Chefs & Foodservice

We present an outline of the Mediterranean diet and examine recent sources and studies examining its effectiveness in terms of treating diet-related illnesses. We discuss the nine points of the Mediterranean diet and explore the ways the Mediterranean diet can be translated for the American kitchen using familiar recipes.

This module explores each of the three macronutrients in depth; from food sources to structure and function to contribution to health. Attendees will start the exploration of flavor and flavor building.

This module focuses on individual vitamins and key minerals that are essential for good growth, maintenance, and repair of the body. Participants will learn the food sources for vitamins and minerals and how best to preserve them while preparing recipes. Particular focus will be on sodium's role in flavor development and perception. In the kitchen we will explore flavor building and balancing techniques that do not rely on salt.

This module introduces participants to the gastrointestinal tract, its organs and their key functions. We also follow a meal from mouth to anus to see how the nutrients are digested, absorbed, and metabolized.

This module looks at the science of cooking and ingredient functions. Participants will gain an understanding of how to determine appropriate ingredient substitutions based on functions and modification goals without a loss in product quality, texture, or taste.

This module describes how including more plants in a dish can directly impact both customer satisfaction and the bottom line. We will discuss calorie density and its impact on portion size; nutrient density and its impact on health, satiety, and portion size; and explore the impact of plant-forward cuisine on ecology/global warming. In the kitchen we will prepare multiple versions of familiar recipes to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.

In this module attendees will learn about the relationship between foods, advanced glycation end products, free radicals, and inflammation. We will review the evidence of the role of inflammation in heart disease, stroke, COPD, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and kidney failure, as well as the inflammatory pathways and where food fits in it. We will explore the role of different cooking techniques on the development of the advanced glycation end products and free radicals and describe alternate cooking methods.

Module 4 Gastrointestinal Tract: Digestion, Absorption and Metabolism This module introduces participants to the gastrointestinal tract, its organs and their key functions. We also follow a meal from mouth to anus to see how the nutrients are digested, absorbed, and metabolized.  A thorough exploration of whole grains including lesser used varieties and cooking techniques.

Module 2 Macronutrients This module explores each of the three macronutrients in depth; from food sources to structure and function to contribution to health. An exploration of the 5 basic components of taste and how a chef can use the knowledge gained to maximize flavor.