Tag: ottimmo international

In the culinary world, obtaining a Michelin Star is a demanding process of dedication and skill. The discussion herein is to educate you about what a Michelin Star is and the criteria in which a restaurant is judged to earn one. Have you ever dreamed of earning a Michelin Star? The professional chefs at OTTIMMO Culinary Academy will guide and train you to achieve your dreams and goals.  

What is a Michelin Star?

For those who are unfamiliar, a Michelin Star is a prestigious award given to restaurants for achieving culinary excellence. These guidelines were developed in 1900 by the Michelin tire company, and now they are a component of the Michelin Guide. Every year, this book is released for every major city in the world to identify the top eateries that meet their exacting standards. Let’s review the requirements to receive this award.

5 Criteria to Receive a Michelin Star

• High-Quality Ingredients
• Cooking Techniques and Flavours
• Menu is Original and Unique
• Value for Money 
• Maintaining High Standards

High-Quality Ingredients

This is probably the most obvious answer for achieving a Michelin Star, but high-quality ingredients are not only limited to expensive items. Chefs must source the best ingredients regardless of cost. This levels the playing field for any restaurant, despite the price. 

That means even a small food stall can earn a star. There are locations in Singapore selling street food that earned a star, where the cost starts at 23,000 Rupiah per plate. This gives hope for any business wanting to achieve this prestigious award.

Cooking Techniques and Flavours

Using ordinary ingredients combined with a masterful technique and thoughtful flavour fusion can elevate a dish. The chef can combine any combination of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty, or umami flavours on the menu, but they must work well together to provide the diner a memorable meal.

Menu is Original and Unique

The chef’s personality should be seen on the plate for Michelin inspectors. Showcase creativity and distinctive abilities for the cuisine. An important factor in deciding whether to give a restaurant a star is an ability to recognize its own personality.

Value for Money

This can be a tricky concept for a fine dining restaurant, but if the food, service, and ambience are impeccable, the diner will have a memorable experience. As long as the total fine dining package is flawless, then the value for money is worth it.

Maintaining High Standards

Consistency in carrying out the menu with perfect accuracy each and every time. Before granting the star, the Michelin Inspectors will randomly visit the restaurant six times to make sure the strict requirements are upheld. These restaurants are not permitted to have a bad day; the food presentation must be perfect even if the head chef is taking the day off.

Who are the Michelin Inspectors?

The Michelin Inspectors are sworn to secrecy, but it is known that they are veteran hospitality professionals who have been hired on as full-time inspectors. They travel 3 out of 4 weeks per month, tasting on average 240 restaurants a year. 

There are only 120 inspectors worldwide in 30 countries with the ability to award a Michelin Star. The inspectors drive up to 30,000 kilometres per year. This exclusive club is driven by a passion for flavourful food and a curiosity to discover the next great restaurant worthy of a Michelin Star.

Michelin Guide has Arrived in Canada

Fourteen Michelin Stars were given as a start to the celebration of the Michelin Guide’s inaugural publication in Toronto. The federal tourism minister said that this is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Toronto to be recognized as a global culinary destination.

Also, a restaurant with a French-inspired menu that has regularly been called one of the greatest in the world, is a notable recipient of the prize. Another honouree, Don Alfonso, which opened in 1890, was once awarded the top Italian eatery outside of Italy. Twelve establishments received one star, which is considered to be “very good.” The sole establishment to receive two stars is Sushi Masaki Saito, which has “outstanding cooking” and is “worth a detour,” according to the book.

As you can see, the Michelin Star is a prestigious award. You must possess outstanding abilities and expertise if you ever get the chance to cook at a one-to-three-star restaurant. Why not kick start your career journey at OTTIMMO International Academy? The chefs are top-notch, the facilities are first-rate, and they will teach you the skills you need to secure a Michelin Star for your future restaurant.

In this ever-changing, dynamic culinary world, the food business trends upcoming for 2023 are here and may surprise you. Keeping up with the trend is important because it will impact your business and you must keep informed of the expectations of your potential customers. Learning how to use these new ingredients and adapting your restaurant’s menu will contribute to your success. Everything you need to know is a part of the learning process at OTTIMMO Culinary Academy.

Online Sales

Since the COVID pandemic, businesses have either entirely closed down or stayed open by simply going digital. By creating an app or utilising a third-party software like Gojek or Grab, eateries may easily provide meals to customers without breaking social restrictions. It’s a really practical way to place food orders without having to stand in line, which is why this trend is still continuing strong. Additionally, people are still hesitant to dine in public and prefer the comfort of dining at home.

Restaurant Trends for 2023

• Vegan Menu
• Sustainability
• Smaller Menu
• Zero Alcohol Cocktails
• Food Trucks

Vegan Menu

The conversion to a vegan menu is a huge trend that is going to continue through 2023. People are globally aware of the environmental pressures that we are facing in society and want to convert to a plant-based diet. Some restaurants have completely switched their menus to vegan and are profiting from the benefits.

The seafood industry has been drastically depleted by 90% in recent studies due to overfishing, pollution, and rising ocean temperatures. Keeping this in mind, seafood alternatives are trending by using soybeans, peas, lentils, seaweed, mushrooms, and jackfruit. Creativity and chef artistry will go a long way in the vegan sector.

Sustainability

The eco-friendly trend is far from gone; if anything, it is evolving and gaining momentum. Simple steps can be taken to reduce plastic waste, like switching to paper or bamboo straws, as well as using biodegradable packaging for take away. Your customers will take notice and support your efforts.

Choosing locally sourced and naturally produced ingredients is an important choice for the supply chain to reduce fossil fuels for delivery and support your community. Choosing suppliers that support regenerative agriculture and renewable practices for the soil, water and animals will leave the earth in a better state for future generations.

Smaller Menu

Some restaurants have chosen to reduce their menu size in order to save money in response to rising energy costs. The chef and staff’s efficiency will grow as a result of this tactic. A streamlined assortment was also mentioned as making ordering simpler for clients.

Zero Alcohol Cocktails

The younger generation drinks less, according to a survey. Mocktails are still ordered because they are delicious, entertaining, and visually appealing, and they have no negative consequences on driving safety.

Food Trucks

The emergence of food trucks is in high demand, especially in North America. They are based outdoors and don’t break any social restrictions. They are now wildly popular and set up in the parking lots of closed-down businesses.

Trending Foods for 2023

• Vegetable Pasta
• Dates
• Free-Range Chickens
• Comfort Food
• Kelp and Avocado Oil

Vegetable Pasta

It’s all about healthier alternatives this year. By reducing your flour intake, you will keep yourself slimmer. Try substituting traditional pasta with zucchini, spaghetti squash, kelp, hearts of palm, or green bananas.

Dates

The current trend is to use dates as an alternative sweetener. They can be used as a syrup, paste or dehydrated. Try using it as an additive to your sauces or even mixing it into an energy ball.

Free Range Chickens

Ethically sourced chickens and eggs are important for diners wanting a better alternative to traditional factory farming. Advertising this fact will win over people seeking this option.

Comfort Food

This trend has risen in popularity by creating classic comfort food dishes such as macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, or beef stew and replicating the flavours without using animal products. What are the meals that remind you of your childhood? Try converting them into a vegan dish. 

Kelp and Avocado Oil

Kelp is a nutritious and versatile algae. It is being used for noodles or kelp chips. Avocado oil is increasingly becoming more mainstream; expect to see it being advertised with potato chips or mayonnaise. The health benefits include reduced cholesterol intake, vitamins such as beta-carotene and omega-three. Another benefit is that it has a neutral flavour and a higher smoke point.  

Being aware of the upcoming trends and adapting your restaurant’s practices and menu is highly important to compete in this business. Training is required to learn how to cook with these new ingredients and their complex flavour profiles. Learn more about culinary business and keep up with the trends at OTTIMMO Culinary Academy. 

To showcase the finest cuisine, the art of fine dining calls for the strictest attention to plating and detail along with precise cooking methods. Current trends call for styling a dish with modern cooking techniques and combining artistic flair for an elegant dining experience.

OTTIMMO Culinary Art Academy has the expertise and knowledge, with world-class equipment, and renowned master chefs, to refine our students’ skills to become masters in the culinary arts.

Here are some of the culinary skills needed as a chef.

Sous-vide

One of the key modern preparation skills that a chef should have in his arsenal to excite his diners is sous-vide. This method is a modern twist on the traditional slow cooker. The ingredients get vacuum sealed in a bag, then slow cooked in a water bath. The result is delicious rendered-down meat and soft vegetables that create a scrumptious sauce to enhance the flavour and texture. Accompany these beautiful flavours with a thoughtful plating presentation to make your customers return back for more.

Spiralizing

A preparation skill that is often overlooked but can be hailed as a gluten free pasta dish is spiralizing. This technique eliminates the use of pasta and replaces it by spiralizing your vegetables into a substitute for a healthy alternative. Use the traditional sauces for your vegetable pasta meals, considering the reduced calories and as a gluten free alternative for those with allergies. The stunning natural colours from the vegetables will surely entice your guests with visual brilliance.

Infusion

The average cook does not use this method very often. The method of infusion, when used thoughtfully, can add a dimension of flavour. To separate the flavour from an item, steep it in hot liquid. It is typically added into the pressure cooker to infuse a meal. Garlic, chilies or black pepper are common spices, but lemon is also a great taste to utilize. Use these flavours in your cooking oils or in a variety of condiments. It can garnish your plate to add an artful touch.  A simple approach that is loved by the culinary world when used skillfully. 

The new age of fine dining has introduced the artful technique of replicating celebrity faces within the dish. This is definitely for those with a finer touch to detail. Consider using the pasta as hair, or brushing a sauce to create facial textures. It sounds like a radical idea but these methods are being used to create literal works of art. Impressing your guest with a beloved icon face will undoubtedly excite them.

“Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colours, there are only so many flavours – it’s how you combine them that sets you apart.” (Wolfgang Puck, Michelin Star Chef)

Consider this quote by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, there are literally millions of combinations to consider when combining ingredients with a plethora of styles and flavours. You are only limited by your own imagination and skills. Take the step to let OTTIMMO Culinary Arts Academy reveal the tricks and tips in creating beautiful dishes with high-quality ingredients. Be a master of culinary arts with theoretical knowledge and practical skills at OTTIMMO MasterGourmet Academy.

Culinary business opportunities in Indonesia are plentiful and dependent on current trends as led by public opinion and popularity. Good fortune will surely follow if you find a niche and a good marketing strategy for your business concept. OTTIMMO Culinary Academy in Surabaya can provide you with all of your knowledge and professional guidance. The chefs at OTTIMMO will refine your culinary skills and your education to help you with this big business decision.

The evolution and innovation of new styles and techniques are what make the culinary industry so exciting.  Indonesians love their spicy foods without a doubt and have no limit to the types of snacks that they eat at any time of day. The wonderful culture and diversity of people here allow for some of the best flavours and an abundance of choices for food. Let’s review some popular types of food to consider for opening a business.

Banana Nugget

A new craze that’s grabbing chefs’ attention is the banana nugget business. Similar to Pisang Goreng, but prepared differently, these tasty treats are made with sweet bananas that get covered in flour and breadcrumbs, then fried until a little dry. Topped with a variety of flavours like chocolate, cheese, green tea, or Ovaltine among an assortment of others. The result is sweet, crunchy, with melted topping which is just perfect for dessert lovers.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki, originally from Japan, has been adopted by Indonesians and is presented with a twist. The traditional flavour is supposed to be stuffed with octopus, but here in Indonesia, the ingredient used is a different variety such as meatballs, sausage, chicken and cheese. These small snacks, approximately 3-5 cm, made from wheat flour, are fried in a pan with several semi-circle balls and flipped using chopsticks.

Martabak

Martabak is a traditional Indonesian street food that comes sweet and savoury. The savoury one is made with a thinly stretched wheat dough that is overlaid and gathered onto an egg and minced meat filling. The filling consists of egg, shallot onions, coriander, and added meat minced chicken or beef. For the sweet one, it is made with a batter that is filled with butter, chocolate sprinkles, freshly grated cheese, a drizzle of condensed milk, and peanut and sesame seeds added on top.

Now that you have a few great ideas for the types of food to sell, let’s review some business strategies on how to sell it. A new method for having your food available to a larger audience is having a takeout menu available on Grab or Gojek. From the comfort of their home, customers can order your delicious food.

How about using a food kiosk cart? That’s a cheap and easy method to transport your food and to have it available for the public in a busy location. A food truck is a really convenient way of transporting your business anywhere, and it allows you to bring a wider variety of cooking methods and tools altogether. Don’t forget to share your location on social media to let your customers know where you’ll be.

You don’t necessarily need a restaurant to supply food. Consider a hot trend on how to make a considerably good income by selling baby food.  The examples used here are a sample of the wealth of food inspiration to create memorable meals for the culinary business opportunities available here in Indonesia. Become a foodpreneur through mentorship and teachings at OTTIMMO Culinary Academy in Surabaya. Learn how to create a business plan in order to secure funding. Choose your suppliers for fresh local produce. Get the government licensing, hire employees, advertise, and learn all of this invaluable knowledge as well as the hands-on kitchen skills with OTTIMMO. Discover more business ideas at OTTIMMO MasterGourmet Academy.

The art of food presentation is almost as important as the food preparation itself. Creativity can shine through, but it must work harmoniously with the dish and flavours. OTTIMMO has mastered this skill and will share its trade secrets with talented students who seek the knowledge and have the willingness to excel in this ever-evolving industry. 

The technique of garnishing and plating: pairing the flavours and ingredients into perfect plates. The visual appeal will impress and tantalise the imagination of the diner, making it Instagram-worthy to showcase your talent and skill, not to mention bring customers to your restaurant.

Let’s start with some basic techniques and ideas that will give you some inspiration and motivation on how to make a beautiful plate that will convince your guest it tastes superb before it even touches their lips. 

1. Food Presentation: The Smear

The first style to review is the smear. Using a filled squeeze bottle of your delicious sauce, make a circular portion on the plate, then take a spoon, starting in the middle of the puddle and pushing it out to make a tail-like imprint. Voila, not that hard for a beginner.

2. Food Presentation: The Swirl

The second style, which requires a little more finesse, is the swirl. To achieve this effect, you will need to use a Lazy Susan or a cake spinner. With your plate spinning, use the squeeze bottle and pour out a line to create your design. Multiple sauces can be used in layers for intermediate difficulty and skill.

3. Food Presentation: The Stencil

The following technique uses spices powder for the stencil. You will need a fresh wall stencil and a powdered spice such as paprika, cinnamon, or cocoa. Place the stencil in the chosen space and sprinkle the powder. This is best used on a flat no-lip plate or platter in the unused area. It is a beautiful, simple design, guaranteed to impress.

4. Food Presentation: Graining

Now let’s try looking at a style that requires more of an expert touch, we call this graining. The tools needed are a food-safe paintbrush, a flat serving dish, dulce de leche, and chocolate sauce. Squeeze both sauces onto the dish, interchanging between colours, then use the paintbrush and pull down to create a wood grain effect in the sauce. For additional detail, use a graining comb, capture the imagination of the diner and leave a lasting impression for the final dessert course. 

Learn from The Expert

Chef Gordon Ramsay has dazzled the culinary world for decades. Let’s review one of his dishes at his famous London Maze Grill Restaurant. It’s called Sashimi on Ice, he uses 3 cuts of fish: 7 ounces each of sushi-grade tuna loin, butter fish fillet, and salmon fillet. Trim each piece into a perfect rectangle approximately 60 mm wide. Set a bamboo mat over a bowl of crushed ice. Add lemon and lime slices and shiso. Position the fish on the mat and garnish with the kiku flower. What an absolutely visually stunning presentation that will make your mouth water.

These are just some examples of the importance of food presentation and garnishing techniques used by world-class chefs. The OTTIMMO culinary academy will refine your skills through theory and hands-on training to enable the student to create their own masterpiece. No matter what your background, the main ingredients for cooking are passion and love of food. Come and join us today at OTTIMMO MasterGourmet Academy to upgrade your cooking proficiency.

The culinary arts are an exciting career path to choose if you are passionate about food and have a creative edge, along with good attention to detail. It truly is a dynamic career path. Chefs are often praised and held in high regard and can be financially successful if you are willing to dedicate your efforts to the craft. Refine your skills and culinary education at OTTIMMO Culinary Academy, take out the guesswork; and learn the science behind the food. There are many unknown factors within the culinary business that the professionals at OTTIMMO will teach you with on-the-job training.

Why choose a culinary arts career?

How about the high demand for job opportunities? The food industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world. There is a constant influx of employment postings for the tourism industry, on cruise ships, at resorts, theme parks, fine dining, personal chefs, and the list goes on.

Another reason is that it is ever-evolving and constantly changing. That said, you will never get bored because there is always something new happening. Menus are constantly changing due to seasonal ingredients, customer allergies, and the constant learning of new items and skills that will enhance your portfolio.

You can work around the world. The high demand for certified chefs can bring you to your desired vacation locations or favourite cities. Try your success in Paris by cooking French cuisine, or snowboarding in the mountains during your time off in the fancy European ski resorts.

Things To Keep in Mind

Before you can reap the benefits of becoming a professional chef, you must realise that there is a lot of hard work involved in climbing this competitive ladder. The hours are long and you will not have much social life because you will likely work evenings, weekends, and holidays. It is possible to get a 9-5 job but it’s not very common unless you work in a corporate setting.

This is a physically demanding job. Sometimes you may be stuck in a small kitchen with no proper ventilation. It can get extremely hot in the kitchen, and you must be able to be on your feet for many hours. Be aware that not everyone can achieve high food standards and work a rigorous, busy shift. That is why being well organised and having a good work ethic are so important in the kitchen.

Start Your Culinary Career

The long-term career opportunities are endless. As you climb toward the top of the ladder, there are bountiful career choices for management and or financial investment into new restaurants. Whether you love to travel or have a business partnership, it is truly a dynamic and exciting career choice. The hype of being a chef artist and having a culinary business is at an all-time high. People watch cooking competition shows, or learn recipes on YouTube, and want to be chefs. Come to OTTIMMO Culinary Academy in Surabaya to begin your training and immerse yourself in the world of culinary arts.

Third year students always get a beverage class, there is a coffee and wine class before they do the internship program.

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On September 27th we started our drink class by giving material about coffee. Our students took us to a coffee plantation in Tutur village, Pasuruan, where they saw and learned about different types of coffee and how to process them from the plant, picking, peeling the coffee beans, selecting the best coffee beans and roasting.

After that in the first week of October they took a coffee class material class, the material was brought by a professional institution, namely Cattura, in that class they learned about cupping, in that class they were taught how to observe the taste of coffee first when it entered the cup, then proceed to manual brewing, in this class they learned how to brew coffee manually, without using an espresso machine and so on but requires special filter paper. After that, it was continued with roasting practice, in this coffee roasting students were taught how to remove water from coffee, dry and develop coffee beans, reduce the weight of the coffee aroma, and after that there was a latte class, in this latte art class students were taught how to decorate coffee beautifully.

The coffee class ends with a competency test, with the aim of measuring the extent to which students understand the material that has been delivered for 3 weeks.

Attending a culinary arts program will allow you to learn the skills and knowledge that are required of a chef in the kitchen, which includes not only knowing how to cook but also how to create new dishes, how to keep the kitchen safe, how to run the kitchen efficiently and more.

Studying the culinary arts can help improve your life in many ways, including allowing you to improve the lives of the people you cook for as well. The following are just a few of the reasons why you should study the culinary arts:

1. A variety of career opportunities

There are a broad range of opportunities within the culinary arts fields. Career paths range from members of the preparation staff to head chef. Culinary arts training can provide the skills you need to safely prepare food and present it promptly in a visually pleasing way. With further education, you can even specialize in a specific area of the culinary arts, such as pastries. To become a chef, you could work your way up as you gain more experience. With a culinary arts education, you have the ability to start in professional environments and advance your career further.

2. Hands-on training

A culinary arts program will help prepare you for food safety, professionalism, entrepreneurship, and ethical practices. At OTTIMMO International, you will also get knowledge about food sanitation, cost control, entrepreneurship, wine, coffee, and many others along with learning how to cook in a variety of distinct and creative ways.

3. Try new flavors

An education in culinary school can give you the opportunity to try new flavors and experiment with the creation of dishes. You will be educated in flavor pairings and profiles that will give you the foundation and the potential needed to create culinary masterpieces.

4. Healthy lifestyle

Good culinary arts programs will teach you about nutrition. Many chefs these days have emphasized the importance of creating delicious dishes that are actually healthy in order to promote nutrition to their customers. This is the reason why the restaurants that offer vegan or plant based menus are getting popular.

5. Have the chance to travel the world

One of the advantages of going to a good culinary arts school is the opportunity to travel the world. Traveling the world will provide some enlightening experiences that will help to shape your view of life as well as your thoughts about food. OTTIMMO International will give you a chance to do an internship abroad, like to Europe, Asia, USA and Australia.*

OTTIMMO — Ottimmo International has a commitment to become an open college for anyone. The best culinary academy in Indonesia students come from various backgrounds and areas.

Now Ottimmo is more open with the acceptance of students with special needs, in accordance with the mandate of Pendidikan Tinggi (Dikti). Starting in the academic year 2019-2020 there are already some students with special needs who are studying by taking Diploma 3.

In accordance with Government Law number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System, inclusive education for persons with special needs must be applied in university. This system adopts an international education system, that is, there is no difference for people with disabilities.

Ottimmo International Director Zaldy Iskandar said, Ottimmo is very open to anyone from anywhere, including students with special needs. The instructors at Ottimmo, both chefs and lecturers, and also the staffs, will do their best to provide assistance to them.

“The modern education system no longer distinguishes students with special needs. They are also entitled to vocational education, including Ottimmo International culinary academy. “However, before they enrol, we need to see whether the students with special needs are able to accept lecture material, especially in the kitchen,” explained Zaldy Iskandar.

Zaldy admitted, the challenge of accepting students with special needs was clearly not light, especially Ottimmo is a campus with more practical lecture material. But he was very optimistic that the chefs and teachers could provide assistance very well.

“During the last accreditation visitation by Dikti, it was also emphasized that Ottimmo be open to students with special needs. We are happy because starting in the academic year 2019-2020 there are already students with special needs who study at Ottimmo. Of course I hope they will succeed in the culinary field,” he said.*

OTTIMMO – For the first time, Ottimmo International joined the 2019 International Community Service Program (ICSP). In collaboration with Petra Christian University (UK) and the Al Wali Foundation from the Netherlands, ICSP 2019 was held in Dusun Parang, Parang Village, Kediri Regency.

In the event which was held from July 16, 2019 to August 5, 2019, Ottimmo International was involved in various activities there. These activities include Dental Care for kindergarten, elementary school students and public, Nutrition Class, Cooking Demonstration, Water Projects, Waste Projects, Improvement of Facilities in the village and others.

ICSP 2019 participants were 15 dentist students from the Netherlands, six students from UK Petra, and three from Ottimmo International. They lived in the homes of Dusun Parang residents during ICSP, so they could feel the real village atmosphere.

Ottimmo sent three representatives, Reyhan Dhira representing students, Yasin Karyono as student affairs representative, and Kukuh Setyawan from public relations. It is expected that for ICSP 2020 student involvement will increase later.

“For the first involvement in this ICSP, Ottimmo can only send one student. In the future, we hope that more students will be involved because this program is very important and gives students good experience in community service,” explained Yasin Karyono, Ottimmo International Student Affairs.

Special activities held by Ottimmo are the Nutrition Class and Cooking Demo. “We provide an understanding of nutrition and processed food by using ingredients that are easily found in Parang,” explained Heni Adianata, a lecturer at Ottimmo International.

Meanwhile, Al Wali Foundation representative Cigdem Demir said that his party was very happy with Ottimmo’s involvement in the 2019 ICSP. “The existence of Ottimmo as a culinary academy provides a new atmosphere for ICSP, especially with programs related to food and nutrition which are very important for rural communities,” said Cigdem.*