If you’re serious about a career in the culinary industry, it’s important to keep up with the trends. Food and beverage fads appear and disappear in the blink of an eye, and new recipes often become the gold standard before fizzling out. Culinary blogs are a great way to get a taste of what’s happening in the world outside of your classroom. Check out these 10 well-respected culinary blogs to learn about the latest trends, get inspiration for your next dish, and meet some of the hottest young chefs.
Food & Wine helped kick off the modern foodie movement, and while it might be a bit dated by some diners, its coverage of worldwide regional cuisines, star chefs, and reliable recipes still rings true today. Plus, you can always count on its annual guide to the country’s best restaurants.
Michelin’s famous stars can be a big deal, and the guide also serves as an indicator of a restaurant’s quality in a general sense. However, the system is somewhat arbitrary and, if it’s not carefully monitored, can be prone to abuse. This year’s guide, for example, showed no signs of taking reports of harassment or other abuse into account when awarding or withholding stars. In fact, Mario Batali’s restaurants (Babbo, Casa Mono, and Del Posto) all kept their stars despite a host of accusations.
A new award is recasting how the culinary world celebrates food professionals, and it’s a refreshing change. The 50 Next list is less focused on rankings and more on celebrating chefs, entrepreneurs, farmers, and other food leaders. Plus, it doesn’t pit nominees against each other. In an era when the MeToo movement has made it impossible to ignore any form of mistreatment, this is a welcome sign that more comprehensive change may be on its way.
The annual James Beard Awards are a big deal in the culinary world, and their prestigious winners tend to sway consumer decisions. Last year, the first awards ceremony held since the rise of the #MeToo movement, saw a noticeable shift away from white male dominance in most national categories. Women and people of color won 11 out of 16 awards—a whiplash display of progress, but one that should be expected.
If you’re on the fence about going to culinary school, this article dives into many of the pros and cons. Considering the time commitment and financial investment, it’s essential to make sure this is the right path for you. You’ll also get a better idea of what kind of culinary education you should look for when choosing a program. The best schools provide an in-depth experience in everything from cooking to management and hospitality. Some of the top culinary schools are located right in the heart of the city, enabling students to work and study in the same place. Others are located further out, giving students a broader and more diversified educational experience. Whichever option you choose, these top culinary schools can help you reach your dream of becoming a professional chef.