Most community colleges have programs for this field, and there are options to branch into specific fields such as the pastry arts. One can also obtain higher degrees in the field.

Many larger colleges offer externships for the students to work in fine local establishments for pay. It is possible to train abroad in some cases, as well. This would be the best opportunity for those who desire to learn to cook gourmet cuisine from all over the globe. This experience can lead a person onto the path of becoming a world renowned chef. These are the people who eventually have their own establishments and television shows.

With the right training and experience, one can have a great career in the culinary arts. This is a far cry from simply making burgers in a casual eatery. There are many opportunities out there for those who wish to explore them. Everyone has to eat, and most people love to have a gourmet meal prepared for them by a person who has the skill and expertise to make it a truly special experience.

What To Consider When Buying Food Processors

There are different types of food processors in the market. They come in different sizes, for instance, to meet the needs of different types of customers, usually those who are culinary experts or people who like to spend most of their time in the kitchen. One of the numerous reasons people buy processors is that they want to save time making food. Those who want to make quick meals may find processors extremely handy. However, there are so many brands available nowadays, that which one to buy is the question. One way to find out is by reading food processor reviews.

Food processors come in different sizes. The small ones are good, because you can easily operate and clean them. If you are preparing food for yourself only, then a small one is suitable for you. Otherwise, go for a big machine, which takes up more space and is tougher to clean. Large ones also take longer to set-up, but they can really save time and energy.

Some people simply own a compact food blender, which is very portable. However, the problem with blenders is that they have fewer features. You cannot chop onions using a food blender, but you can do that using even a small food processor. A food processor can do anything that a blender does, but the blender cannot do everything the processor does.

If you want to buy a food processor, buy one that meets your needs. If you live alone, having one big in size is probably not economical. It is not rare for homeowners to have two different types of processorsone small and one big one. Usually, it is the smaller processor that gets used more often. The bigger one is only used for special purposes, like when preparing food for a party or a special dinner with friends.

Another thing to remember is to check out food processing functions. Food processors come with slicing blades, which are useful for certain recipes. The more functions a processor has, the more kinds of recipes you can do. People who are fond of cooking should invest in processors that come with a good range of functions. If you do not spend too much time in the kitchen, consider buying a processor with limited functions, which is also cheaper.

There is a little competition between blenders and small processors. One may be more appropriate than the other for some people. A small processor is the better option for people who do a lot of chopping. A blender, on the other hand, is the better option for those who prefer having smoothies and fruit blends. So, determine what you want and decide which one will be more useful for you. Many people think that its safe to have both.

The budget is another deciding factor. If you have a limited budget, you can have a small or compact processor, which is not a bad choice, considering it is a convenient kitchen appliance. For instance, a 1-2 or 3-5 cup food processor may be good enough already.

Do not forget to read product descriptions. Good customers read several product specifications before making a purchase. Also, look at the products warranty. At the same time, find out what previous buyers say about a certain food processor by reading reviews about it. Food processor reviews provide you with more information about the product which will help in deciding which one to buy. Again, you should also consider your culinary preferences.