Imagine a holiday spread with a perfectly smoked ham, smothered in a sweet apricot glaze. Surrounding the ham is a plate of crisp haricots verts sautéed with aromatic ginger and garlic, a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes, baby carrots glazed with butter and brown sugar, and a winter salad featuring Stilton cheese tossed with fresh apples and toasted pecans. Hungry yet?
Even the most casual cook likes to kick it up a notch for the holidays. Whether you're entertaining in-laws, hosting a holiday party for friends, or making traditional warm-weather meals for your family, there's nothing quite as comforting as gathering around a table loaded with good food.
Back to Basics: The Culinary Essentials
All chefs have one thing in common--they once had to learn how to boil water. If your cooking knowledge terminates somewhere just beyond toasting bread, a "culinary essentials" course could fit perfectly into your holiday schedule. These short courses teach essential cooking techniques, basic knife skills, and the secrets behind stocks, soups, vegetables, and other essentials for a holiday table. In addition to being perfect for the beginning cook, culinary essentials courses also make an excellent gift for the student spending his or her holidays away from home.
- For baking beginners, consider this recipe for holiday potlucks--separate one package of sugar cookie dough into three pieces. Using a spatula, fold 3-4 drops of food coloring into each roll of dough. From there, fashion dough into holiday shapes or simply cut and arrange it on a cookie sheet and bake, as per package directions. Pile the colorful cookies in a basket for a festive presentation.
Culinary courses are available for all skill levels. If you're considering taking a few courses or even completing a degree program, talk to the school about typical courses they offer within the program. Finding a course that works for you is one gift that keeps on giving.
Small Course, Big Benefits
If you're known for your pecan pie or your mango chutney, you may have a marketable seasonal product on your hands, but taking your recipe from the family vault to the grocery store shelf requires a lot of planning and business knowledge. If you're ready to take your recipe to the next level, consider courses that focus on culinary management where you can learn about the business of food preparation and marketing. A number of schools offer commercial cooking and catering courses that give you behind-the-scenes knowledge about product marketing, professional presentation, and the business of working with clients.
- Try this delicious glaze for smoked ham--combine two tablespoons yellow mustard with four tablespoons cider vinegar, a teaspoon of water, and a half cup of brown sugar. Blend well, adjusting the thickness with water. Use it to baste ham in the oven or as a dipping sauce at the table
'Tis the season for family dinners, community functions, office potlucks, visiting relatives, and food-themed gifts. Improving your culinary knowledge over the holidays can mean reduced stress, a specialized knowledge, and bragging rights when your dish is the star of the potluck.
Benefits of a Culinary Education
Even expert home cooks can take a lot away from a culinary education. If your New Year's resolution is to find a career you love, consider turning your cooking skills into a culinary career. Seasonal chefs can get into the holiday spirit with pastry and baking courses. Cooks with a few tried-and-true recipes can expand their repertoire with a professional cooking course.
If you've ever dreamed of starting your own catering business or bakery, culinary business and management classes could be the perfect mix of food safety information, large-party cooking, and management techniques. After all, you may know how to braise an oxtail, but you'll need to know how to handle your employees, too.
- Keep your table as festive as the food you serve for the holidays--use warm color themes that match your dishes or the seasonal mood. For example, a burgundy tablecloth complements meat and bread and forgives the occasional red-wine spill.
Enrolling in a culinary educational program could mean a happier holiday or a new career. No matter how you slice it, a culinary education can make your season bright.
About the Author
Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.