What holiday is today, the cook's day? Dinner is served! History and traditions of International Chef's Day

Date in 2019: October 20th, Sunday.

Man eats to live. But you can not just absorb monotonous food and products out of habit, but enjoy the taste, smell, and appearance of the dish. Professional chefs and culinary amateurs are capable of creating masterpieces of culinary art. All of them are worthy of congratulations on October 20, when Chef's Day is celebrated around the world.

Every family has its own food traditions. Someone, not wanting to waste time on cooking, eats exclusively sandwiches and fast food. For some, it is important to feed their family correctly, and recipes for light meals made from organic products are used. And for some, cooking is akin to an art that requires improvisation, inspiration and unique skills.

For such creators, whom we are accustomed to calling chefs or culinary specialists, each dish is a masterpiece, surprising both in its taste characteristics and in the way it is presented. In October there is a delicious holiday - Chef's Day, when all people involved in cooking not only accept congratulations, but also brag about their culinary achievements.

Who's celebrating?

Man learned to cook food from the moment fire appeared. The first culinary experiments looked like undercooked pieces of fish or meat. Among the tribesmen there was always a luckier one who could prepare the obtained products “exquisitely” and tasty. This is how the first cooks appeared, who were entrusted with feeding the entire tribe.

Subsequently, the attitude towards food changed from enthusiastic reverence to disgusting ignorance.

Mentions of a cook as a professional who could earn a living through his craft are recorded in marks dating back to the third millennium BC, and were found on the island. Crete. Surely, cooks existed in more ancient civilizations. This is confirmed by written monuments in which real recipes were found.

The work of culinary specialists was not only taken into account; the prestige of a noble home directly depended on their success. Traditions and recipes were carefully preserved and passed on only to students or heirs.

Quite a lot interesting facts belongs to the era of Ancient Rome. It was here that cook uprisings that engulfed entire cities were recorded. And during the times of Emperor Augustus and Tiberius, cooking schools were opened, where Apilius, famous at that time, taught culinary art.

The Romans even have a tenth muse. Her name became Cooking. Legend connects the tenth muse with the art of a simple cook named Kulina, who served the daughter of Aesculapius Hygeia, the patroness of science and health. Subsequently, Cooking became the patroness of all culinary specialists and cooks, and the art itself acquired a similar name.

The penetration of spices into European countries in the Middle Ages gave impetus to the rapid development of culinary art. The championship in gourmet cuisine of those times belongs to Italy. But culinary specialists from France, who achieved unimaginable fame under Louis XIV, did not lag behind. To this day, these countries are trying to challenge their primacy in the field of cooking.

Not only professional chefs, but also people of other professions made a significant contribution to the development of culinary art. Statesmen and politicians, writers and priests did not shy away from cooking, and influenced the development of national cuisines.

In Rus', family cooking was done exclusively by older women. Professional cooks are mentioned in the chronicles of the 11th century, where entire cookhouses with monks at the Kiev Caves Church are described.

The development of Russian cooking was based on folk traditions and national recipes. But visiting European masters and eastern neighbors also had an influence.

The first cafe prototypes date back to Ancient Rus'. Then the wanderer could stop at a tavern, where he would find food and rest. Later, taverns appear. These roadside establishments were equipped with a kitchen, a dining room, and rooms for recreation. At the same time, the first restaurants opened, but only in big cities.

During times Soviet power In many public institutions, canteens were opened that had social significance. Cheap, and sometimes free, lunches were provided in kindergartens and schools, institutes and technical schools, factories. The need for cooks has increased significantly. Therefore, vocational educational institutions began to appear, where short term taught cooking.

Almost before the transition to market relations, there was a monopoly in the restaurant business. But it cannot be said that the range of dishes in such establishments was very impressive. The exception was expensive restaurants in capital cities and government “canteens”.

In the 90s, both enterprising businessmen and culinary specialists had a chance to show off their art. Behind Lately There are many specialized, national, highly specialized cafes and restaurants open. This is where you can taste delicious dishes and admire the skill of the chefs. On Chef's Day, they do not leave their post, but try to spend their festive professional day at the stove, coming up with new original recipes.

Public food outlets, where no less enthusiastic chefs work, have not lost their relevance. Don’t forget on Chef’s Day, when it’s time to thank our breadwinners, congratulate Aunt Masha, who prepares delicious porridge every day and rosy pies in a factory or school canteen.

And, of course, we should congratulate those who, despite the lack of specialized education, prepare us a nutritious breakfast every morning, and on weekends try to surprise us with a good family dinner. These are our mothers and grandmothers, wives and sisters. Or maybe in your family the king of pots and pans is your husband or son. They are also worthy of congratulations on Chef's Day 2019.

history of the holiday

What is a holiday for a chef? National traditions have developed so that any celebration is accompanied by treats. Whether it will be a magnificent banquet, or a family feast, or a buffet or sweet table - you cannot do without the participation of a culinary specialist. And the culinary masters try, while everyone is enjoying the taste, to add the final, most important touches to the dish.

This is probably why chefs didn’t think about creating their own holiday for a long time. But they were able to organize their own Association, which united culinary communities around the world. And when the number of people included in this organization exceeded 8 million, the idea arose of establishing a holiday for all culinary specialists and chefs. Since 2004, it has been noted world holiday, which is called International Chef's Day.

Culinary maestros and amateurs from 70 countries immediately joined the celebration.

It’s impossible to make a mistake about the date of Chef’s Day in Russia - it is celebrated, like all over the world, on October 20th. According to traditions, this holiday is not only for famous and professional craftsmen, but also ordinary self-taught people who have achieved success in the field of cooking. Gourmets also join them so as not to miss the chance to taste exquisite unique masterpieces.

As professionals celebrate Chef's Day, the cook's day is spent at the stove. They prepare their best dishes, which they present at exhibitions and tastings, and give charity and paid master classes.

For beginners in cooking, this year offers a great opportunity to get acquainted with the work of real masters, learn unusual cooking techniques and learn the nuances of such a difficult but exciting work.

If similar events are organized in your city on such a day, do not miss the opportunity to attend an unforgettable culinary show. Often such celebrations end with the collective preparation of huge dishes intended to treat all guests. Such masterpieces can surprise with their grandeur and often end up in the book of records.

About the profession of a cook

What culinary college student doesn’t dream of becoming a famous chef? What does it take for a career in the field of cooking to take place, and for a culinary specialist to be talked about not just as a good chef who knows how to cook, but as a skilled maestro who surprises with his masterpiece dishes.

“What’s so complicated here,” the average person will say: “Study the recipe, cut it, fry it and put it on a plate. The main thing is patience and punctuality."

Of course, such qualities are not the least important for success. Leave the dish in the pan for a couple of seconds or add a little more salt - and the whole treat is inevitably ruined.

But what about ingenuity, flair, impromptu? After all, it is rare that any real master adheres to the recipe thoroughly. And if you don’t fry the breast, but cut it open and bake it... What happens when we add a little lemon to the sauce... Or maybe decorate the top not with parsley, but with a sprig of tarragon? This is how new recipes and world masterpieces are born.

But for sophisticated experiments, the cook must have excellent taste and a sense of beauty, knowledge technological processes and product compatibility.

A career does not begin with preparing dishes according to original and complex recipes. Usually, beginners have to run around as apprentices. And only determination and communication skills, responsibility and leadership qualities help to move up a step.

It is impossible to say that such a profession is easy. The specialist has to spend an entire shift, which can sometimes last up to 12–16 hours, on his feet, and in a stuffy, hot room to boot. Speed ​​also plays a significant role. Slow people have no place in the kitchen. In addition, a person involved in cooking must have Strong arms and stable hand joints. After all, they have to do all the work with their hands.

Therefore, not every applicant can withstand such a pace and load. Older people can only be found as cooks in the kitchens of catering organizations. In restaurants and cafes that are in demand, the demands on chefs are quite high. And age and the presence of certain diseases play an important role.

Compliance with sanitary standards is also important. The only requirement when hiring is to have a health certificate confirming the absence of infectious and dangerous diseases. But besides this, a kitchen worker must also be a neat person. Hairstyle, clothes, habits - everything is reflected in the image.

It’s interesting, but even having a specialized education is not always the key to success. Some famous masters have made good careers by taking regular culinary courses. A person who devotes himself to such a profession must constantly develop independently, study new technologies, get acquainted with the recipes of different cuisines, and learn to work on new modern equipment.

But if you still plan to become a technologist, chef or production manager, you will have to graduate not just from a lyceum or college, but from a higher educational institution.

It is in such educational institutions The basics of culinary skills are taught. Students get acquainted with the cuisines of the world, with cooking technologies, with the composition of products, with the influence of nutrition on health, with sanitary standards.

Chefs engaged in self-development attend master classes, complete specialized courses, participate in competitions, exhibitions and even show programs. The most advanced ones try to undergo an internship with eminent maestros or get an education at well-known foreign culinary schools.

Congratulations for cooks

Many thanks to everyone who, sparing no time and effort, spends time at the stove. Congratulations to all the chefs and cooks who know how to prepare the most delicious, most beautiful treats from ordinary products. May you have a free minute on holiday to enjoy the results of your work. Let your imagination never run out and your hands never tire.

The work of any cook is important!

He is a god in the kitchen, an idol.

On the October day on Chef's Day

We'll throw a real feast.

White cap and apron.

The cook does magic in the kitchen.

And, despite your holiday,

We are waiting for new and tasty dishes.

Larisa, August 22, 2016.

One of the most sought-after and irreplaceable professions in the world is the profession of a cook. Everyone knows about the importance of proper, healthy and, at the same time, tasty food. And only masters in this field can create healthy culinary creations with inspiration, combining sometimes the most unexpected ingredients. The profession of a cook is one of the most ancient. Legend has it that the name “cooking” was derived from the name of the assistant of the god of healing Asclepius, the cook Kulina. According to legend, it was she who became the patroness of the culinary craft.

History and customs of the holiday

And in our time, the profession of a cook is very highly valued. All chefs and culinary specialists are happy to celebrate their professional holiday - International Chef's Day, which takes place annually on October 20. The history of the origin of International Chef's Day dates back to 2004, when the World Association of Culinary Communities decided to celebrate Chef's Day on 20th. This association includes 8 million people from different parts of the world who are representatives of the cooking and culinary industry. Not many people know what date International Chef's Day is celebrated. And today, on this holiday, many large-scale events and promotions are held in different countries Oh. Not only chefs, but also event organizers, owners of snack bars and restaurants, as well as government officials are involved in the tradition of celebrating this day.

The days when International Chefs Day is celebrated are associated with a lot of positive emotions and fun. This celebration in different countries of the world is often a large-scale event. It is attended by food preparation specialists who are trained in this craft and, of course, gourmets who want to taste an unforgettable dish from a master. Everyone can enjoy not only the demonstration cooking process, but also try a variety of dishes.

The holiday, dedicated to chefs and culinary specialists from all over the world, was created not only to emphasize the importance of the profession, but also so that specialists from all over the world could exchange experiences, as well as to raise funds for charity. Confectioners, chefs and technologists share their knowledge, inviting everyone to try delicious delicacies. Many master classes are held for those who want to learn the technology of cooking. Professionals also talk about safety precautions, sanitary standards, combinations of spices and kitchen utensils.

The date on which International Chef's Day is celebrated is always a special day for event participants. On this day, holidays are celebrated on a huge scale in different countries. Sometimes the whole city can gather on this day. According to tradition, the celebration begins with specialists who prepare culinary masterpieces, then it is their turn to demonstrate and evaluate the dishes. Gaining irreplaceable experience and skills, aspiring chefs can take part in competitions. The holiday ends with cooking large sizes, which are then solemnly divided and distributed for the refreshment of those present. Demonstrations of such culinary delights often end up in newspapers and on television.

Cooking delicious food can be a unique process that is even fun to watch. That’s why International Chef’s Day is so interesting not only for the heroes of the occasion. The presence of any person at such a holiday will be useful and memorable. And every year on October 20, new interesting customs appear around the world.

Every year your professional holiday - Chef's Day- noted chefs and cooks from all over the world. International date was established in 2004 at the initiative of the World Association of Culinary Societies. This organization, by the way, has no less than 8 million members - representatives of the culinary profession from different countries. Therefore, it is not surprising that the professionals of world cuisine have found their own holiday.

Celebration International Day Chefs Day (International Chefs Day) in more than 70 countries has become widespread. In addition to the culinary specialists directly in the organization festive events Representatives of government authorities, employees of travel companies and, of course, owners of public catering establishments - from small cafes to famous restaurants - take part. They organize skill competitions among chefs, conduct tastings and experiment with preparing original dishes.

The profession of a cook is one of the most sought after in the world and one of the most ancient. History, of course, is silent about who first came up with the idea of ​​​​cooking meat from hunted game or plants collected in the forest. But there is a legend about a woman whose name gave the name to the entire industry - cooking.

The ancient Greeks revered the god of healing, Asclepius (aka the Roman Aesculapius). His daughter Hygeia was considered the guardian of health (by the way, the word “hygiene” came from her name). And their faithful assistant in all matters was the cook Kulina, who began to patronize the art of cooking, called “cooking.”

The first recipes written down on paper appeared in Babylon, Ancient Egypt and Ancient China, as well as in the countries of the Arab East. Some of them have come down to us in written monuments of that era, and if desired, anyone can try to prepare the dishes that the Egyptian pharaoh or the emperor of the Celestial Empire ate.

In Russia, cooking as a science began to develop in the 18th century. This was due to the spread of food businesses. At first these were taverns, then taverns and restaurants. The first culinary kitchen in our country opened in 1888 in St. Petersburg.

We wish you only delicious dishes in life!
And for this you need the ingredients:
Love, health, friendship and comfort,
And more kind words and compliments!

Let's add a pinch of joy and good luck,
A smile will give the dish the right taste,
And if you cry, it’s only out of happiness - no other way!
We congratulate you on Chef's Day!

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The profession of a cook is one of the oldest in the world, and its demand has always broken records. It's no surprise that masters of the culinary arts have their own date to celebrate their professional skills.

Chef's Day: youth and popularity. What's the secret?

World Chef's Day- a relatively young holiday. It was approved by the World Association of Culinary Societies in 2004, but during this time it managed to gain considerable popularity. The thing is that the holiday allows you not only to have a tasty and fun time, but also to learn from precious experience the best masters kitchens, learn to use your own imagination in the cooking process, realize the importance of the profession of a cook and even become a witness of new records.

Celebrating the culinary skills of catering workers takes place annually in seventy countries around the world. But what does the extravaganza called Chef's Day look like and what date does it take place?

What date and how is World Chef's Day celebrated?

The “delicious” date in 2004 was determined The 20th of October. Since then, every year on this day all the chefs of the world accept congratulations on professional holiday and collect compliments and flattering reviews about their skill and virtuosity.

The celebration itself is extremely large-scale and looks something like this around the world:

• On this day, almost every catering establishment nominates its candidate for the title of “best chef of the year”, after which grandiose competitions are held between the nominees, which not only determine the level of professionalism of the kitchen staff, but also bring great gastronomic pleasure to everyone who wants to try delicious dishes. Tasting, of course, is completely free on this day.
• The doors of restaurants, cafes, pizzerias, and fast food establishments are wide open on this day for all visitors, inviting them to try new menu items, standard dishes and delicacies, and, of course, appreciate the work of the chefs.
• Entire “edible” exhibitions are held in the central squares of cities, the results of which can often be seen in the interesting news section. Huge-sized dishes, which are already becoming a good tradition of culinary unity and show their ability to work as a team, even receive titles and are included in the Guinness Book of Records, glorifying the country.

Art for soul and body

Chef's Day is a great opportunity for culinary specialists around the world not only to demonstrate the latest developments in the field, techniques for using kitchen utensils, their own skills and general professionalism, but also to show the whole world that cooking is not just delicious food, but an entire art filled with soul cook, in which he plays the role of a real conductor. His talent is capable of creating unprecedented symphonies of tastes and a scattering of aromas, educating true gourmets and giving a lot of pleasure to even the most skeptical eaters.

Chef's Day in 2020 will again be celebrated by professionals on a grand scale. Representatives of this art daily delight guests of establishments with traditional dishes, and also come up with new tastes and serving options.

If previously cooks worked only for the top of society, and the profession was not widespread, then from the end of the 18th century significant changes began to occur in the field. By the beginning of the 20th century, there were so many culinary experts that in 1928 they decided to unite and create the “Association of Culinary Chefs.” The international organization today includes 8 million chefs.

Every year the Association gathers congresses of representatives of the profession, at which decisions are made current issues spheres, regulations for holding international competitions are drawn up. Chefs share new ideas and solutions with each other, combining their accumulated experience. In 2004, at the next such congress, the chefs established their own holiday. The cook's day was “set” on the founding date of the Association.

What date is celebrated in Russia?

Because this international holiday, Chef's Day in Russia, as in all countries, is celebrated on October 20. In 2020, chefs, ordinary cooks, confectioners and technologists will celebrate it for the 16th time.

Knowing what date is Chef's Day in 2020, you will congratulate your familiar representatives of the profession. It is not necessary to present an expensive gift or a themed souvenir, just send it via messenger funny postcard, thereby showing that the person is important to you and you remember when his professional day is.

Traditions and customs

Chef's Day is celebrated by specialists related to the honorable and creative profession:

• chefs of restaurants and cafes;
• sous chefs and line cooks;
• sushi experts;
• pizzaoli;
• bakers;
• confectioners;
• technologists;
• kitchen workers.

Those who represent “related” kitchen professions - waiters and bartenders, restaurant business employees - take part in the celebration.

International competitions and events are held to coincide with Chef's Day. Professional federations in each country organize thematic festivals, quizzes for culinary experts, and fairs. Artists perform at the concerts, and after the creative part, the specialists move on to the long-awaited banquet.

An interesting part of the celebrations are competitions among professionals. Pastry chefs and chefs compete for the titles of the best, creating culinary works of art right in front of the jury. On free sites, professionals give free master classes, which are designed to teach ordinary housewives how to prepare dishes haute cuisine, as well as attract young people to the field and pass on invaluable experience to the new generation. These traditions increase interest in the restaurant business and demonstrate to others the capabilities of professionals who can use simple ingredients to create a tasty and appetizing dish worthy of haute cuisine.

On Chef's Day, organizations participate in charity: they organize a festive marathon of cooking for guests of the establishment, and the proceeds are sent to help those in need.

Who are the best chefs in the world?

Men are the best cooks, this statement is not even worth trying to challenge. Only representatives of the stronger sex are heard - Gordon Ramsay and our Konstantin Ivlev, Dmey Oliver. Bright and emotional culinary shows invariably attract millions of viewers to their screens, and the professionalism and ability to create a unique and tasty dish from ordinary products is simply amazing.

But these examples do not prove that the world's best chefs are men. Yes, now the pedestals are occupied mainly by representatives of the stronger sex, but this is due to the fact that women for a long time were not allowed into the profession. It is interesting that in almost all languages ​​“cook” has only a masculine gender, and in Japan they even believe that the fair sex has high temperature body, which negatively affects prepared dishes, in particular sushi.

Stereotypes are gradually being destroyed: now there are many professional female chefs all over the world who are not inferior in skill and knowledge to men. The work of a chef is hard, but this does not stop strong ladies from achieving success and proving to the world that there is no place for discrimination in the profession. Missy Robbins in America, Anne-Sophie Pic in France, Elena Arzak in Spain, Nadia Santini in Italy and Claire Smith in England have become modern pioneers in this difficult task. These strong and talented individuals proved to the world that women have a place not only in the home kitchen, but also in the restaurant kitchen.