Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Finding the Right Career in the Food Industry

In almost every field of practice, both educational attainment and skills are considered by the employers when looking to hire the most promising job-hopefuls. The food industry, however, may be a little lenient especially in the academic department. Many times, it only takes skill, training, and a little bit of experience to get hired in a food retail job. It doesn't even take the highest degree from a world-renowned school to successfully put up one's own pastry shop. All it takes sometimes is an impressive cooking experience coupled with sheer natural talent.

But more often than not such opportunity opens only for the few lucky ones. Everyone's best bet, even for those aspiring to land any career in the food industry, is to go for a formal type of education. This will not only help in honing one's knowledge and skills, but will also provide bigger and better job opportunities in the future.

If you are planning to pursue a career in culinary, enrolling in a duly accredited school will best prepare you for your embarkation on a good job. Of course, you should choose a program that is fitting for your preferred field of duty, budget, and time allowance. Enlisting in a course that trains you in all the unnecessary departments will only be a waste of your time and money.

There are a number of training options in this industry. Just like other professions, one can enroll for an associate's degree program, a bachelor's degree program, or a certificate's program in culinary arts. Whichever degree program you choose, make sure that you choose one that is offered in a school that has been properly authorized by accreditation offices. The degree program requiring the least amount of time is the certificate program which only entails a total of six months to one year of schooling. Next is the associate's degree, requiring two years. The longest is the bachelor's degree, which will take a minimum of four years to accomplish. In addition, there are also masters degree and doctorate degree programs should you wish to go for a higher level of education. Each of these programs takes around six and eight years of schooling, respectively.

The quality and amount of opportunities you receive upon graduation will depend on the type of education that you have acquired. This is because people who have been schooled in a culinary school for a longer period of time would have gained more exposure to essential concepts, and are expected to have a broader cooking experience compared to the rest.

Among the many career opportunities in the food industry are jobs as a nutritionist, a food critic, pastry chef, executive chef, or a position in hotel and restaurant management. If any of these is your dream job, then you can jumpstart your successful career by enrolling in the best culinary school there is for you. Always remember that success cannot be acquired overnight, it is a gradual process which you can start with as soon as you are holistically ready.

For more information on how to maximize your cooking experience, visit our website http://www.crescentcitycooks.com.

What You Should Know Before Attending a Cooking School

The population of people wanting to pursue a career in culinary arts today is steadily on the rise. Every year, more and more people are enrolling in institutes that offer programs and courses in culinary. This is because a degree in culinary arts is usually an advantageous step to a good cooking career. People who wish to pursue a career path in culinary are advised to enroll in a reputable cooking school. Just like any other profession, being a chef also requires passion and skill.

While a formal culinary education is not really a prerequisite to a successful career in cooking, getting a degree in any culinary program can help you choose from a broader set of career opportunities. In this case, your best bet would be to enlist in a good culinary school and choose a course that best suits your capabilities and intelligence. If you wish to work as a full-time chef, then go for a program that focuses on giving the best training for aspiring chefs. However, only the best culinary schools can render a sound training and education in cooking. How would you know if a school is efficient in its goal of educating hopeful chefs? Here are some guidelines:

1. Accreditation
It is very important for any school to be duly accredited in whatever field it specializes in. When you enroll in a cooking school, be sure that it has received all the necessary authorizations from proper offices. This will guarantee that the degree you earn is acceptable and will greatly aid you in finding better career opportunities in the future.

2. Types of Degree Programs
There are three types of programs namely: Associate's Program, Bachelor's Program, and Certificate Program. Of the three, the highest level of education is the Bachelor's degree; however, it also takes the longest. If time and budget are an issue, it is best that you enroll in the shortest course which is the Certificate Program.

3. Externship Programs
Another important consideration that you should take in joining a culinary school is the type of externship program that it offers. This program is offered at the end of the course where you will be tasked to assume responsibilities in an actual work setting.

4. Availability of High-Quality Equipment and Facilities
The availability of proper cooking paraphernalia and facilities is crucial in order to learn effectively. If you are schooled in an institution where facilities are sub-par, you might not be accustomed to work in high-end establishments where facilities are up-to-date, making you less qualified for good job opportunities.

Admission to any degree program in culinary arts can be pretty easy. While admission requirements typically include no more than a high school diploma and a genuine passion for the said career, there are those that are stricter in accepting applicants where an interview or a certification in any professional cooking exposure may be required in order to enroll. Interested individuals must always check the specific requirements asked by the school in order to save time and effort.

For more information about the essentials of getting in a cooking school, visit our website http://www.crescentcitycooks.com.

The Way The Secret Of Coffee Works Out

A cup of coffee is useful when you really need creative ideas. That is the reason why many writers and painters enjoy a superb cup of coffee. If these people are grouped based on their coffee preference, there'd only be a tiny portion of non-drinkers. You will find something in this bittersweet beverage which makes individuals demand more.

It's a drink that people on the run rely on to jump-start their working days. This specific beverage is witness to a new multitude of conversations that transformed the earth. So much so that in the past, in 1675, the Ruler of England banished coffee houses, declaring they were areas where individuals met up to conspire against him. There again, for some reason that coffee triggers individuals to think, to examine, to go over ideas and perhaps later on, to act on it. Whether coffee got a thing to do with it, or was only seen in those essential occasions, we'll can't say for sure. It is a beverage that turns on the mind.

I'd have merely concluded that coffee is really a magical beverage taken to us by fairies, presented by unicorns to stay up and about yet no, science carries a method of outlining why coffee has these kinds of results on consumers.

Coffee has caffeine, a stimulant substance seen in a few plant life. You can find caffeine in green tea leaves among others. This substance influences our nervous system simply by acting as a stimulant which helps fend off sleepiness and reestablishes alertness. The thing is, in the brain, there is Adenosine, a nucleoside or a chemical substance which attaches to Adenosine receptors. Once that happens, it will cause the individual to truly feel drowsy. It's a normal process that occurs in the brain therefore working with a sleep-wake cycle.

Each time a man or woman enjoys coffee, caffeine tip-toes toward adenosine receptors and links to it making adenosine out of place. It is a difference from exactly what our body interprets normally when the pituitary gland feels this, it deems it a crisis situation. After that it will cause the adrenal glands to create adrenaline. Your system frees kept energy to ensure you could use it to the identified crisis and that's why you feel so energized up. Coffee also impacts the dopamine levels within the brain. This will cause elevated heart rate and blood pressure levels. This mechanism increases the oxygen brought into the body which will raise the performance of all the body organs in your body.

The greater oxygen in the brain, the harder it works; the more it works, the higher the ideas. This particular truth should be sufficient to explain why coffee is a lot of people's best ally. It's more reliable and a lot likely accessible whenever you need an "upper". Moreover, having a caffeine-high is completely lawful.

Do you love to drink a cup of delicious coffee every time? Take a try coffee offered by The Bean Providore. For more information about them try to search on google coffee roasters online.

Comparison Between Jam and Jelly

Fruit spreads are the preferred choice of bread toppings for many people throughout the world. They are available in several varieties and a multitude of flavors ranging from the basics to some quite exotic blends. Jam and jelly are the two main types of preserves used by those who like a naturally sweet dressing.

Interestingly enough, the United States FDA states that the two are the same by their basic definition. Both are preserves that are derived from fruit and form their unique consistency through the additions of sugar and pectin. They differ quite a bit in the way they are prepared, the flavors they deliver, their textures and even their nutritional values.

Both of these spreads are a delicious way to add a fruity flavor to breads without a lot of unwanted excess. In a side by side comparison with butter, jams and jellies deliver nearly half the calories of butter or margarine. They contain no fat and are can be a nutritious and delicious way to get a quick boost of energy. Marmalade and other fruit-based butters are actually just variations of one of these two formulas.

The most significant differences between the two preserves is in the way they are prepared. Jam is created by crushing and boiling entire fruits. Every edible part is included in the mash. As it heats, natural pectin from the skins are released and provide the mix with a firm, gelatinous consistency that is somewhat lumpy.

With this type of spread, there are likely to be several small chunks of fruit left in the mix from the crushing. Pulp helps to give it a more fluid consistency. In many cases, such as with small berries, the seeds will not be strained out because they have certain nutritional values and add an extra pop to the flavor.

With jellies, the fruit is crushed and strained until nothing is left behind but the juice, which becomes the main ingredient. As the liquid boils, both sugar and pectin are added to the mixture. A reaction between the two additives is what causes the concoction to thicken up and allows it to be spread easily and smoothly.

Since only the juice is used, there are no skins to provide natural pectin, thus a substitute must be added to make it firm up and set correctly. It has a tendency to have a sweeter taste than jam because the inherent tartness that comes from whole fruit is not present and the sugar becomes more prominent. With no real explanation why, children seem to be drawn to this smooth spread more than any of its counterparts, and it is said that before the age of 18, the average person will consume close to 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

So, though they are prepared along the same basic concept, there are some significant differences between jam and jelly. It all comes down to individual tastes and whether one prefers smooth to lumpy or tart to sweet. Whichever is the preferred option, either will prove to be a most pleasant culinary experience.

The same Jam Jelly, and sweet breads that we sell at our restaurant we also sell online so you can have them sent right to your doorstep. Click on this link Jam and Jelly to order today, also visit our restaurant site Beckeys Kountry Kitchen

The Best Of Rome Cuisine

If you like travelling and you have a sweet tooth, Rome is definitely one of the places where you should go on holiday. The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Mouth of Truth and countless opportunities to have fun and enjoy the world's best cuisine (according to experts). There is such a long list of Italian dishes that it is easy to get confused. Here a few suggestions to enjoy Rome cuisine in particular. The gastronomic tradition of this city is in fact very special. What are Rome's most famous dishes?

Let's see a list of them with their original Italian names accompanied by a translation/explanation. So you will be able not only to recognise them but also to order them!

Bruschetta: the most popular appetizer in Rome. The Romanesco word means "bread which is lightly burnt", rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes and oil.

Abbacchio alla scottadito: simply roasted lamb chops (they are served hot).

Pasta cacio e pepe: pasta in a delicious pecorino cheese and black pepper sauce.

Trippa alla Romana: tender tripe in tomato sauce, served with pecorino cheese.

Carciofi alla Giudia: artichokes which are tender inside and crunchy outside. It is a typical Jewish Roman dish.

Saltimbocca alla Romana: Roman-style veal with ham and cheese. "Saltimbocca" means "jump in the mouth".

Supplì: fried rice croquettes stuffed with cheese and beef ragout.

Fiori di Zucca: zucchini flowers, filled with anchovies and mozzarella cheese.

Maritozzi: soft buns with candied orange peels and raisins, usually filled with cream.

Pasta alla Carbonara: spaghetti served in a sauce made with eggs, bacon, pecorino cheese and a bit of black pepper.

Rigatoni con la Pajata: pasta with ringed veal intestines and pecorino cheese.

Coda alla Vaccinara: oxtail stewed in tomato sauce.

Pomodori con riso: Tomatoes filled with rice, served with delicious roasted potatoes.

Ciambelle al vino: hard cookies to be dipped in wine as an after dinner.

Porchetta: pig roasted, typical from the countryside.

Crostata di ricotta: cheesecake made with ricotta and lemons.

What is the location where history and cuisine come together? The old Testaccio rione is definitely the right place where you can find Rome's most traditional dishes. This area was defined "the belly" of the city, and many butchers used to live there. There is a big Jewish influence in Roman cuisine, because there were many of them in the past. Ancient Roman cuisine included pig's trotters, genitals and brain.

I guess you are ready to experience the Eternal City's entertainment and cuisine. Both traditional and modern dishes will not let you down!

Limo Tours Rome is a first class Rome airport transfer service, providing dock transfers, Rome tours and other professional chauffer services.

Cake Decorating Tips

Cake decorating may be a fun thing for family members to do. Moms and kids may do this for special occasions to make it more memorable. Though it will take lots of practice and experiences before one could prepare a perfectly decorated cake, nevertheless, it will be one great achievement for those who will be able to hone their skills and creativeness when it comes to cake decorating.

Here are some things to remember when decorating cakes for the family, for friends or for others as gifts:

* Before decorating the cake, it is necessary to put it on a serving platter with some strips of wax paper under it. This is needed to protect the platter from getting messy during the decorating process. The wax paper may just be pulled out after.

* Brushing off the extra crumbs from the cake should also be done before spreading the frosting to make it set. The next or the final layer of frosting can be done or the decorations may now be put in place. Leveling the cake before decorating may also do the trick.

* Paste food coloring may be used in order to make the colors brighter and more vivid.

* Cake decorating bags may be filled halfway only to make it easier to work on the decorations. The tip of the cake decorating bags should be held close to the cake before squeezing it.

* It is also necessary to select the proper icing to use. Those who choose butter cream icing should see to it that they have prepared the right consistency in order for the decoration to look attractive.

* Those who would like to make use of fondant have to learn how to do it properly. A smooth and wrinkle-free fondant makes a cake look very elegant and delicious as well. There are some techniques that can be used to cover the cake with fondant perfectly.

* When choosing cake decorating tips, it is necessary to select those that are made of materials that do not rust. Cleaning in warm soapy water and then rinsing the tips with hot water will be helpful in preserving the quality and the life of the cake decorating tips. Other equipment and materials used should also be cleaned and kept properly after each use.

There are lots of recipes as well as designs for various types of cakes. One may start decorating cakes as a hobby and then may think of doing some small business out of it. Cakes are expensive these days but people especially families can still enjoy the best taste and the best decorated ones through their own efforts and creativity.

Get in the business of making people happy with your own cake baking business. You will have fun while servicing others. Learn everything you need to know in setting up a cake business and start making people happy.

10 Of the Best Fruits for Your Health

All fruits are good for you, but here are 10 of the best for your health.

1. Berries

Berries are one of the best fruits for you as they are very low in sugar. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are full of vitamin C, high in fiber and are low in calories. Berries are also a great antioxidant.

2. Grapes

Grapes a low calorie fruit, 1 cup contains an average 100 calories. Grapes are rich in vitamin C but have lower fiber content than berries. Red grapes are better for you than green, as they contain a higher nutritional value. Red grapes contain flavonoids which protect blood vessels. The darker the grape, the more of these flavonoids there are.

3. Apples

With less than 100 calories per apple, they are a great choice. High in Vitamin C and rich in antioxidants, it has been suggested that a group of chemicals in apples could protect the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Maybe an apple a day does keep the doctor away.

4. Papaya

Papaya is a great exotic fruit. It is rich in antioxidants and contains Vitamins C, B and E. 1 cup of papaya has around 55 calories. Papaya is good for digestion as it contains papain, which is an enzyme that aids digestion. It is also thought that papaya may help to protect your body against cancer.

5. Avocado

This fruit is high in potassium and is a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, E and B6. Avocado is thought to promote heart health and is a good source of 'healthy' fat. Avocado is great fruit, because its hard outer shell stops pesticides from getting into the fruit.

6. Mango

A medium mango has about 130 calories, they have a higher calorie content than some of the fruits on this list, so should be eaten in moderation. Mangoes are full of vitamins B and C, calcium, iron and potassium. They are also a source of protein.

7. Pineapple

Pineapple is a great tasting tropical fruit, which has around 83 calories per serving. Like many fruits it is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Pineapple also contains the enzyme bromelain which breaks down protein and aid digestion. It is also thought that this enzyme has anti- cancer effects.

8. Bananas

Bananas are a great source of potassium, which helps to keep the heart healthy. A medium banana has just over 100 calories. They are a good source of vitamin B6, C and fiber. The consumption of bananas has been associated with the reduced risk of colorectal and breast cancer.

9. Grapefruit

This is a low calorie fruit, with have a grapefruit containing just 39 calories. Studies suggest that the grapefruit may help with weight loss in the obese and could possibly provide protection from diabetes.

10. Kiwi

1 medium Kiwi contains 46 calories, making it a great low calorie choice. Kiwis have a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamins C and E. This fruit also contains phytonutrients which have been proven to repair DNA and act as the bodies protection against some cancers.