Cooking is one of the most ancient human activities. Those who dedicate to it find not only a very viable means to earn a living, but also an activity that lets them be creative and express themselves through the combination of hundreds of ingredients that can be prepared in many ways. And of course, just like an actor lives for the applause of his audience, a chef lives for the delight of the people who enjoy eating his or her food.
Cooking isn’t only about flavor, although of course that’s the important part and what keeps a client from coming back again and again. Cooking also involves the presentation of a dish. A great presentation is sometimes what sells the dish. And of course, people are more likely to eat a dish that looks inviting and delicious, rather than one that looks all clustered together at the last moment. And if a good presentation comes accompanied by a great aroma, guests and clients will have a hard time waiting for the waiter to leave the plate on the table so that they can eat.
Combining food with forms is also a great way to make not only a dish, but a whole dinner more inviting. For example, fruit and vegetable carving is commonly used in important social events in order to decorate the tables or buffets. Sometimes fruit and vegetable carving are served in small dishes so that it can be eaten individually. However, more often than not, fruit and vegetable carving that is meant to be eaten is served as part of a buffet or as a dish in the middle of the table where every guest can take a piece.
Fruit and vegetable carving isn’t easy to do. It takes time and patience to learn. It also takes a sure hand, but then again, most chefs are already very skilled with their hands. There are a few culinary schools that offer fruit and vegetable carving classes, both as part of a bigger program, or independently. Taking fruit and vegetable carving classes can get a bit expensive, but they are worth the money for those who are hoping to enter into the culinary or catering businesses.
A cheaper alternative for those of you who don’t want to spend that much on learning how to do fruit and vegetable carving, is to get a book or a DVD from a specialized store. They aren’t as good as having a real teacher behind you, guiding you and correcting your mistakes, of course, but at least you will get to know how to make basic forms and you won’t be spending much.
Fruit and vegetable carving is a great addition to any chef or casual cook’s repertoire, but most of all, it is both fun and satisfying to see your guests or clients be amazed when looking at your creations.