International Chef Day is celebrated worldwide on October 20 each year. This day honors chefs and promotes healthy eating. Each year, a theme is chosen for the day. In 2020, the theme was “Healthy Food for the Future,” which was also used in 2021 with a stronger emphasis on sustainability and creating a healthy environment for future generations. Dr. Bill Gallagher, a famous master chef and former president of the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs), started International Chefs Day in 2004.
History of International Chef Day
Chefs have been important to society for a long time because food is a basic need and has been experimented with for thousands of years.
The earliest known cookbook was written in the first century A.D. by a Roman named Marcus Apicius. His book, called “Apicius” or “The Art of Cooking,” included over 400 recipes, and he traveled far to find the right ingredients.
Moreover, in 1765, A. Boulanger opened the first business in Paris which was called a restaurant. The sign on his door read ‘restoratives,’ or ‘restaurants,’ which referred to the soups and broths offered on the menu. Over time, the word ‘restaurant’ came to mean a public place where people eat.
Furthermore, in 1809, French chef Alexis Soyer became a notable cook in England by creating affordable and nutritious meals for the poor and working class, particularly during the Irish potato famine of 1845-1849. He also designed a portable stove, known as the ‘Soyer Stove,’ for British soldiers during the Crimean War.
Similarly, in the 1870s, French chef Auguste Escoffier developed the brigade system, which streamlined kitchen operations by assigning specific tasks to each person, similar to a military hierarchy.
This system had a head chef overseeing the kitchen, with a sous chef and other roles beneath them. Escoffier’s book, “Le Guide Culinaire,” remains in print and is still used in culinary education because of its importance.
| First Century A.D. (The First Cookbook is Written) | Roman gourmet Marcus Apicius writes the world’s first cookbook comprising over 400 recipes. |
| 1765 (A. Boulanger Opens the First Restaurant) | He named his shop ‘restoratives’ or ‘restaurant’ because he believed his soups and broths could “restore life.” |
| 1846 (Auguste Escoffier Establishes the Brigade System) | He simplifies kitchen dynamics to reduce work hours for cooks and delegate tasks effectively. |
| 1847 (Alexis Soyer’s Soup Kitchens) | French chef Alexis Soyer’s ‘famine soup’ provided nourishment to thousands of the Irish poor during the Great Irish Famine. |
5 Interesting Facts About Chefs and the Culinary Arts
- The Chef’s Hat Code: The folds in a chef’s hat indicate the number of different ways the chef can cook an egg.
- Italy’s First Pizza Delivery: In 1889, the first pizza delivery was made to the Italian king and queen by a renowned pizza chef.
- Michelin Guide Origins: The “Michelin Guide,” known for awarding up to three stars to top restaurants, was created by Michelin Tires as a promotional tool to sell more tires.
- Potato Chip Origin: In 1853, a chef made potato chips as a prank to appease a customer who kept returning his fried potatoes for being too thick. The thin, extra-salty chips unexpectedly became a popular dish.
- Anthony Bourdain’s Knife: Chef Anthony Bourdain received a custom kitchen knife from master bladesmith Bob Kramer, who crafted it using steel and meteorite.
Conclusion
In conclusion, International Chef Day celebrated on October 20 each year, serves as a global tribute to the vital role chefs play in shaping our culinary experiences and promoting healthy eating. From the earliest days of Roman cookbooks to the innovative culinary contributions of figures like Alexis Soyer and Auguste Escoffier, the history of cooking is rich with tradition and evolution.
Celebrating this day not only acknowledges the artistry and skill of chefs but also highlights the importance of sustainability and future-focused food practices. As we honor these culinary professionals, we are reminded of the profound impact they have on our lives, from the humble origins of the restaurant to the modern achievements in gastronomy.
Frequently Ask Question
Who started International Chef Day?
International Chef Day was started by Dr. Bill Gallagher, a renowned master chef and former president of the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs), in 2004.
What was the theme for International Chef Day in 2020 and 2021?
The theme for International Chef Day in both 2020 and 2021 was “Healthy Food for the Future,” focusing on sustainability and creating a healthy environment for future generations.
What is the history behind the concept of a restaurant?
The concept of a restaurant originated in 1765 when A. Boulanger opened the first establishment in Paris. He offered soups and broths, with the sign on his door reading ‘restoratives’ or ‘restaurants.’ The term ‘restaurant’ eventually came to signify a public place where people could eat.
Who was Alexis Soyer and what were his contributions?
Alexis Soyer was a French chef known for creating affordable and nutritious meals for the poor during the Irish potato famine of 1845-1849. He also designed the ‘Soyer Stove,’ a portable stove for British soldiers during the Crimean War.
What is the brigade system introduced by Auguste Escoffier?
The brigade system, developed by French chef Auguste Escoffier in the 1870s, is a kitchen management system that assigns specific tasks to each person in the kitchen, similar to a military hierarchy. It includes roles such as head chef and sous chef, streamlining kitchen operations.
What historical event is associated with the origin of pizza delivery?
In 1889, the first pizza delivery was made to the Italian king and queen by a renowned pizza chef, marking an important milestone in the history of pizza.
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