What Are Some Interesting Facts About Culinary Arts?

Culinary arts is a popular major for many young adults entering college. Studying culinary arts not only improves your cooking, but it can also improve your chances immensely at getting a job in the food industry. Once you have studied culinary arts, it is possible to enter the world in many different types of careers, such as a pastry chef, baker, caterer... the possibilities are endless. Although some view cooking as a chore, the study of culinary arts teaches you that food can be fun in a variety of different ways that does not involve eating it; well, at least not at the moment.

Whether you are thinking about going to school for culinary arts, or you are just a cook who wants to learn more, learning some interesting facts about culinary arts can be great fun. In fact, many people are not aware of the interesting facts that surround the culinary art industry, even those who are already well established within the industry.

Some of these facts may be more interesting than others, but knowing all you can about the industry can help with school and on the job once you have graduated.

So, here are some interesting facts:

• One of the most fascinating facts about culinary arts is that it is a relatively new thing in society today. In the past, recipes were typically passed down from either teacher to apprentice or were kept within the family for a parent to teach and send along with their child.
• During the late 1800s, the first school that instructed culinary arts opened its doors to interested students. The school was known as the Boston Cooking School.
• It was at this school that a student by the name of Fannie Farmer first came on the cooking scene. Farmer is known for having revolutionized the culinary world in many different ways, but probably the most important thing she did was to make others who are interested in the culinary field understand the importance of following a recipe and measuring accurately.
• In 1929, the American Culinary Federation was founded after others came to the realization that knowledge of the food industry was important.

Cooking Shows and Culinary Arts Today

While knowing some interesting facts about culinary arts from days past is useful, you might also be interested in learning more about culinary arts in more modern times:

• One of the elements of the culinary arts field that makes others interested in it is the cooking shows which are popular today.
• The first cooking show aired in 1946. The television show was hosted by a man named James Beard.
• In 1946, the first formal institution to study in the culinary industry was made available to the people. This higher education learning facility was named the Culinary Institute of America.
• Even though there was a degree of popularity in the culinary field during this time, it was not until twenty years later that the popularity of and interest in this field would grow greatly.
• This was thanks to a chef named Julia Child and her television cooking show "French Chef."
• Although Julia is no longer on the cooking scene today, her works, recipes, and other things have become industry standards that are adhered to still today.