International Chefs Day 2023: Significance, Wishes, How to Celebrate with Kids, and Tips to Improve Cooking

International Chefs Day is marked on October 20 each year all around the world. It’s a special day to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of chefs and to promote the importance of eating healthy food. Every year, there’s a specific theme for this day and the theme for this year is ‘Growing Great Chefs’, which highlights the idea of mentoring and nurturing young culinary talents.

Chefs should be recognised for the care and creativity they put into our meals and without them, life would be pretty dull. Dr Bill Gallagher, a well-known master chef and former president of the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs), founded International Chefs Day in 2004.

International Chefs Day History

Chefs have always had a significant role in society. Food is a fundamental necessity and people have been experimenting with it for centuries. In the first century AD, a Roman gourmet named Marcus Apicius wrote the world’s very first cookbook, named ‘Apicius’ or ‘The Art of Cooking’. This cookbook contained over 400 recipes and Marcus even went to great lengths to ensure the quality and safety of the ingredients he used.

Moving ahead to 1765, a person named A Boulanger opened the very first eating joint in Paris and named it ‘Restaurant’. Interestingly, this term later evolved to mean a ‘public eating place’. Hence, chefs and culinary pioneers have a long history of shaping the way we eat and enjoy food.

International Chefs Day: Significance

International Chefs Day is a special occasion to show our gratitude to chefs everywhere. We recognise the hard work and dedication they put into their craft. But it’s not just about professional chefs, it’s also about the chef in each of us.

As kids, many of us have tried our hand at cooking for our families or ourselves. This day is a reminder that we all have a little chef inside us and we can have fun experimenting in the kitchen. It’s also a gentle nudge to remember the importance of incorporating healthy eating habits into our daily routines.

International Chefs Day 2023: Wishes

Warm wishes on International Chefs Day to you. You make an amazing chef because you keep experimenting with your food to treat us with something new.

Anyone in this world can cook because you are not born with it but you learn it. Warm greetings on World Chefs Day.

Being a chef is all about being creative with the food you cook and redefining your dishes in a better way. Wishing you a very Happy Chefs Day.

Cooking is an art and not everyone is gifted with it but everyone has the potential to learn it. A very Happy Chefs Day to you.

On the occasion of Chefs Day, wishing you all the success and prosperity in your culinary skills. May you keep impressing people with your cooking.

International Chefs Day 2023: Quotes

1. “Chefs don’t make mistakes; they make new dishes.” – Elizabeth Briggs.
2. “Cook more often. Don’t study; just cook.” – Masaharu Morimoto.
3. “Remember, it is never the knife’s fault.” – Daniel Boulud.
4. “It’s okay to play with your food.” – Emeril Lagasse.

How to celebrate with kids

1. BakingMaking healthy treats is a fun way to reduce sugar intake while keeping kids happy. Whether it’s wholemeal scones or breakfast muffins, simple baking can involve kids in the kitchen. Kids enjoy measuring ingredients, and even melting butter can be a little science experiment for them.
2. Cooking WorkshopPlan a cooking workshop where kids can learn to prepare an easy dish. Pick a recipe suitable for children and let them get hands-on experience in the kitchen.
3. Food ArtInspire kids to be creative with food. Offer colourful fruits, vegetables and other ingredients and let them craft food art or edible sculptures.
4. Food ScienceShare the science of cooking with kids. Explain how ingredients mix, how heat transforms food and the roles different ingredients play in recipes.

Chef-Recommended Ways to Improve Cooking

1. Add Salt And Seasoning While CookingSalt is a crucial part of any dish and getting it right is key to a successful meal. The common question is when to add salt, during or after cooking. According to Chef Vaibhav Bhargava from CHO New Delhi as quoted by NDTV, it’s essential to add salt while the dish is cooking, not after. Sprinkle a bit of salt as you go along while the food is still cooking. Also, remember to taste and adjust the seasoning as you progress. If you save salt until the end, it won’t have the same ability to enhance and deepen the flavours.
2. Prep In AdvanceCelebrity chef Kishwar Chowdhury suggests that preparing your meals in advance is a smart way to keep your kitchen organised for the whole week.
3. Use Fresh IngredientsIt’s not just about how you cook; the quality of what you cook matters too. According to celebrity chef Jason DeSouza, never skimp on the quality of ingredients. Using the freshest and finest ingredients will enhance your cooking and dining experience.
4. Control TemperatureTemperature is a crucial factor in the cooking process. As Chef Bhargava advises, you can usually fix undercooked food, but there’s no turning back once it’s overcooked. So, when you’re using ovens or air fryers, pay close attention to temperature control to get your dishes just right.