A foodie is defined by Merriam Webster’s dictionary as “a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads.” This is not a new concept; for centuries people have been labeled gourmets, epicures, gastronomes, or gourmands.
As a culture, we are fascinated with fine foods, and we have so many images of food at our disposal. There are countless food blogs with every blogger striving to pique the interests most valuable to their readers.
As a chef-instructor, I have personally witnessed the age of the budding culinarian getting younger. As parents of homeschoolers, we encourage our youth to research and cook exotic cuisines, just as we feed our own appetites tasty morsels.
What has fueled this phenomenon? The glamorization of food is fueled by the internet, food challenge shows, and the availability of global ingredients. I homeschool two of our children, ages 6 and 8, and they are always jazzed when the new season of “Master Chef Junior” is advertised. They grab their little 5 inch red utility knives and firmly position their cutting boards for a kitchen showdown that consists of chopping, tasting, and presenting food to impress their family judges.
Over my years of teaching I have seen students perfect the Croquembouche, “the tower of cream puffs glued together with caramelized sugar,” or present an authentic Pho, “a Vietnamese flavorful broth or soup served with noodles, vegetables, fresh herbs, and shaved meats.”
I am encouraging parents to embrace this new trend; allow your students to enhance valuable life skills that will carry over to their college years and beyond. Everyone needs to eat, so why not add artistry and a variety of flavors to every meal!
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Jennifer Pasos has been teaching online for the past 4 years. She is a career chef/pastry chef with twenty plus years of experience in the hospitality industry. She received dual Associate degrees from Sullivan University in Louisville, KY. She is a mother of three children, two of which are homeschooled.
The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the author and should not be taken to represent the views of Excelsior Classes, LLC or the consortium of teachers.
