| Michael Chiarello also has a culinary degree.
Does it really matter whether one has gone to culinary school or not? I think years ago it mattered a great deal but in today's world, I don't think it does, at least in my opinion. Cooks like Paula and Rachael make homestyle meals and don't get into the haute cuisine area and don't really need one. They also have their own unique knife skills/techniques and it works just fine. The average viewer would have no problem following their lead. I think a good number of viewers who watch FN love to cook, probably have more than a basic knowledge of food prep, cooking terms, techniques and knife skills and instinctly know just looking at a recipe if it'll fly or not. Those viewers who are just learning to cook can tune into the PD and RR-type shows.
I guess what I'm trying to say is a degree would be necessary if you're opening a restaurant or appearing on Iron Chef and need that knowledge in order to be able to create. Other than that, to me, it's just a piece of paper.
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Jeanne |