Friday, December 31, 2010

Top 10 Industry Organizations in Culinary

There are many different culinary industry associations for all types of chefs and for the food service world in general. These culinary organizations can serve as great resources whether you are a professional chef, a head chef, an aspiring chef, a culinary student or any other player in the gastronomic industry. The following are considered to be the top 10 culinary organizations in food-industry circles:
  1. The American Institute of Wine & Food: This educational nonprofit organization is dedicated to the pleasures, benefits and traditions of the table, with 31 chapters in the U.S. as well as a chapter in France.
  2. Chefs Collaborative: A national network of more than 1,000 food community members supporting sustainable cuisine through local, seasonal and artisanal cooking.
  3. International Association of Culinary Professionals: This 30-year-old group is one of the largest culinary industry associations, with more than 4,000 members in 32 countries. It is a nonprofit professional association that provides continuing education and professional development and sponsors the annual IACP Cookbook Awards, among other things.
  4. The James Beard Foundation: This nonprofit organization was founded in 1985 on Julia Child's suggestion to espouse the philosophy, ideals and practices of James Beard, the father of American gastronomy.
  5. National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc: The NASFT has 19,000 members including manufacturers, distributors, importers, brokers, foreign government offices and other suppliers of specialty foods.
  6. National Restaurant Association: This is the definitive membership-based business association in the restaurant industry with more than 30,000 members representing more than 175,000 restaurants since 1923.
  7. New York Women's Culinary Alliance: The NYWCA promotes cooperation and education among women in the food industry.
  8. Roundtable for Women in Foodservice: For 17 years the RWF has organized foodservice professionals while providing educational, mentoring and networking opportunities to enhance the development and visibility of women. There are 10 U.S. chapters.
  9. Slow Food: This is the largest of all the culinary organizations in the world. They are committed to supporting and promoting quality food and beverage patrimony.
  10. Women Chefs & Restaurateurs: The WRC promotes the education and advancement of women in the restaurant industry, as well as the betterment of the industry as a whole.
Want to explore career in culinary art, food service management and as chef?
CulinarySchoolsU.com offers information about best culinary school and culinary class.