With 13 books to date, a magazine, a daily talk show, and cooking programs on the Food Network, Rachael Ray is our generation's Julia Child (and then some). Do you have what it takes to follow in her footsteps? Keep reading to find out if you've got the qualities of a professional "foodie" and how you can turn your passion into a culinary career.
5. You Have Pet Names for Your Favorite Ingredients
Does E.V.O.O mean anything to you? Rachael uses this abbreviation for extra virgin olive oil, an ingredient in almost every dish she makes. Have you started giving nicknames to food? If you throw around terms like O&G (onions and garlic) and R.R.P (roasted red pepper) on a regular basis, maybe it's time to think about taking this hobby to the next level! As a student in a culinary arts program you could learn more about the proper procedures to use when handling your favorite ingredients as well as safe ways to store your food masterpieces.
4. You Coordinate Your Clothes with Your Apron
Is your closet full of those handy stain-blockers, in colors and patterns for all occasions? While cooking school might not be the best place to wear that bright red holiday number (white tends to be the standard at most institutions), a credential in food could give you even more reason to strut your fashionable stuff in the kitchen, and maybe even to add a hat to the ensemble. Who knows? With a formal education in culinary arts you could even start your own line of trendy kitchen-inspired apparel. All the famous chefs are doing it!
3. You're Taking Reservations for Thanksgiving 2010
Everyone knows that your house is the place to be when it's time to eat. If you think you knocked their socks off last year with your signature cornbread, chestnut, and fig stuffing, just imagine what they'll say once you've got a few cooking classes under your belt. Instruction in menu planning will come in very handy when you sit down to organize next year's feast, and the pointers you could learn about reusing leftovers to minimize waste will make even your turkey sandwiches out of this world! You'll have the guests saying "yum-o" with every bite!
2. You Host Iron-Chef Parties
Friday night finds you getting down--in the kitchen! Have you found the perfect way to use blueberries, hazelnuts, tilapia and arugula? Sometimes watching others cook isn't enough--and only inspires you to create your own "stoup" (a stew-soup combo á la Rachael). If you find that you're spending much of your free time developing recipes and thinking about new and unique ways to combine ingredients, why not devote some of those spare moments to investigating ways to funnel this creativity into a culinary career?
1. You're Still Paying Off Last Month's Grocery Bill
Can't walk out of the supermarket without a bottle of truffle oil or some expensive, imported cheese? Those little splurges add up quickly, as you know. While it's possible to cook and eat well on a budget ($40 a day, according to Rachael's popular show), the gourmet extras can make a meal stunning. Next time you find yourself sweating at the cash register, think about this: the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2004 the median hourly wages for head cooks and chefs were $14.75. Imagine getting paid well to do what you love! While competition in this field can be fierce, passion and enthusiasm combined with the know-how you can get in culinary arts school could take you far--maybe even to a coveted time-slot between the Barefoot Contessa and Sandra Lee!
What's Cooking in Your Future?
So next time you're waiting for your salmon to marinade take a few minutes to research culinary arts programs. You'll find a plethora to choose from, both on-line and campus-based. There are currently 169 post-secondary cooking schools accredited by the American Culinary Federation in this country and abroad. There's sure to be a program that fits your interests. Combine your love for food with a culinary arts degree, and, to quote Rachael, you'll be "good to go!" Search for culinary schools in your area. >>>