Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Becoming A Professional Cook

By George Dodson


Due to the advancement of media and television in particular, there are shows of various genres than are all the rage at present; especially cooking programs. Each cooking program has its own rules. Certain shows provide contestants with recipes that they are to follow. Other shows put their contestants into hot water by getting them to cook a dish with no manual after tasting a sample. Famous guests are a common feature. . They either show of their cooking skills themselves or assist those that are cooking.

Some shows feature professional chefs. They are renowned around the culinary universe. They also have prior experience working in two-hat and three-hat restaurants. At present, there are shows where professional chefs themselves challenge each other in cook-offs, usually for a hefty sum of prize money. Their food is judged by an unbiased outsider who will compare the dishes in terms of their elements and whether they are on par with expected standard.

The primary question here is: How can one become a professional cook? The first step is learning the basics of working in the kitchen. Some of the important ones are the ability to cook your own recipes; knowing how to use kitchen equipment and utensils as well as proficiency in various cooking styles. They ensure every dish produced is as visually appealing as it is tasty. They also ensure that the area in which food is being prepared in is sanitary.

Knowing what sort of chef you want to be, whether you want to cater on a large or small scale and the type of food you want to cook is mandatory.

Professional training is important. There are many culinary institutions and hotel schools that exist for this very purpose.The basics of cooking include learning general terms, methods of cooking and commonly-used utensils and appliances. Working as an apprentice will help you apply your theoretical knowledge to the real world. This will considerably boost your chances of being hired by a renowned restaurant or hotel. Famous cooking schools sponsor apprenticeships for this reason.

Aim for an American Culinary Federation as certification from here will be an extra benefit for you. It isn*t a must for you to receive employment but it will improve your overall image. The information in this article will greatly help you if you want to follow in the footsteps of other famous culinary experts in the world. However, keep in mind; cooking is more than just an occupation. It is a science and a skill that needs to be honed. This skill is supplemented when the cook has a zeal for the vocation and this is translated in the food he or she makes. This is what truly makes a great chef.




About the Author: