Vegetarian Culinary Institute
Every year, many chefs both professional and aspiring enroll in culinary schools. When it comes to culinary institutes, not all are created equal. And if you are interested in a vegetarian culinary institute or a vegan culinary institutes the differences are even greater.
This article will explore the basic differences between these two culinary art forms and will offer tips on how to find the best vegetarian culinary institute or vegan culinary institute for you.
Vegetarian Culinary Institute vs. Vegan Culinary Institute - What's The Difference?
In order to make a proper comparison between vegetarian culinary institutes and vegan culinary institutes; one has to understand the philosophy behind vegetarianism and veganism.
Basically as most of you know, vegetarians do not eat meat, fish or poultry. This is why specially cooking courses were developed at vegetarian culinary institutes. There are actually different types of vegetarianism as well. There are three types: lacto, the ovo and the lacto-ovo.
Lacto vegetarians do not eat meat, but also do not eat eggs. They do, however; consume dairy products and honey. Ovo vegetarians do not consume meat, but also do not consume any dairy products. Ovo vegetarians do, however; eat eggs and honey.
While the Lacto Ovo vegetarian does not eat meat, but does eat eggs and dairy. They basically do not eat anything that has a head or once had a pulse. So a vegetarian culinary institute can easily incorporate some cooking staples such as butter, milk or eggs.
Vegans, in addition to being vegetarian, conform to diet that do not include or use ANY animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps derived from animal products. This why vegan culinary institutes are in such high demand by chefs world wide.
Understanding the differences in the two dietary styles is a major point in understanding the differences between vegetarian culinary institutes and vegan culinary institutes.
A vegetarian culinary institute may have programs that are designed to focus almost entirely on organic cooking techniques, food selection, and emphasize a whole foods or raw food diet. The programs are typically centered on vegetarian cooking styles found across the globe. A vegetarian culinary institute may also have special programs that focus on schooling the vegan chef or offer courses as a type of mini vegan culinary institute.
What you want to focus on will determine which school you choose. Be sure to check to make sure the vegetarian culinary institute you choose places enough emphasis on what you are most interested in. If you are more interested in vegetarian cuisine of particular style or culture, you should look around to find a good vegetarian culinary school that matches your desires . If you want to specialize in becoming a vegan chef, you should find a school with a vegan chef certificate program or a vegan culinary institute.
While many regular culinary schools offer a vegetarian program, but there are few that actually offer true vegetarian and vegan chef certification. Research all available programs carefully before you make your decision. Also keep in mind what you are going to do with your new found cooking skills. If this is a personal interest you may want to look at some of the short programs, usually a few weeks or months, which are offered by a local vegetarian culinary institute or vegan culinary program.
