Culinary Art Academy: Preparing and Styling Fine Dining

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

sous vide cooking method

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

gluten free pasta dish

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

infusion cooking method

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: Be Unique

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

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

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

Savory 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.

Why Choose The Culinary Arts As A Career?

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.

Culinary Art as A Career

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.