Culinary Arts School

Who doesn't love food?
There is basically no other subject that connects individuals from all avenues of life more than food. Food is one thing that you can appreciate of another culture without even understanding the culture in question at all. Generally there are three sorts of food lovers -- eaters, cookers and real foodies (those who love to eat, really like to cook, and love to think, talk and read about eating and cooking). If you are on the team who enjoys cooking great food and then sharing it with others, then maybe a career in the culinary profession is for you. In that case you will probably want to get going down the right path by enrolling in one of the excellent culinary schools that are available to help you on your way.

Cooking is the Delicious Science
While many people are pretty sound cooks and some are even terrific cooks, the truth is that not many people have the expertise needed to be outstanding in a professional cooking career without additional training. This is exactly where a course of study at a culinary arts school can be of great help. Even if you already know how to cook pretty darn well, you can always improve. A series of classes will further prepare you to work in a commercial kitchen because cooking for yourself in a home kitchen is very different from cooking in a commercial environment for customers who pay you to perform at your best.

Not only will you master the essentials, but you will also find yourself subjected to a whole world of culinary pleasures that you may not have even known existed. Even the best natural cooks have a limited amount of understanding of the food universe outside of their own area. Culinary schools allow you to break out of your comfort zone as a chef and take chances that you may normally not take in the kitchen, perhaps with good results.

From Boiling Water to Baked Alaska and Even Further


From a "water burner" to individuals who have been touched by culinary greatness, there is a place in cooking academies for every level of expertise. Culinary arts schools are places where the standard skills may be mastered, but also a place where the more sophisticated techniques and tips can be learned from those who are professional in their chosen field.

For those who don't need the foundational skills, a school has the potential to open doors for you in terms of learning trade secrets of top culinary chefs, exposing you to brand new cultures, ideas and ingredients that take menus from great to spectacular, and giving you the opportunity to network and connect with those in the industry that you should know, even if you don't realize it now.

The Fundamentals Will Be Just Your Appetizer

Beyond the common programs offered at culinary arts training classes are much more sophisticated courses. Often these are recommendation based or even one-on-one programs made available to particularly talented students. Many times a school may have programs which allows them to cooperate with other advanced schools to enable students to move directly to a position in their programs without having to qualify for and wait for a position.

Sophisticated learning programs can train you specific skills in a wide variety of areas. You could learn the particulars of a particular type of cultural cuisine, come to be an expert in a certain cooking style or genre, or work your way up to being a master chef in a food field of your picking such as cakes or seafood.
If you're crazy about food and would like to have a rewarding, enjoyable, fulfilling career, then a culinary arts degree may be the perfect menu choice. Culinary schools are easier to get accepted to, more cost friendly and more widely offered than ever before. So what are you waiting for? Place an order for the perfect career, serve yourself up the opportunity to earn a culinary arts degree and get cooking!

Judy Ford loves to cook up a flaming mess in her own kitchen and would like nothing more than to attend one of the better culinary schools. Find further information on top educational institutions and even more cooking school reviews.

How to Become a Food Critic

There is only one job that will marry your love for fine cuisine with your impressive written communication skills and cutting wit. Food critics live in the eye of the culinary storm and serve as the voice for the foodie community. Here are some steps you can take to get your foot in the door of this exciting field.
Culinary classes
While you don't have to know exactly how food is prepared in order to judge its taste, the lingo of fine cuisine is essential to all food critics. If you don't know important food terms, your writing will look amateur and uninformed. Also, having some technical knowledge will allow you to give constructive criticism to the restaurant owner so they don't repeat their mistakes.
Experience
Building a portfolio of quality clips is a huge priority for aspiring food critics. You will most likely have to write for free until you prove your skills and knowledge. Contact foodie Websites and local newspapers to see if they have need for more food writers.
Industry knowledge
Gaining knowledge about the culinary business could also help your writing and could help you branch out into other types of writing, like news coverage on local businesses. Some culinary school classes specialize in the business side of the industry. You can also talk to local restaurateurs to gain inside perspective.
Eating adventurously
Picky eaters do not make great food critics. The best food critics are willing to try anything. When you go out to your favorite restaurants, start branching out by ordering menu items you haven't tried before. This will help broaden your pallet.
Looking for jobs
Once you have enough experience and knowledge, look for paid positions with local print and Web publications. A lot of the job opportunities you will encounter will be freelance. However, if you can collect enough assignments, it is possible to make a decent living through freelance writing. It will also give you even more experience until a full-time position comes along.
Learn more about Culinary School here.

My Passions include home improvement, education and food. If you enjoy my writing please check out Culinary School.

Information on Relocating to Alabama

If you are planning a move to Alabama, congratulations! There's so much to enjoy and discover in the "Heart of Dixie". From aerospace to agriculture, Longleaf pine forests to inland waterways, azaleas to Stargazer lilies, the charm of Alabama's residents and their southern hospitality is what truly makes Alabama special. Steeped in Native American, Colonial, and Civil War history, today's Alabama is the epitome of the New South.
Recreation-Regardless of which sport or outdoor activity you have in mind, it can likely be found somewhere in Alabama. The white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast have been attracting tourists for decades, while the state's extensive system of waterways is a great place for boating and fishing. Mountain biking, hiking, camping and rock climbing are quite popular in central Alabama, the Cumberland Plateau area, and the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. With an average temperature of 64 degrees, you can explore the outdoors year round!

The Arts-Alabama has an impressive network of art museums and many of them feature folk art which is unique to the area. Throughout the state, creativity abounds through dance performances, visual art, live theatre, and music festivals. The state has been nationally recognized for its program, Poetry Out Loud in Alabama and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Attractions-There is truly something for everyone in the state of Alabama. History buffs will delight in the amazing number of historical sites, including the Tuskegee Institute, Horseshoe Bend, and Russell Cave. Don't forget the quaint antebellum house tours in Mobile and Birmingham! There are zoos, water parks, amusement parks, beaches, golf resorts and botanical gardens. NASCAR enthusiasts will not want to miss the Talladega Superspeedway.

Economy-Since the 1960s, Alabama has made a conscious effort to make a departure from an economy dependent on agriculture. The effort has paid off and today; Alabama's economy is rooted in manufacturing, tourism, education, technology, and the military. Giants such as Mercedes-Benz, Boeing, 3M, Honeywell, and Bristol-Meyers Squibb have headquarters deep in the "Heart of Dixie".

Education-Alabama residents have worked hard to improve public education and it has been a great success. The state's SAT scores have been above the national average for the last 10 years and continue to climb. Alabama is also home to over 25 technical and community colleges, as well as an impressive number of 4-year universities, including Auburn and the 3 campuses of the University of Alabama.
Now that you have had a cook's tour of Alabama, you'll want to start a "to do" list for your relocation. Here are some helpful tips and suggestions for you to consider:

Update Your Address-The easiest way to handle this is to fill out a "Change of Address" card at your local post office. You will be able to notify the postmaster of your departure date, so your mail can be immediately forwarded to your new address. In addition, you will want to notify friends, family, neighbors, employers, children's schools, physicians, and anyone you conduct business with on a regular basis. You may provide them with your new information by email, or have personal change of address cards printed. It is especially important to provide this information to your bank, insurance company, mortgage provider, and the IRS, particularly if you are selling a home as part of your Maine relocation, you will want your year end tax information.

Register Your School Aged Children For School and Connect with Other Parents-Visit the Alabama School District Directory for information on the school system in your new area, and details on how to register school students. The website, greatschools.org is a great resource for comparing test scores, parent reviews, and national rankings. Volunteering at your child's school and becoming involved with the PTO is a great way to meet other families.

Register to Vote-Visit the Alabama Board of Elections for information on how and where to register to vote in your new district for local, state, and federal elections.

Drivers License and Car Registration-To get all the facts on the procedures for taking care of everything that relates to your vehicles and your new Alabama drivers license, contact the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles.
Make Important Contacts-To find a new family doctor, dentist, attorney, mechanic, babysitter, and so on, you can seek suggestions from your real estate agent, neighbors, or the local Chamber of Commerce. You may also want to double-check any recommendations by using Google and Angie's List to read reviews of local businesses and service providers.

Explore and Have Fun! -After you settle in, take time to explore your new town. Check out the local municipal website for a wealth of information, from everything to bike paths to recycling. To learn about local attractions and historic sites, visit the local tourism office or Convention and Visitors Bureau. Your new town may even have a Newcomers Club!

If you want to make new friends and get connected, consider volunteering for a cause you are passionate about. VolunteerMatch.org can help get you started. The local library can help you find a book club, and the parks office will likely have information on recreational sports leagues. Community colleges typically have a long list of fun enrichment classes such as Art, foreign languages, cooking, and carpentry, and are a great way to meet new people. If you have school age children, parent volunteers are usually welcome and finding a church is another excellent way to meet people and get involved.

Here's to Sweet Home Alabama, all it has to offer, and a stress free move!

Lisa Andree is a marketing professional who helps mortgage companies promote their brands and products such as Alabama mortgage rates and 5 year arm loans online.