| Few states have such a strong culinary tradition as | | | | can find exquisite southern flavors being served in the |
| Alabama culinary arts. In large part, this is a result of | | | | country's finest restaurants. Nothing says "comfort" like |
| Southerners' love of good food and the tradition of | | | | southern dishes such as pecan pie and sweet |
| handing down recipes from parent to child. With a long | | | | potatoes. Alabama culinary arts today go far beyond |
| tradition of rich southern foods and spectacular | | | | traditional southern cooking by adding unique twists on |
| regional recipes, Alabama's food heritage is well | | | | these old favorites. Exotic ingredients and new |
| known. It isn't surprising that it has given rise to | | | | methods of preparation elevate home cooking to art. If |
| renowned regional specialists such as Frank Stitt, | | | | you love southern cuisine and would like to market |
| owner of the Bottega, Chez Fonfon and the Highlands | | | | yourself as a regional chef, consider attending one of |
| Bar and Grill, and renowned Chef George Panayiotou. | | | | the fine culinary schools in the south and enrolling in a |
| For Alabama residents with a love of cooking in their | | | | complete Culinary Arts course. These programs give |
| hearts, there are many ways to pursue a career in | | | | you a complete education in preparing everything from |
| cooking. Because there are so many family owned | | | | main courses to pastries and salads. Today's culinary |
| restaurants that specialize in local cuisine and traditional | | | | schools also give more attention to regional cooking |
| recipes, some aspiring cooks apprentice themselves at | | | | styles, which will give you even more expertise in |
| well-known restaurants. Working their way up from | | | | southern cooking along with some new twists. There |
| waiting tables to food prep, they learn on the job and | | | | are several key features to look for in a good culinary |
| may become part of the cooking staff as they learn | | | | arts program, including: Certification and accreditation |
| cherished secret recipes. For the most versatile | | | | by a governing board Affiliation with a known and |
| education, however, those interested in Alabama | | | | respected chef's organization such as the American |
| culinary arts should invest in a well-rounded education | | | | Culinary Federation Staff that includes nutrition experts, |
| at a regional culinary school. By attending a culinary | | | | professional chefs and pastry experts A |
| institute, students can learn all of the many secrets of | | | | state-of-the-art kitchen Coursework that includes food |
| fine cuisine and put their own special regional stamp on | | | | sciences, hospitality services management, food and |
| them as well. This will make them more marketable | | | | nutrition studies and even pastry preparation Selected |
| and give them the opportunity to vary their approach | | | | classes that focus on a variety of regional and ethnic |
| and broaden their skills. There is a heightened interest | | | | cuisines Today there are many culinary arts schools in |
| in regional flavors and tradition southern cooking, due in | | | | the south that will give you an excellent, well-rounded |
| part to such southern cooking shows as Paula's Home | | | | education. Be sure to look at a number of culinary |
| Cooking, featuring southern cook Paula Deen. Today | | | | schools in your region and choose the one that is best |
| more and more people are interested in eating and | | | | for you and your dream of having an Alabama culinary |
| preparing foods with Alabama staple ingredients such | | | | arts career. |
| as sweet potatoes, peanuts, pecans, shrimp, | | | | The Culinary Institute of Virginia College offers an |
| watermelon, honey, grits and blackberries. Today you | | | | outstanding Alabama Culinary Arts program. |