Essays

DAMIAN REID, Barbadian
Starwood Professional Devleopment Scholar 2009
The course Healthy Cooking Techniques at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) was a very interesting and unique experience. At CIA, I had the opportunity to learn from and work with Master Chef Michael Stivichi, who proved to be an excellent teacher.

He taught different ways to cook various animal proteins in a more nutritious way with the same great flavour. We also learnt how to combine different plant sources to make whole proteins, vegetarian’s dishes and healthy dessert. I was exposed to a variety of herbs, spices, grains and legumes which I never had the opportunity or experience to work with before. I learnt guidelines in preparing food for guest with special requirements such as Celiac Disease, Hypertension and Diabetes to name a few.

With the knowledge gained I am now able to offer guest with health complications and those who are health conscious, more selections of choice than before.

This experience helped me to expand my creativity in preparing vegetarian dishes which seems to be lacking on an average menu. I am currently passing on information and eagerly sharing the knowledge with my co-workers.

The experience at CIA was very inspirational and helped open yet another avenue which I can specialize in the long, hence giving Hilton and Barbados another area which can be developed as another market and I am eternally and sincerely grateful for the opportunity which was presented to me by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation and Starwood




Written by
Damian Reid

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