Culinary History
Culinary History
Culinary History
CHEF CAREˆME
Marie-Antoine Careme (1784-1833). As a young man, Careme learned
all the branches of cooking quickly, and he dedicated his career to
refining and organizing culinary techniques. His many books contain
the first systematic account of cooking principles, recipes, and menu
making.
Chef Escoffier
Georges Auguste Escoffier (1847-1935), the greatest chef of his time,
is still today revered by chefs and gourmet industry as the father of
twentieth-century cookery.
His two main contributions were:
1) the simplification of classical cuisine and the classical menu, and
2) the reorganization of the kitchen.
Escoffier rejected what he called the “general confusion” of the old
menus, in which sheer quantity seemed to be the most important
factor. Instead, he called for order and diversity and emphasized the
careful selection of one or two dishes per course, dishes that followed
one another harmoniously and delighted the taste with their delicacy
and simplicity.
Escoffier’s books and recipes are still important reference works for
professional chefs. The basic cooking methods and preparations we
study today are based on Escoffier’s work. His book “le guide
cullinaire”, which is still widely used, arranges recipes in a simple
system based on main ingredient a cooking method, according to
Escoffier, begin with learning a relatively few basic procedures and
understand basic ingredients.
Escoffier’s second major achievement, the reorganization of the
kitchen, resulted in a streamlined workplace that was better suited to
turning out the simplified dishes and menus he instituted. The system
of organization he established is still in use today, especially in large
hotels and full-service restaurants.
Modern technology
Today’s kitchen looks much different from those of Escoffier’s day,
though our basic cooking principles are the same. Also, the dishes we
eat have gradually changed due to the innovations and creativity of
modern chefs. The process of simplification and refinement, to which
chef Careme and Escoffier made monumental contributions, is still
ongoing, adapting classical cooking to modern conditions and tastes.
availability of most foods and made affordable some that were once
rare and expensive.
CULINARY HISTORY
❖ Modern cuisine began in the middle of the 18th century.
❖ At that time it was controlled by the guilds used for licencing of
butchery, baker, pastry maker, or for specific items.
❖ In 1765, Paris citizen named Boulanger begun to advertise his shop
sign (which used to serve soup) named called restaurants or
restorative which stands for fortifying.
❖ According to the story the dish that he uses to serve was sheep
feet in cream sauce & guild got offended by this thing & challenged
him in court but Boulanger won the case by saying he didn’t cook the
feet in sauce but served sauce with feet.
❖ In challenge the Boulanger unwillingly changed the course of the
food history.
❖ Before French revolution in 1789, food industry in France saw so
many ups & downs & before this time great chefs were employed in
royal palaces or high French nobilities.
❖ With revolution it ended up and chefs were free from this
foundation due to these chefs were out of work & started opening
their restaurants.
❖ Revolutionist government abolished the monarchy of guilds, at the
start of revolution there were 50 restaurants in Paris, but ten year
later they grew up to 500.
❖ Stove was again invented at the end of 18th century and use of
fuel started.
Modern Technology
These days kitchen look more difficult as the days of Escoffier or chef
Careme, also the dishes have gradually changed due to the creativity
of modern chefs where as basic remain same and it is still going on.
Development of new equipments
• Electric range
• Infrared cooking
• Microwaves
• Thermal power heated cooking trap
• Motorised food processor.
Cooling, freezing, heating, & processing is more simplified.
• Development and availability of new food products.
Modern refrigeration & quick transportation has caused revolutionary
changes in eating habits. For the first time fresh foods of all kinds-
meats, fish, vegetables & fruits have become available throughout the
year. Freezing, canning, irradiation.
NOUVEELLE CUISINE
A generation after Escofier, were the most influential chefs like
Fernand Point (1897-1955) working quietly in his restaurant “Le
Pyramide” in Vienne- France. Chef point re simplified and lightened
the classical cuisine he insisted that every food must be handled as “a
little marvel”. Many of his apprentices like Chef Paul Bocuse, Jean
Pierre & Chef Troisgros with Alain chapel went on to become greatest
stars of modern cuisine. These chefs started the foundation of
nouvelle cuisine which was more sophisticated and delightful, where
as they rejected many of the traditional methods & principles of
cooking and introduced new ones.