If you’re a passionate individual who enjoys working with food, you might have toyed with the idea of turning your love of food into a career. The culinary arts is a rapidly growing field with a variety of opportunities, but what does it take to turn your dreams into reality? Let’s look at some of the ways you can turn your passion for food into a full-time career.

Are You The Next Gordon Ramsay?

Working in a professional kitchen is a demanding and tiring job. Successful chefs study hard and are constantly working on improving their culinary skills. Those that are lucky enough to get a foot in the door early on and work under an experienced chef can use the opportunity to grow and gain valuable experience.

If you’re starting, it can take some time before you’re earning enough to support yourself completely. Don’t expect to start at the top; it will take hard work and effort to work yourself up the ladder. Choose your specialty, and if you’re lucky enough to find a good restaurant, they’ll allow you to dabble in different areas of the kitchen until you find the perfect fit.

Mobile Food Truck

If working in a fast-paced eating establishment is too intense, but you love to prepare food, why not try something different. Major cities are home to busy streets filled with food trucks offering delicious varieties of different cuisines.

It’s a great idea if you’re looking to start a business, the costs are not as high as opening a restaurant, and you’ll be your own boss. Take some time to put together a business plan; you’ll need to make sure your food truck is covered and that you have the means to support yourself while finding your feet. Read more about protecting your food truck business here.

Catering

If the busy kitchens in large restaurants don’t appeal to you, perhaps you’re more comfortable in your kitchen at home. You can make a living earning money cooking at home.

A catering business is a great way to bring your love of food together with the ability to earn an income. If you’re planning on going it alone, it’s probably best to take on small jobs at first. Check and see if there are any functions in your community that you can offer your services to.

Speak to friends and family members and ask them to let others know that you’re starting a small catering business. Take on the small occasions first so that you can learn the ropes. It’s also fun and allows you to get creative with different types of treats.

Conclusion

So whether you see yourself slaving away in your kitchen at home, opening your own food truck, or sweating it out in a busy eatery in the city, there are several ways you can turn your creative ways with food into an income-generating operation.

It takes a bit of planning and preparation, and the progress might be slow, but everything good takes time. Use your time to learn new skills and find out where you belong in the world of food.

We have all heard the pressure cooker horror stories of the past, where people have forgotten about what they have brewing and messy explosions have ensued. The Instant Pot is, by definition, a type of pressure cooker but designed with multiple safety features so it is really unlikely anything to go wrong.

Corrie Cooks, the creator of a renowned Instant Pot blog, has commented on its features in the past and how the Instant Pot creators included 10 safety features to keep users safe. Corrie Cooks comments on the steam release valve, anti-block shields, automatic temperature control, and burn protection. Corrie Cooks does mention that, even with these features, it is still important to adhere to the Instant Pot safety tips whenever you use the appliance.

For example, when using an Instant Pot you should always adhere to the safety markings and never fill to the top of the pot when cooking. If you are cooking with ingredients that may expand when cooked (rice, pasta, beans) then it is vital that you leave enough room in the Instant Pot for these ingredients to cook properly. If you ignore this advice, it is likely that your Instant Pot will explode from the pressure accumulated throughout the cooking time. If you are struggling for size with your Instant Pot then Corrie Cooks suggests upscaling to a large model.

Even though the Instant Pot takes the work out of the kitchen, it is important to not leave the appliance entirely on its own when it is cooking. For instance, don’t leave the house whilst you have the pressure applied in the pot, Corrie Cooks advises that you should always be around to watch out for any warning signs or mishaps that may occur.

It may seem a little obvious but, as delicious as your food might smell, never open your Instant Pot during or straight after it has finished cooking. When opening your Instant Pot up, make sure that your face is not directly above the pot or any valves and open the lid at a safe distance. Corrie Cooks suggests always using an oven mitt or kitchen towel to protect your hands from any scalding.

Lastly, as tempting as it may be, when you first get your Instant Pot try to refrain from embarking on any ambitious recipes. Instead, start off slow and get used to how the appliance works. There are hundreds of great recipes online, many of which on Corrie Cooks’ blog too, but make sure that you start out with meals and treats that are easy to manage and don’t require too much high pressure cooking. Many newcomers have tried out deep frying with their brand new instant pots and this has ended in many instant pots becoming damaged or permanently broken.

Instant Pots are great appliances that can revolutionize your downtime by providing quick, yummy, and healthy meals with minimum effort. Follow these safety tips to make sure you and your Instant Pot remain safe every time. 

CBD Oil is becoming increasingly popular, with some swearing by its various benefits. While there is still a lot to learn about what precisely this compound can do, research has shown that it can benefit individuals with stress and anxiety, and may help alleviate chronic pain. 

While some choose to take the oil directly, and others prefer gummies, some people are getting creative by adding it to their cooking regime. In this article, we’ll explain how you can cook with CBD oil. 

Start with a small amount: 

If you haven’t used CBD oil before, or are cooking with it for the first time, it’s best to start small, rather than add in a big dose. While it isn’t a psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, a little goes a long way, and you want to make sure you don’t feel any side effects.  

Be aware of how it will make you feel: 

CBD is not a psychoactive drug, so you won’t feel an ‘intense high,’ which is what some individuals expect. You will probably feel more benefits after a week of use, including relaxation, reduced anxiety, and stress. After each use, you might feel calm or peaceful. However, everyone’s reactions are different. 

Use fat: 

Your body absorbs CBD best when it is paired with fat. This is because it is a fat-soluble product. Whatever you use most in your cooking, whether it be coconut oil, butter, etc., use it to bind with your CBD. Experts also recommend using high-quality CBD oil, so that you get the best results. Check out Rave Reviews to see their different options and recommendations. 

Don’t overheat: 

CBD oil can get bitter fast, especially if you turn up the heat. Experts recommend not going over 120 degrees Fahrenheit as you can “cook it out” and reduce its potency. Try starting with it as an oil to dash over your salad, or add it into your favorite smoothie recipe. This way, you can establish a taste, and then experiment further.  

Recipes can be sweet and savory:  

CBD is so diverse that when creating recipes, you can opt to go both sweet and savory. Have a look online at these CBD snack recipes, or try a fancy dinner approach. Once you’ve established its flavor, you can really take the opportunity to get creative. CBD guacamole, CBD mint tea, and CBD peanut butter cookies are just some options! 

Be aware of the possible side effects: 

Just like benefits, there are also some side effects of using CBD oil. These include dry mouth, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and change of appetite. Most of these, however, can be controlled. Just remember to drink plenty of water, and if you feel dizzy, drink a cup of tea or a cup of coffee to help with your blood pressure. 

And there you have it! This is everything you need to know about cooking with CBD oil. While it might not be for everyone, for those interested in trying it, remember to have a lookout for the best high-quality products. You can even get creative with recipes and share them online. Good luck, and have fun experimenting with new flavors and dishes.

Every school is different and has different feelings to them. Elementary felt different than Junior High, which probably felt different than High School. And I’m sure that all of your schools felt different from the different schools that you would visit. There’s an atmosphere that surrounds studying, and secondary education like a Marketing MBA. 

Many people enjoy learning and love the environment. They find joy in visiting the library, working with tutors, grinding out papers, and showing up early to class to make sure they have a seat in the front. Other students dread class projects, the necessity of class attendance, the unforgiving professors who refuse to accept that busses can be late or that old cars barely running because of student debt will unequivocally break down. 

Because every person is different, requires different mediums, and learns in different ways, it only makes sense that the applications for that learning, and the organizations bent on providing that education should take this into consideration and teach in different manners that will promote general education in specific ways. 

One of these avenues for advanced secondary education is WGU.edu. They are a fully online school that promotes learning in multiple fields for those who seek the study out of the comfort of their own home. Whether or not that is deemed as unconventional, it has effectively provided varying degrees for those who have found it a better alternative to studying on a campus. Because we all learn differently, WGU.edu has created programs, lectures, and courses that combine the positive aspects found on any university or campus and have brought them to your doorstep. 

Keep your health in mind while you are going through all this. Making sure you get all the nutrients you need can be difficult if you are trying to get a degree or make big life changing choices. Look up Life Infused for healthy options to getting your daily nutritional needs on a busy lifestyle.

If you have felt constrained by the binding schedule found in most secondary education, give WGU a shot. Their goal is to get rid of any unnecessary stress, and provide you with the best education.

Milk has a long history of being associated with human health. It has been consumed by every human being who was born in this world and will continue to be an important source of energy for the generations to come. Though dairy products have been criticized for a long time, no one can deny the incredible benefits of milk for the human body. The most commonly consumed milk types come from sheep, cows, and goats. In the western part of the world, much emphasis is placed on milk and the intake of a lot of dairy products. The nutrition world features milk as a very important source of energy so you must know its multiple benefits, some of which are:

1.      Milk is rich in nutrients

You will be intrigued to know, milk is rich in multiple nutrients. If you are a fitness enthusiast and have to eat multiple foodstuffs to suffice for the body’s need for several nutrients, milk alone can fulfill those requirements. The nutritional portfolio of milk is very important and impressive. It is rich in protein, fats, potassium, vitamin D, calories, vitamin B12, selenium, etc. So if you want to stay healthy, you must carve a habit of drinking milk as a part of your routine.

2.      Milk is crucial for bone health

Every TV commercial projects a strong relationship between bones and milk which is true. The main reason why milk is associated with bone health is because of its strong relationship with several nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamin K2, all of which are very crucial for bones. When combined, these nutrients can provide many benefits to the body and especially to the bones. You will be intrigued to know; bones store 99% of calcium. A lot of milk manufacturers use the goats milk formula for their customers.

3.      Milk can be consumed in different ways

Milk is a versatile ingredient, and so can be consumed in multiple ways. If you don’t like to drink raw milk you can incorporate it in different beverages and desserts. A lot of people drink tea and coffee, both of which feature milk as an important ingredient. You can make delicious milk smoothies and enjoy it in several desserts. There are multiple ways to consume milk in this day and age. People in different cultures have creative ways to incorporate it into their foodstuffs.

4.      Milk is a good source of protein

People who work out in the gym need to consume hefty amounts of protein every day to pump their muscles. Milk is the only source that has the finest quality protein in it. Protein is very crucial for muscle growth, cellular repair and for strengthening the immune system of the body. Experts acknowledge milk as a complete protein package because it encapsulates all of the nine amino acids, which are crucial for the body to function properly.

5.      Milk helps in fighting obesity

If you have a habit of drinking milk every day, you won’t get obese in future. Several studies have proved, milk curtails obesity and helps in keeping the body fit. An interesting study conducted with 145 young Latino kids concluded that toddlers who drank whole milk had a lesser chance of developing obesity during childhood. Milk has a vast array of component which helps in breaking down the excessive fats in the body. If you drink a full glass of milk in the morning, you will feel bloated for the rest of the day.

So next time somebody stops you from drinking milk, tell them about the incredible benefits of this beverage, which has served humankind for a long time. 

While wine and beer have their times and places, there are certain occasions that call for a classic cocktail. Some classic cocktails appear deceptively simple, but purists and aficionados look for the details that signify the cocktail is the real deal. 

It should come as no surprise that top-shelf liquors make for a quality cocktail. However, details like the garnish and the glassware the drinks are served in can really set them apart.

Martinis

The martini glass is probably one of the most recognizable specialty cocktail glasses. Before the martini glass came to be, there was a similar-looking glass called a cocktail glass. Many people today still confuse the two, but they do have a slightly different design. With the appearance of martini glasses in popular culture, it seems like their main function is to make the drink appear classy. 

However, they serve several functions that include keeping the drink frosty and exposing the gin to air. Over the years, there have been infinite variations of martinis to satisfy any palette, and the history of the first martini is a bit murky.

 There is still some debate as to whether a vodka martini is considered a “real” martini. A good deal of people still insist a classic martini is simply gin, vermouth, and a garnish of olive or lemon.

Hurricane

Another well-known cocktail glass is the hurricane glass. It got its name from its resemblance to a hurricane lantern. Not surprisingly, the most popular drink served in it is the hurricane. This cocktail is a mix of light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, grenadine, and topped with a maraschino cherry. 

It is usually garnished with an orange slice. The drink also has debatable origins, but the most well-known version is definitely from New Orleans’ famous Pat O’ Briens. This glass is often used for blended and frozen cocktails with a tropical theme where rum is the liquor of choice. 

Margarita

Anyone who has been to a chain restaurant that serves margaritas knows they are not always served in the unique margarita glass. However, there are advantages to serving a margarita in a welled margarita glass. 

In addition to holding more drink, and having more of a rim for salt or sugar, the glass is designed to be held easily. With the variety of margarita flavors and textures, it could be hard to forget the classic recipe. The simple combination of tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, ice, and salt is still as refreshing as ever. 

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail that started making a comeback in recent years. While this drink has common cocktail ingredients like lime and vodka, the ginger beer in it really provides a nice zing. The Moscow Mule mug is part of the appeal of the drink, too. There are legends surrounding the drink and the reason the copper mug was used. These days, the mugs may not be real copper, but they at least have a shiny copper appearance. 

Mint Julep

One final classic cocktail with a signature cup is the mint julep. The pewter mint julep cup is intended to be held from the top or the bottom so the cup itself can stay frosty. This cocktail is made of bourbon, sugar, water, and shaved ice. It became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 and is still as popular as ever in the Bluegrass state.

There are some who would say as long as a cocktail has the right ingredients, what does the glass the matter? It’s true you can enjoy a drink out of any glass, but these unique cocktail glasses are designed to enhance the quality of the drink.

 It doesn’t hurt that the design of the cups helps create a certain atmosphere for the drinker. The elegant mint julep cup of the Kentucky Derby, the tropical hurricane glass – these are cocktail glasses that help create memories. 

If you love enjoying the warm sun or a cool evening breeze as you cook a delicious meal, then consider the installation of an outdoor kitchen. While having an outdoor kitchen can increase the value of your property, it definitely has other benefits as well. Here are some of the best benefits of having an outdoor kitchen at your home. 

1. Enhance the Flavor of Foods

To enhance the flavors of foods, you can cook outside over wood pellets or charcoal. These grilling options will give meats and veggies a smoky flavor that adds to the overall taste of the food. So you get a better flavor without having to do much work in the kitchen. The combination of that smoky flavor with herbs and spices is irresistible. 

2. Have a Fun Place for Family Get-togethers

When you love having family get-togethers, it is essential create space for meals and other activities that they will enjoy. An outdoor kitchen is an excellent place for your relatives to congregate, cook, or to sit while playing board games. 

3. Healthy Cooking Options

Cooking outside is a healthy option because you don’t need to use a variety of oils that have no nutritional value. Grilling food doesn’t require the application of high-fat ingredients like butter or animal/plant-based frying oils. The liquefied fats from meats will drip through the metal grill to create a food that is less greasy and healthier for you to eat. 

4. Enjoying Nature While You Eat a Meal

Getting outside into nature is vital for your mental and physical well-being. With an outdoor kitchen, you can sit outside to look at the birds, listen to the breeze blow through the trees, or watch your kids/grandkids play in the grass. This is an excellent way to avoid developing a condition that is referred to as nature deficit disorder. 

5. Reduction in the Cost of Utilities 

The cost of cooking outside in a special kitchen is less than cooking inside your home. You can have propane gas tanks for a grill or a stove, but there are also cooking devices for outdoor kitchens that use electricity or charcoal. If you want to save money while cooking, then you can install a larger stove that has multiple burners, making it possible to cook several types of foods at one time. 

6. Keep Cooking Odors Outside Your Home 

To avoid the smell from foods like fish and seafood inside your home, you can cook in your outdoor kitchen. This can keep odors from seeping into a home’s carpet fibers or draperies. The cool breezes that are outside will blow away the foul odors so that your home’s interior still smells fresh. 

7. More Space for Parties 

If you have a small home, chances are, you don’t have enough space for parties with many friends. With an outdoor kitchen, you can increase your available space for guests. An outdoor kitchen is a suitable area for a child’s birthday party or for your teenager to have a cookout with schoolmates. 

With the party outside your home, you won’t need to worry as much about having dirt carried into your home on your guests’ shoes, and in addition, your guests will feel more comfortable mingling in an open space.

8. Easy to Keep Clean

When you are cooking inside your home, grease and other food debris can filter onto the cabinets, walls, floors and countertops, which could require a major cleaning process. An outdoor kitchen is simple to keep clean each day. 

In some cases, you can use a garden hose to wash the floor of the space, and also, you can splash water on the plastic tables and chairs. Most outdoor kitchen builders use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for the cabinets in the space. This HDPE material resists the damages caused by snow and rain, so you can keep the cabinets cleaner without worrying about the exposure to moisture. 

9. Boosting Your Mood

Going outside to cook a meal in an outdoor kitchen will lead to additional exposure to natural light. This helps your body to manufacture vitamin D, which can help you to feel better mentally. Lack of sunlight can cause fatigue and grumpiness, so it is essential to go outside several times a week to increase the vitamin D levels in your body. 

How Can You Learn to Cook Outside? 

When you want to learn more about cooking outside, you can find cookbooks and DVDs at your local public library that can teach you more about the process. When all else fails, there’s always plenty of information about grilling, brining, dry rubs, perfect temperatures to grill at, and what kinds of wood chips or charcoal to use. 

Approximately 80% of American households own a grill. This data shows how far the American population is ready to embrace developments in the kitchen and cooking department. As far as outdoor cooking is concerned, gas and charcoal grills are the two prominent types of grills.

The continued conservation campaigns have reduced the number of charcoal grills in our homes since they are associated with deforestation. Gas grills make use of a natural resource that is readily available. However, gas grills have mixed fortunes.

Below are some insights into the advantages and disadvantages of a gas grill.

Begin by Getting the Right Grill

One of the significant problems associated with this equipment is the high probability of becoming faulty. This is primarily brought about by individual tendencies of buying substandard equipment.

There are set standards for gas grills that you have to check before taking it home. Be sure that your pick is equal to the task to avoid future inconveniences. At the same time, be sure that you can use it efficiently when no one else is around.

If you are not familiar with it, take time and go through the menu. If doing so doesn’t help, talk to the technician, and get assistance where necessary. Don’t buy it because you only have a limited amount of funds.

Advantages

Food Cooks Faster

It becomes hard to compare gas grills with other cooking equipment. These grills consume less time in cooking which saves you much for other activities. They only take a fraction of the time consumed by other cooking methods.

It also saves you cash that you would have used to rush to a hotel to get some bites. Grills allow the accumulation of heat, thus the rapid cooking process. It has a quicker ignition and heating rate as compared to the rest.

It Is Cheap

When it comes to the cost, gas grills may have a high initial cost. However, you will get to realize that it was the cheapest option in town. Other forms of the grill are characterized by low prices which later become a problem due to the high cost of fuel.

On the flip side, gas grills will be cheap in the long run since gas has low prices. You will generally have enough cash to get more grilling foods for the family.

Easy Control of Temperature

While grilling, it will reach a point where either the heat is too low or too much. In the case of gas grills, it becomes easy to regulate the temperature which is done through the adjustment of a specified knob.

Charcoal grills are directly the opposite in that controlling the temperature requires sufficient airflow. While this may be not difficult, you cannot compare it to the convenience of a knob.

Temperature is a critical component of your grilling experience. Ensure the knobs are functioning even before you take the griller home. In case they fail after a short time, use the warranty policy to get another machine.

Gas Grills are Safe

Unlike charcoal grills, gas rarely emits fumes of carbon that may end up bringing instances of breathing complications. It also lacks wastes, like ash, that may be blown by winds to other apartments.

While there isn’t as much waste, gas grills do demand your attention just in case of a technical hitch.

Are Comfortable to Use

Charcoal grills come in with a series of labor demands beginning with the purchasing of fuel igniting it. Interestingly, most of the population, especially the younger generation, has not interacted with the charcoal system.

It, therefore, becomes difficult to convince such people on the essence of such grills. However much pressure you get from others, go for makes that are comfortable with you and avoid carbon at all costs.

Don’t be fooled by a cheap price that may end up costing you a fortune in the long run. After all, gas grills are convenient, easy, and comfortable to operate. You don’t have to do it from the outside like in the case of charcoal grillers.

Gas Grills Cook Almost Everything

The secret to effective cooking is regulating heat and temperature. This is something that gas grills have meaning it is more than possible to cook every meal to personal tastes.

In charcoal grills, it takes effort to lower the temperature, which may lead to the burning of some foods. The wide range of temperatures gives room for slow cooking which leads to better meals.

Grilling Has Health Benefits

Foods prepared on gas grillers are said to be low in calories and fat. Unlike grilled foods, fried food poses several health risks among them obesity and cardiovascular disorders. Interestingly, even foods that have low-fat content tend to rise when fried.

The good thing with gas grillers is that they suck excess fat, especially when slow-cooking. This eventually leads to lower calories, thus manageable weight.

Drawbacks

Takes Away the Flavor

Gas grilling is good, but when it comes to the original flavor, it is beaten by charcoal grills. This is brought about by the lack of much-needed smoke that adds a natural flavor.

There is hardly any smoke in a gas grill, and once you notice it, it is a red flag.

Health Risks

Grilled foods are suitable for the body, but the interaction between the food and heat may be dangerous. In most cases, meals that are grilled are proteins. High heat reacts with protein bonds, forming heterocyclic amines which are known carcinogens.

Additionally, it produces glycation products which in the long run cause conditions such as diabetes.

There is Limited Mobility

When families are grilling using charcoal, you will find them chat around the grill. This case doesn’t play out in gas grills since they do not generate enough heat for them.

Gas grills are, in most cases, fixed in one position meaning the grilling activities cannot be transferred outdoors. Gas is dangerous to deal with and will require minimal exposure.

Grilling is one of the cooking approaches that society is adopting at a high rate. Charcoal grills are no longer as common as they were initially and are being replaced by gas grills. Even as you use these gas grills, be cautious to avoid cases of fire and explosion.

Resources – The Spruce, Huffington Post, Hunker