Which Culinary Style Most Interests You

Posted: February 24, 2010

Satisfy your cuisine taste buds. Specialize and develop your skills in your favorite cuisine.

Food varies by region and culture. As a culinary arts student you can specialize your skills in your favorite cuisine. Cuisine refers to a traditional cooking method, ingredients, and practices. Here are the main cuisines taught at most culinary schools.

French

French cuisine has become the standard for culinary arts. There is classical, Haute, and Garde Manger cuisine. Courses will cover the French history and food movement. France experienced economic hardship and war that altered the way people ate and cooked. The French cooking process has evolved over the years.

Ingredients and food vary depending on the region. In classical French cuisine, dishes are often rich and filling. Heavy cream and butter-based sauces are used. In the Provence region, olive oil and fresh herbs like rosemary, fennel, thyme, and bay leaf are common. Cooking methods are usually very strict and precise.

Nouvelle cuisine was developed in the 1970s as a simpler and lighter alternative to classical French dishes. The cooking philosophy emphasizes healthy alternatives. More seasonal ingredients are used and cooking takes far less time. Vegetables are often undercooked and sauces are fruit based. This cuisine features reduction sauces and elaborate architectural food presentations.

Italian

Italian cuisine varies greatly. You will learn about Italian chesses, sauces, pasta, pizza, fish/meats, and traditional desserts like gelato. Italian food is quick and simple to cook. Meals generally contain 3 to 4 courses.

The meal begins with the antipasto or appetizers, then the primo/first course often pasta, then the secondo/second course usually meat, then the contorno/side dish which is generally salad, finally cheese and fruits are served and sometimes sweet cakes or cookies.

Similar to France, northern Italy uses more cream based sauces while the south uses more olive oil. Pasta is cooked frequently in almost all regions. The northern regions cook more soft egg noodles and the south cooks more hard-boiled spaghetti. In addition to learning about pasta, you will learn about wine. You will learn how to taste and pare wine with meals. Italy produces the most wine in the world. It is both the largest exporter and consumer.

Asian

Asian cuisine encompasses many cultures, climates, and customs. Asia produces most of the world’s rice. Almost every area has its own noodle or rice dish.

The northeast region comprising of China, Japan and Korea use more fats, oils, and sauces. Japanese and Korean cuisine enjoys sticky short grain rice. China prefers long grain rice.

The southwest and southeast cuisine is lighter and more aromatic. Countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Burma use more herbs, nuts, and fruits. They are known for eating mutton, kebabs, and flat bread called Nan. Food preparation is simple and cooking is quick.

Sauces called curries are frequent in all regions. Northern curries are based with yogurt. Southern curries are based generally on coconut milk. Asian cuisine classes will teach you how to prepare these sauces, and how to cook with traditional tools, like woks.

Fusion

Fusion cuisine combines the ingredients and techniques from different cultures. Sometimes it only combines food from various regions within a country into one cuisine. This food usually has some kind of Asian influence.

Fusion restaurants can be found around the world. This cuisine style has become increasingly popular in Hollywood from the chef Wolfgang Puck. Due to the diverse cultural influence in Australia, fusion restaurants are the norm. Sydney is recognized as having the best Asian-fusion restaurants.

Fusion restaurants can be found around the world. This cuisine style has become increasingly popular in Hollywood from the chef Wolfgang Puck. Due to the diverse cultural influence in Australia, fusion restaurants are the norm. Sydney is recognized as having the best Asian-fusion restaurants.

Cultures from around the world are influencing the way we cook and eat. Whatever your culinary taste, there are courses available to help you develop your skills. You can create great tasting dishes to satisfy any appetite.