In the culinary world, learning the “how” and its many variations is a critical part of students’ education. One way to teach curiosity is to capitalize on the five “W”s.

By Dr. Fred Mayo, CHE, CHT

Last month, we discussed the habit of curiosity and ways that it can change how students pursue their education and develop as professionals. This month and next, we will review a range of strategies for encouraging curiosity with various teaching strategies and learning activities.

Basic Standards
One part of our challenge in educating and training students in culinary and hospitality programs comes from teaching them basic information while getting them to think about what they are learning and challenge it in a way that builds their long-term creativity. Our challenge as teachers involves helping them learn and practice being curious while accepting and learning from standard and useful ways of preparing and serving food.

For starters, temperature and heat are not the same thing. When is convection mechanical, and when is it natural? And is food cooked by radiation harmful? Chef Weiner explains why all culinary students should understand the basic science behind critical processes in the kitchen.

By Adam Weiner, CFSE

Last month I raised the debate about teaching cooking science to students. My personal opinion is that there are a few science principles students need to know:

1. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn. I realize that this is not technically cooking science. However, more and more pressure is being foisted upon the foodservice industry to help solve the obesity crisis. Students must be taught that sooner or later, they, their families and the customers of where they work must pay the piper when it comes to calories—and that this is a matter of personal responsibility.

Change is challenging, but necessary for growth. When striving to be the instrument of positive change, a successful, simple way to intercept every reason given for resistance is to utter the single word, “Why?”

By Paul Sorgule, MS, AAC

Understanding that students learn differently today, the industry we serve requires evolving skill sets, and the impact of technology provides interesting alternatives to our established methods of delivery places educators in a position to think change.

Change is a concept that draws a good deal of conversation and a multitude of “how to” theories. When I checked in with amazon.com, there were more than 17,000 titles listed regarding the concept of change management. Everyone talks about change, yet the reality is that no one truly embraces the concept.

Beef University boosts beef knowledge of educators and students.

Last month, the Beef Checkoff Program unveiled a new web-based platform for its popular training program, Beef University. For nearly a decade, foodservice professionals have relied on checkoff training tools to educate staff on how beef is brought to market, from farm to fork.

Beef University educates on all facets of beef—from production and product quality to marketing and merchandising. Downloadable tools include PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets and videos, all of which can be used for customized training in the classroom. 

Incorporating sustainability and social-responsibility elements into an operator’s business is no longer a “nice to have,” according to Technomic, as Americans increasingly demand that foodservice become more responsible and transparent.

Sustainability and social responsibility are taking on greater importance within the foodservice industry, according to a landmark study recently completed by Chicago-based Technomic. The research included input from foodservice consumers, operators and suppliers to better understand the current state and future expectations for these key issues.

In June 2008, Technomic conducted a landmark study on the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in foodservice, examining consumer, operator and distributor concerns and priorities relating to the three Ps of corporate social responsibility: people, planet and product. It also identified “best in class” companies and recommended initiatives to formalize a comprehensive CSR strategy.

Below are some delicious small plate recipes featuring almonds as an essential ingredient. Click on a recipe below to watch a video demonstration by a chef from The Culinary Institute of America.

• Andalucían Cold Almond Soup (Ajo Blanco)
• Fromage Blanc with Toasted Almonds, and Popped Aromatic Spices and Fresh Mint Chutney
• Spicy Merguez Sausage Meatballs with Toasted Almonds and Pomegranate Syrup, Served with Almond Tabouleh
• Malaysian Barbecued Almond Chicken
• Pan-Roasted Salmon with Aromatic Green Pipán
• Trio of Dips: Smoked Trout and Almond Dip
• Roasted Honey-Orange Almonds with Aged Cheddar
• Green Bean Salad with Almonds and Goat Cheese
• Chocolate Baklava with Almonds and Figs
• Almond Frangipane Pound Cake with Apricots

Roth® Grand Cru®, a classic alpine-style cheese crafted in Wisconsin, is a perfect partner for pasta. It has a rich, robust flavor and incorporates beautifully into a wide variety of hot applications, especially sauces and mac ‘n’ cheese! Show us how you can make Roth Grand Cru stand out in a creative pasta application (mac ‘n’ cheese, pasta sauce, ravioli/tortellini, casserole, etc.) for a chance to win $2,000 plus one pass/registration and two nights’ lodging to the 2014 National Restaurant Show in Chicago.

DEADLINE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS FEB. 28, 2014

• Recipes must be submitted in preferred format. (See sample)

• Entries must include at least one (1) high-resolution digital photograph of finished dish

• Contest entrants must be currently enrolled in a postsecondary culinary school/program in the 50 United States

• You must include name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, name of culinary school and name of referring culinary instructor with entry

• Contest entries become property of Emmi Roth USA and may be used in marketing/public-relations activities.

• Entries must be the original work of the entrant, may not have won previous awards, may not have been published previously, and must not infringe third-party intellectual property or other rights.

• Entries must be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.with Roth Grand Cru in subject line.

PRIZES

• Grand Prize Winner receives $2,000 and one pass/registration plus two nights’ lodging in Chicago for the 2014 National Restaurant Association Show. (Note: Winner responsible for own travel expenses to/from Chicago; two nights’ lodging in Chicago must be between May 16 and 20, 2014, during National Restaurant Association Show; winner’s recipe may be featured at Emmi Roth USA’s trade show booth)

• Runner-up receives a Roth Cheese Gift Box valued at $150.00

• Referring instructor of the first- and second-place winners shall receive one (1) FREE registration to a 2014 CAFÉ conference or workshop

• Winning student(s) may be featured in a press release and/or Emmi Roth USA social media

HOW DO YOU WIN

Eligible recipe entries will be evaluated by a panel of Emmi Roth USA judges on creativity, novelty and/or uniqueness of application and flavor quality. Winners will be notified on or before March 21, 2014, via telephone and certified mail.

BONUS

Up to 50 free samples will be provided to first 50 instructor respondents to contest posting. Sample will include up to 12 ounces of Roth Grand Cru Original (two 6-ounce exact-weight cuts). Interested instructors should write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.with name, title, school/institution, shipping address (no P.O. boxes), telephone number and email address. Samples will be shipped via UPS from Monroe, Wis. Please allow approximately two weeks for delivery of samples from response date. Samples only available for shipment in the 48 contiguous United States of America.

Andre Burnier, chef instructor and senior core faculty member at New England Culinary Institute, has been chosen to join a select company of his peers in Las Vegas, Nev., this spring. 

Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, established in 1951 as l’Association des Maîtres-Queux, nominate chefs they have observed exhibiting the knowledge, skill and attitude worthy of consideration for induction into one of the world’s most prestigious culinary associations, whose mission is to preserve and spread the French culinary arts, encourage training in cuisine and assist professional development.

For the first time, the General Assembly of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France will be held in the United States, March 5-9, 2014. In addition, new members will be added to the Master Chef list with an induction ceremony. The l’Academie Culinaire de France will also host a special dinner to elect the woman of the year and reward one of its members with the Fauteuil de l’Academie for lifetime achievement.

With Burnier’s induction, New England Culinary Institute is the only culinary school in the United States with four Maîtres de Cuisine de France on staff. Burnier joins:

• Fran Voigt, founder, New England Culinary Institute; Maître Cuisinier de France Emeritus

• Michel Leborgne, founding chef, New England Culinary Institute; Maître Cuisinier de France

• Jean Louis Gerin, executive chef and vice president of culinary affairs; Maître Cuisinier de France

New England Culinary Institute, founded in 1980, is widely recognized for its innovative immersion style of education featuring small classes, hands-on learning and personal attention.  Its graduates are sought after the world over for their level of skill and preparation. For more information on New England Culinary Institute or its multi-award-winning restaurants, visit www.neci.edu or www.necidining.com.

Dr. Tim Ryan, CMC, president of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), has been chosen as one of the 50 most powerful people in the restaurant industry. The newly released Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) Power List recognizes the people who are leading and shaping the food world.

Ryan was honored in the category of “The Connectors: People who are bringing together ideas, talent, and funding in the restaurant industry.”

The profile of Ryan cites the curriculum innovation that has taken place at the college during his 12 years as president, as well as the creation of professional leadership conferences and the opening of two new campuses. “Ryan, not content to rest on the school’s reputation, has taken steps to keep the 67-year-old institution current,” writes NRN's Ed Rubenstein. “Even as the rise of the celebrity chef introduced new exposure and scrutiny to culinary schools, Ryan helped to solidify the CIA’s image as a proving ground for future foodservice leaders.”

“Recognition by such an outstanding publication as Nation’s Restaurant News testifies to the CIA’s many contributions to the advancement of the industry,” Ryan said. “The excellence of our college’s educational programs and industry conferences promote leadership and growth. We are proud of our continuing innovations, including new majors and concentrations that will further prepare CIA students to shape the future of cooking and the foodservice industry.”

Ryan is a 1977 graduate of the CIA. He has the unique background of being a Certified Master Chef and Culinary Olympic champion with an Ivy League degree, earning his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been with the CIA since 1982, when he was recruited to serve on the faculty and to develop and run the college’s ground-breaking American Bounty Restaurant. He became the CIA’s fifth president in 2001.

Also named to the NRN list are fellow CIA graduates Steve Ells (’90) of Chipotle Mexican Grill and food-truck pioneer Roy Choi (’98).

No other ingredient comes close to mashed potatoes in terms of versatility, ease of use and sheer crowd-pleasing potential. The U.S. Potato Board’s international team has developed a 14-page, full-color brochure—U.S. Mashed Potatoes, Endless Creativity, Instant Success—which shows the amazing variety of menu items that chefs from around the globe are making with standard potato flakes, standard potato granules and mashed-potato mixes.

From mashed-potato salads and sandwich fillings to main dishes such as lasagna, made with layered mashed potatoes, U.S. instant mashed potatoes are an ideal and economical platform for foodservice success. Once you see the innovative ideas from international markets, you’ll never look at a pan of mashed potatoes the same way again.

To download your free copy, visit http://www.potatogoodness.com/my-potatoes/professional-chefs/resources.