Welcome to Jour series sharing Food Holidays: July 2022: National Culinary Arts Month. During July we celebrate National Culinary Arts Month. For Charlie this is a wonderful holiday which he can celebrate in his Home Economics Cooking Class and take a cooking class or two. Which I plan on joining Charlie in. Would you like to join us?
National Culinary Arts Month
National Culinary Arts Month is celebrated every year in July to pay tribute to professional cooks and chefs across the U.S. This is because it is not an easy job to create delicious new recipes. Neither is it an easy task to present these dishes in creative ways. One mistake and you will have to start all over again! There are thousands of chefs in America that have been trained to cater to different palates. To celebrate National Culinary Arts Month, join culinary schools, restaurants, and kitchens as they honor some of the most talented chefs in the country.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CULINARY ARTS MONTH
Before we delve into the history of culinary arts, let’s take a look at what culinary arts is. Culinary arts is basically the art of preparing and presenting food. A dish can look 10 times more appetizing if the meal is presented nicely. This is why the study and profession of culinary arts have managed to gain respect across the globe. This is why certain chefs are paid exorbitant salaries.
While the practice of cooking food has existed since the Stone Age, the techniques of cooking evolved with the introduction of Earthenware, and the availability of different vegetables and herbs, and the domestication of Livestock. This is the time when people started experimenting with recipes and different styles of cooking. During the 4th Century B.C., the Greek Archestratus wrote the first cookbook poem. Around the world, different Societies adopted different styles and theories of cooking. For instance, the Chinese highlighted the five basic taste sensations: sweet, sour, briny, spicy, and bitter. Which do you prefer and why?
By the 3rd Century B.C., a typical Greek kitchen had numerous cooking utensils that were used to fry and boil different Meats and Vegetables. By the 18th Century, cooking methods had evolved across the world and numerous cooks began sharing their recipes. The first recognized cookbook titled “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook” was published in 1896. Written by Fannie Farmer, the historic book is still available in print today. The obsession with different recipes went a little further in 1946 when NBC aired the first nationally televised cooking show with James Beard. Since radio was more popular during that time, numerous cooking shows were also aired on radio channels. If your parents are alive ask them if they remember any of these cooking shows or chefs.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CULINARY ARTS MONTH
- To celebrate National Culinary Arts Month, head out to a book store and purchase a cookbook. The type of cuisine you want to focus on is your choice. If you can’t make it to a bookstore you can download a recipe off the internet and start cooking!
- The best way to master the culinary arts is to learn from a professional. Celebrate the holiday by booking a class for a physical or virtual cooking class and remember cooking with a friend is more fun so invite them to take the class with you.
- Pay tribute to the chefs across the globe by concocting a recipe of your own and don’t forget to take pictures and share the pictures online.
5 FUN FACTS ABOUT CULINARY ARTS
- Did you know there are more male culinary professionals than females?
- Fine dining was created in France.
- Le Cordon Bleu is a famous cooking school in Paris.
- The Union Oyster House opened in Boston in 1826 which is the oldest restaurant in the U.S.
- The word ‘culinary’ was derived from the Latin word ‘culina’ meaning ‘kitchen.’
WHY NATIONAL CULINARY ARTS MONTH IS IMPORTANT
- Everyone knows Chefs serve us food we wouldn’t easily have been able to make ourselves which is why it is improtant to highlight the role Chefs play in keeping the culinary world fun!
- Most of us do not appreciate chefs as much as they deserve to be but during July, wrongful notions regarding chefs are eliminated and their achievements and talent are reintroduced to the world.
- To honor the holiday, people start cooking up their own recipes! This means many new recipes are introduced during National Culinary Arts Month.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
