Best Culinary Schools Guide

If food is your passion (a likely guess for those reading this blog), why limit it to a career? Your interest in all things culinary doesn’t have to stay in the kitchen, and a group of socially active chefs has created an organization to help anyone working in the food service industry get involved. Founded 15 years ago, the Chefs Collaborative has over 1,000 members nationwide, the majority of whom are chefs.

 

According to the organization’s mission statement, the Chefs Collaborative values local food in an effort to support a more sustainable food supply. An ambitious vision statement directs their activities:

“As a result of our work, every chef in the U.S.A. will be aware that food purchasing choices affect the environment and our communities.”

 

How do they hope to achieve such an idealistic and inspiring reality? Chefs Collaborative (CC) offers information about sourcing local ingredients and sponsors chef trainings (most recently in the Boston area) on topics such as how to break down a whole pig. In addition, CC is active in the Renew America’s Food Traditions (RAFT) coalition, to encourage members to use regional animal breeds and produce varieties in their kitchens. Finally, through a program called Seafood Solutions, CC educates chefs on the complex issues surrounding the fishing industry to help them make sustainable choices.

 

Interested in joining this high-minded group? Next month’s Earth Dinner, organized by CC and Organic Valley at participating restaurants around the country will be one opportunity to meet other culinary professionals working on these issues over a delicious and environmentally-friendly meal.