Explore Alaska as a Culinary Student

Alaska is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world, and it is often chosen as a travel spot due to the remarkable climate and breathtaking scenery. Despite the cold weather, tourists often remark on the heritage of the area and the interesting history and lifestyle of the local residents. For this reason, many aspiring chefs opt to visit Alaska and attend culinary school. Whether you attend culinary arts school in Alaska or you just decide to dine your way through the state, this guide will help you to understand more about the incredible history and cuisine of Alaska today.

Fresh Seafood in Alaska

Perhaps the most famous food that is exported out of Alaska is king crab. These large crabs are significantly larger than those found elsewhere in North America, and they are actually among the largest and tastiest in the world. Restaurants in Alaska prepare king crab legs simply, using just lemon juice, butter and seasonings. Tourists are often shocked at the size of the legs, which can measure as much as eight inches around.

A single king crab is often cooked as the main entree for an entire family in Alaska. Both salmon and halibut fishing is also incredibly popular, and many local residents make their living thanks to this trade. Salmon is prepared in many different ways including smoked, cured, as raw sushi, salmon jerky and even sweet and salty salmon candies. Attending one of the many Alaska cooking schools will allow aspiring chefs to learn how to prepare delicious fresh seafood, an important skill to have in any kitchen.

Local Produce

Many individuals think of the cold weather in Alaska, along with images of snow covered mountain peaks, and mistakenly believe that there is no fresh produce to be found. However, that could not be further from the truth. Berries, in particular, are found in large amounts through the state and are harvested in the summer months. Wild blueberries, a smaller and sweeter variety of the traditional blueberry, are used in jams, pies, cakes and more. Other popular berries that are harvested include wild high bush cranberries, mossberries, lingonberries, watermelon berries and yellow salmonberries.

The Dining Scene in Alaska

Traditional residents of Alaska contribute significantly to the modern cuisine in the state, but large cities in Alaska are beginning to offer a number of different culinary styles for diners and students attending one of the culinary schools in Alaska. Immigrants from around the world have diversified the culinary scene within the state, particularly in the larger cities. Many of the culinary schools in the Alaska are located within a short distance from Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks or Kodiak. It is possible to find everything from Mexican food to Japanese sushi and even authentic German cuisine in these larger urban areas.

Cultural and Historical Influence on Cuisine

While the original influence on Alaskan cuisine would certainly start with the local Central Yupik and Inupiat people groups, many other immigrant groups have also left their mark on local cuisine. Traditional foods that are eaten today include roots boiled down in soups, fermented fish and even dried game like moose or caribou.

Career Opportunities in Alaska

Many aspiring chefs choose to attend Alaska culinary schools primarily because of the many opportunities to work as a chef in and around the state. With tourism being such a large part of the local economy, there are often head chef and sous chef positions available in the larger cities and post destinations. In addition, the large cruise ships that sail through Alaska regularly often require kitchen staff.

If you want to attend culinary school in a truly beautiful destination with a unique culinary heritage, then Alaska is the ideal spot.

When you’re ready to take action on your culinary dreams and study to become a chef, baker or hospitality manager, begin exploring your options at http://www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools.org.