Nine Fun Facts about Culinary Arts

Did you know July 25th is celebrated as Culinarian's Day to honour all the chefs and cooks around the globe? The delicious and scrumptious meals that you relish undergo various stages of preparation. The food experts - chefs and cooks - must be thanked immensely for their efforts. Culinary art is an exciting career to learn everything you can about various cuisines and the methodology that goes into their preparation. Today, let us learn something fun and exciting about the culinary world that is less heard and will surely surprise you!

Fun Facts about Culinary World

1. Word!

The term "culinarian" represents culinary art professionals. "Culina", is a Latin word that means cooking or cooking place. All the professionals who work in the cooking industry are known as culinarians.

2. A culinary is not about being a chef, baker, or cook, alone.

That's correct! The career options and opportunities are limitless for Culinary Art and Hotel Management Institution students. The options include lecturing, consulting with various food chains, menu designing, specialty products, food photography, food safety standards, catering, food-related policies and laws, and many others.

3. Do you know there is a Patron saint of cooks?

Everyone knows the story of Jesus. When Jesus visited Martha and Mary in Bethany, Martha prepared meals for him and his disciples. Therefore, St. Martha is known as the Patron Saint of Cooks and Culinary.

4. The Food Magician!

Chefs are food experts who know the food details inside-out. They can easily pick up the differences and various flavours of the dish just by tasting. Chefs relish their food more than anyone and appreciate when people recognise the nuances.

5. Ever thought about who opened the first ever restaurant? And what incredible work they set in motion!

Legend has it that Monsieur Boulanger, a soup vendor, began selling delicious, healthy soups and broths to people in 1765! The name "restorative", indicated nutritious food and its benefits. The food business idea paved the way for hotels, bars, and inns.

6. France is the Ultimate Food Hub!

The fine dining concept first originated in Paris, France. La Grande Taverne de Londres was the first restaurant that opened as a luxury dining experience for the local residents of France, in 1782. It had an elegant dining area, superior cooking, professional waiters and staff, and a finest stocked wine cellar! Nothing can go wrong with delicious food, followed by wine! Gradually, the concept of fine dining spread to other parts of the world.

7. Chef's Favourite Knife?

It is believed that most chefs in the kitchen prefer sticking to a specific knife of weight and precision, making it their favourite knife!

8. The Clay Tablet

Culinary art and food science date back to 1700 BC! Numerous researchers and historians believe that wine, bread, meat, stew, and soups were for royalties. The Yale Culinary Tablets has insights into the food of the historical times and is thought to be the oldest cookbook ever! How awesome is that? The first paper-based cookbook was published in 1896 and is called Fannie Merritt Farmer’s Original Boston Cooking School Cookbook.

9. The Cooking Schools

The diverse field of culinary arts was gradually gaining attention, globally. The famous Boston Cooking School, opened in Boston, the US in 1879. Similarly, the world's most esteemed cooking school opened in Paris in 1895 and is called Le Cordon Blue.

Today, the culinary arts have gained wide popularity and opened a door of opportunities for candidates. In India, there are various colleges and institutes that provide admissions to potential candidates. Some famous ones are the International Institute of Culinary Arts, Culinary Academy of India, Hotel Management Institute, and many more.

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of V.M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha