Online Exclusive: Paring down tool kits

by Chef Educator Today staff

Proper instruction in the classroom relies not only on the instructor's ability to convey course material, but also on the quality of the knives and other tools used in the kitchen lab. Many cutlery companies offer services and resources to help you and your school pick the proper tools for your students to succeed. Here are a few worth honing in on.

Mercer Cutlery

Students with access to the best academic tools in their field have a proven advantage when it comes time to further their education or pursue a career. For the last 30 years, Mercer Cutlery's mission has been to help students achieve that professional edge. Let the sales team assist you in getting what you need quickly and within your budget. With more than 2,000 products--from chef's knifes to chocolate dipping forks--Mercer Cutlery will work with you to customize a set or package to suit your students' needs. Visit www.mercercutlery.com, call (800) 221-5202, or e-mail education@mercercutlery.com.

R.H. Forschner by Victorinox

To properly address cutlery needs, R.H. Forschner by Victorinox creates a custom experience for each client school. "We personally examine each culinary school’s needs on a case-by-case basis and make recommendations from there," said Tom Lawler, vice president of sales for the company. "We’re confident that once students use our cutlery, they will become fans of our brand throughout their careers." To better illuminate the company’s long history in the culinary arts field, R.H.Forschner by Victorinox plans to roll out significant marketing materials on supply programs to culinary schools in 2009. Visit www.rhforschner.com, or call (800) 243-4074.

Canada Cutlery Inc. (CCI)

CCI believes that you should feel 100-percent confident that the culinary kit you chose for your students is of unrivaled quality and value. The Superior Culinary Master brand consists of unparalleled, European-made knives and tools, crafted from the best European cutlery steel available. These tools are designed with ergonomic handles and extra-wide blades for safer and superior cutting performance. Visit www.canadacutlery.com or www.chef-tools-direct.com (for online purchasing), or call (800) 698-8277.

New cooking classes from Food Network and The Art Institute of Atlanta

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta and Food Network recently began to test a new series of cooking classes in Atlanta. The recreational classes and cuisine workshops, which are open to the greater Atlanta community, have thus far featured themes like "How To Boil Water," "Oktoberfest" and "Halloween."

The hands-on classes, geared toward cooks of all experience levels, offer tips and techniques from Food Network's behind-the-scenes team of experts at the Food Network Kitchens. Developed in conjunction with The Art Institute, these classes allow participants to learn what the pros know and to enjoy cooking. Other classes in the series will cover tailgating, healthy dinners, quick breads, an easy Italian dinner party, a Latin fiesta, traditional Southern cooking and more.

"It's an honor for The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta to host the first hands-on Food Network Cooking Classes through our community education department. These new classes offer the community an exciting way to experience Food Network while enjoying the use of our professional kitchens and expert instruction from chef instructors and alumni of our culinary arts degree programs," commented Janet S. Day, president of The Art Institute of Atlanta.

The classes will be held from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays at The Art Institute of Atlanta for $119 per class per person. For more information or to request a reservation, go to www.foodnetworkclasses.com.

L'Academie de Cuisine hosts fund-raiser for US team in 2009 Coupe du Monde

Since 1989, the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie (the World Pastry Cup) has honored the world's greatest pastry chefs. The bi-annual competition brings together 20 national teams from around the world—each composed of three top pastry chefs who join forces to compete against other countries in the fields of sugar, chocolate, ice sculpting and desserts.

In September, L'Academie de Cuisine, which offers programs designed for students who want a formal education in the culinary and pastry arts, hosted a fund-raiser gala at its professional culinary school for the 2009 Team USA, who will compete in the 20th-anniversary year of the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, France. Guests of the fund-raiser enjoyed chocolate and sugar demonstrations by the team; hors d'oeuvres and dinner with complementary wines; silent and live auctions of chocolate, knives, restaurant dinners, team memorabilia and a chance to watch Team USA in action! The 2009 Team USA members—Remy Funfrock, David Ramirez and Roy Pell, along with team captain and former gold medal winner En-Ming Hsu—regaled attendees with stories of past competitions and volunteered their services to produce pastries to accompany many of the live auction dinners.

In all, the evening's auctions raised over $25,000, far exceeding everyone's expectations. The guests and L'Academie de Cuisine were very excited to support the team in such a generous way.