Some Culinary Arts Careers Sparked By Culinary Shows

Culinary arts careers have been pursued by generations of people wanting to cook for living. In the past, however, most people who wanted to become chefs did so because they grew up familiar with gourmet cooking and fine dining. The thought of a career in the culinary arts wasn't one that caught the interest of many middle-class Americans.

In the last ten years, however, gourmet dining and cooking has gone mainstream. One reason is the greater availability of cookbooks and cooking utensils geared toward "gourmet cooking," which has sparked a great interest in cooking schools in recent years. A greater influence, however, has been the rash of gourmet cooking shows that have flourished on television networks such as the Food Network and other cable networks.

Television and Culinary Arts Careers

Many people grew up watching traditional cooking shows such as Julia Child or the Galloping Gourmet, Graham Kerr. These shows were strictly utilitarian, with a chef instructing viewers on specific recipes and had an audience made up primarily of gourmet food fans. In the last several years, food programming has turned up the heat by adding elements that broaden its appeal.

Shows like Iron Chef America, Hell's Kitchen and Dinner: Impossible feature difficult culinary challenges and high-stakes competition as well as fine cuisine. Some viewers begin watching to enjoy the fierce competition, the personality clashes and the inevitable drama and end up developing a real interest in the foods being prepared.

Educational shows like Good Eats with Alton Brown make food interesting by educating viewers about food history, the scientific basis of cooking and various cooking cultures. More than one culinary arts career has been sparked when someone has discovered that cooking goes far beyond simply making food taste good. It's also about applying both science and art to food and understanding cultural tastes. Shows like BBQ with Bobby Flay and Simply Delicioso illustrate that gourmet cooking isn't just about cream sauces and rare vegetables you can't pronounce; it can be about elevating home cooking and back-yard favorites to the next level.

The Personalities of Cooking Shows

The many food programs on television today have opened up the door to culinary careers in another way as well. They have shown that people from all backgrounds and walks of life can pursue culinary arts careers successfully. One of the most popular shows, America's Next Top Chef, features competitions between cooks from around the country. Although many have had some type of training, others are self-taught chefs who have become successful in restaurants or catering businesses.

There are tough guys, moms, self-made business owners and classically trained cooks on a level playing field in competition. The program is inspiring more people each year to explore a culinary arts career, something many wouldn't have considered otherwise.

It is apparent that the popularity of food-focused programs won't wane any time soon. Fortunately, the increased interest in culinary arts careers is a bonus that we can all enjoy, since more people from diverse backgrounds can only add spice to the foods we dine on.

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The Culinary Institute of Virginia College offers an outstanding culinary arts career program. For information on culinary arts careers, visit www.culinard.com/culinary-arts-careers/culinary-arts-careers.cfm

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