Cooking is the act of preparing food. The term cooking encompasses all methods of food preparation including non-heated methods. It encompasses a vast range of methods, tools and combinations of ingredients to alter the flavour or digestibility of food. It is the process of selecting, measuring and combining of ingredients in an ordered procedure in an effort to achieve the desired result. Factors affecting the final outcome include the variability of ingredients, ambient conditions, tools, and the skill of the individual doing the actual cooking. The diversity of cooking worldwide is a reflection of the myriad nutritional, aesthetic, agricultural, economic,…
Author: Kunal Gaur
Thickening agents give body, consistency, taste and nutrition when used in foods. Flavored liquids are thickened and converted into soups, sauces, gravies, and curries etc. Thickening agents are used to transform the stocks into sauces. There are various types of thickening agents used in kitchens today: Starches Flour Roux Beurre Manie Fruit and Vegetable Pureé Egg yolk Cream Butter Blood Different kinds of Thickening Agents in Cooking Starches Starchy roots and vegetables and cereals like rice are the oldest thickeners for sauces. They are efficient, inexpensive and can be used without imparting flavor of their own. Starches should be combined…
The tourism business is made up of those actions and duties which are provided to vacationers who travel for enjoyment, work or other reasons. It consists of different establishments like hotels, restaurants, travel agents, tour operators and amusement places that work hand in hand to create unforgettable moments for tourists. The economic sector makes money, produces jobs and promotes cultural interaction. Dynamic and competitive is the field since a destination’s attractiveness, infrastructure and quality of service can determine success in this sector. Define Tourism? Touring refers to the action of moving from one place to another outside one’s normal surroundings for…
The United States of America has a great importance for travel and tourism industry because of its diversity. It is a leading player in the country’s economic growth, job creation and revenue generation in many sectors. Equally important is its role as an opportunity for cultural exchanges to be done that foster better understanding and appreciation among diverse individuals. Moreover, the sector has been instrumental in the development of infrastructure as it continuously improves on transport networks and amenities. Besides, attracting visitors and facilitating business interactions, the sector also plays a key role in enhancing trade flows, investment prospects and…
In a restaurant or eatery a menu refers to an assortment of various kinds of things like food and drinks for sale which have been purposefully selected. In most cases, these dishes are explained in the menus with their ingredients, how they were made among other things including their prices. A menu is more than just the options it has; this is a critical tool for displaying what a restaurant stands for in terms of its cooking style. Some menus are designed to be followed as diners go through the meal from starters to main courses to desserts. They may…
A great waiter in a hotel environment is a combination of professionalism, attentiveness with excellent interpersonal abilities. It is the ability to pay attention to detail that ensures every aspect of the dining experience takes on a superior standard. They always have a polite and friendly demeanor; this creates an atmosphere that is friendly and therefore good for the customers. They are efficient and organized enough to deal with numerous tables such that they serve timely without compromising quality. Strong communication skills ensure accurate order taking, handling special requests and explaining menu details confidently. Moreover, good waiters know what ingredients…
Head chef, the Executive Chef are involved in budgeting, taking stock inventories, supplier negotiation among other things that ensure smooth running of the kitchen. The Executive Chef combines culinary skills with strong organization and leadership qualities to give an unforgettable dining experience. What are Attributes Required by Executive Chef? There must be a compelling admixture of the haute cuisine expertise and strong supervision abilities in an executive chef. A lot of creativity is expected from them to fashion out innovatively exciting menus which can at all times keep customers interested. For every dish, there should be no compromise even if…
Often, people think that the Front Office in a hotel is like a heart which conceivably works as a representation of the whole place and typically interacts with clients. The group is made up of various job descriptions including receptionists, concierge, and guest service agents who are instrumental towards ensuring guests are well catered for from registration to check-out. Receptionists are involved in receiving visitors, managing reservations as well as speeding check in procedures. Concierges help with many things such as finding transport means for their clients, securing reservations on different sites and recommending best places to eat and drink…
In any hotel, the principal role of the Front Office Department is to act as a guest’s first contact point, maintain and administer customer reservations, facilitate their check in and out as well as offer assistance throughout their stay. This includes job positions like receptionists, concierges, and guest service agents who come together to make sure that guests have an uninterrupted and pleasurable experience. The Front Office department plays a pivotal role in establishing a favorable perception of the establishment for potential customers in addition to augmenting overall guest satisfaction through activities such as answering queries or special requests from…
Cooking is the craft and science of food preparation that encompasses a variety of techniques and methods. Cookery can also be seen as mandatory routine for everybody and at the same time a method of artistic expression reflecting cultural heritage and likes. This emphasizes the role that food plays in health promotion by highlighting the significance of fresh, natural products and balanced dieting. Irrespective if it’s done on a stove at home or in a professional environment cookery can unite people thereby creating memorable social experiences based on shared meals. What is the Importance of Cookery? Cooking plays a big…
Cooking time is the period of cooking from beginning to end. It includes all stages involved in the cooking process such as preheating, active cooking and resting or cooling periods if required. To cook food well and make it safe to eat, it must be correctly timed so that it cooks through properly. Furthermore, it can also help determine how food will taste and what its texture will be like. There are several aspects that affect the amount of time taken when one is preparing a meal; for example, what ingredients are used, how big or thick they are, the…
With their flavors and textures blended together, Sauces add up and enhance the taste of food. They can be quite simple mixtures of herbs and oils or more intricate reductions demanding precise attention as well as great skill. These sauces can be used for dipping, drizzling or even to base a meal thereby making it rich and improve the overall eating experience. From classics like marinara sauce and hollandaise to new recipes such as mango salsa or balsamic vinegar glaze, sauces denote genuine creativity of all chefs globally. The variations are innumerable hence one is able to experiment with different…
Soup is an exceptional dish, being loved for its warmth that comforts and various flavors. This adaptability in terms of taste makes it a versatile meal having three major classifications namely; clear soups, thick soups, and specialty soups. Translucent broth defines clear soups which are frequently filled with meat, herbs or vegetables hence making it light but tasty. However, thick soups are characterized by their dense texture thus one adds cream, pureed vegetables or starch to achieve the same. For instance potato leek soup and creamy tomato bisque have a velvety consistency unlike many other dishes. Interestingly enough specialty soups…
Soup is a hot fluid food prepared by boiling such things as vegetables, meat or fish in water or stock. It can be either thick and filling or clear and light, often served as an appetizer or main course. Soup is easy to make hence it is loved for its comforting flavor and the way it can warm you on a cold day. Because soup recipes differ greatly from one culture to another, it has become a widespread popular dish. Soup is an adaptable mixture of things like vegetables, meats, or fishes that are in liquid state e.g. broth, milk,…
In a kitchen, how tasks are assigned and responsibilities are shared among workers is referred as hierarchy. At the highest level of management structure of the kitchen is typically occupied by executive chefs or head chefs who oversee all activities taking place in there as well as deciding on menus meal options and cooking methods used during preparation processes Below them are various levels such as sous chef, line cook or prep cook which have their own roles to play based on power bestowed upon them. This hierarchical structure guarantees effective work flow, proper channels of communication and quality control…
Food textures refer to how foods feel when they are eaten. They cover a range from crisp and crunchy to smooth and creamy, which come with different feelings. Crispy foods give a good crunch that mostly comes along with fried or baked things like chips or crackers. On the other hand, smooth ones such as creamy desserts like mousse or custard have velvety texture in mouth. Other examples of these are chewy found in breads like in a heavy loaf of bread, where as tender is like properly cooked meat. By intertwining all of these textures together, culinary experience becomes…
The hospitality industry, especially in upscale eating establishments, heavily depends on a captain who is also known as the main waiter. In addition to just taking orders and delivering food, the captain coordinates everything that goes on during the whole dining experience right from when the customers get in through to their leaving with fully attended services. They are extremely attentive to details and have good communication skills which makes them oversee waiters’ staff with utmost care so as not to upset their guests but instead provide each of them with personalized attention and meet required levels of service delivery.…
The stewardess, a hotel waiter, is the main person responsible for a good dinner in the restaurant. They are more than just ordering and serving meals; they represent hospitality with all its features and should be experts in their professional field. A steward’s responsibilities include such things as introducing menus, suggesting certain dishes, taking orders properly and bringing food timely. They should have good communication skills to talk politely to visitors and respond quickly to any questions or special wishes of guests. Besides that, the devil is in the details: tables are set perfectly and restaurant itself is always invitingly…
When talking about hotels, meals are not something that you just eat, but rather they are a culinary journey that is excellently done to have an unforgettable taste. It doesn’t matter if it is in the morning breakfast buffet that smells like crunchy freshness or a candlelit dinner with intimacy; every meal consists of flavors and aromas making a symphony of textures. Visitors can take pleasure in indulging in local specialties or enjoying worldwide cuisine, because here all guests are invited to the table for more than mere food—it’s about life. Every dish is made with care and devotion employing…
In the world of Food and Beverage Department, Mise-En-Scene is the act of arranging and presenting food elements in an interesting way to create a captivating dining experience. It involves planning tables and lighting as well as choosing tableware and embellishments. Every little thing is thoughtfully accounted for in order to achieve a certain mood and bring out the best in each meal. Thus, through strategically placed ingredients, some plating techniques applied attentively and aesthetics considered, Mise-En-Scene transforms a simple meal into a sensory journey where everything contributes to client’s happiness. Importance of Mise-En-Scene in Food and Beverage Department of…
An executive housekeeper can also be known as a director of housekeeping is a position in senior management within the hospitality industry responsible for supervising all areas of the housekeeping department in hotels, resorts, cruise ships or any other lodging establishments. Managing the cleaning staff, ensuring that cleanliness and hygiene standards are observed throughout the premises, managing budgets and inventories, implementing cleaning procedures as well as ensuring customer satisfaction are some of their main duties. They may also coordinate with other departments such as maintenance or front office to arrange activities and respond to guest needs promptly. In general terms…
The most important role that the Housekeeping Department in a hotel plays is ensuring the tidiness, ease and entire feel of the place. This department has been entrusted with keeping guests’ rooms, public areas as well as back-of-house spaces spotlessly clean so that visitors can have a good and healthy stay. Staff members in housekeeping make beds, change linens, vacuum carpets, restock amenities and such other activities which maintain the reputation of the hotel for cleanliness and attention to detail. Such fastidiousness not only increases guest satisfaction but also affects general guest experience which in turn leads to repeat business…
Bell Desk is important in hotels as it is part of the Front Office Department and its goal is to provide guests with a variety of services that will make their stay enjoyable. This department typically performs functions like welcoming arriving guest, helping them with their luggage, giving details about the hotel and surrounding areas, organizing for transport and facilitating check-in and check-out process. The Bell Desk staff are usually the first people who interact with guests, hence they have to be good natured and helpful so that the first impression can be positive. Thus, they learn how to identify…
The Bell Desk is a central hub within a hotel for guest luggage and transportation services. This desk, usually in the lobby, has bellhops or bellmen as employees who aid guests with different activities to make their stay even better. These responsibilities range from taking care of the baggage on arrival and departure, delivering things to guest rooms, organizing transport means, and giving details about the hotel’s facilities as well as attractions in that locality. The Bell Desk makes guests’ experience smooth and friendly, showing how the hotel values superior quality service and comfort. This important role also plays an…
A Front Office Manager is a very important person in the hospitality and service industries: they oversee everything that happens at the front desk, reception and guest service offices. The Front Office Manager is what guests see first when they come to a hotel thus should guarantee smooth check-in/check-out operations, control bookings and respond to customer inquiries promptly and politely. Moreover, he or she assists in maintaining good communication flow within the organization by working hand in hand with other departments. To keep a high level of customer service and reputation of an establishment a Front Office Manager must have…