Culinary Trends There are many different types of trends within the culinary field. One such trend is known as Culinary sessions which are performed by companies such as the Secret Chef. As an intern at the secret chef, responsibilities include prepping the food and portioning it out for individuals who are attending culinary sessions each night. Interns never prep anything more than 24 hours before a session. The purpose of this discussion is to describe current trends in the culinary field and the ways in which those trends may effect the current internship of the writer.

The Secret Chef

Secret Chef allows customers to prep several meals at one time and take these meals home to prepare as the customers wish. This particular company was designed to assist busy people who may not have time to prepare meals every night. With this program people sign up to participate. According to Secret Chef

All culinary sessions take place at The Secret Chef kitchen, under the direction of our staff. Sessions last approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the number of meals you register for (minimum number of meals you can register for is 6, maximum is 12). Meals are packaged in either foil pans or freezer bags provided by The Secret Chef. We also provide boxes to carry the meals home (Secret Chef)."

According to the official website for the company, participants have a choice concerning the number of meals they can make during each session. According to the secret Chef website each meal serves 4-6 individuals. The website also explains that the cost of each meal is $24, which is less money than many fast-food or takeout restaurants.

The company is also unique in that customers are allowed to simply pick up prepped meals if they cannot come to a culinary session. To do this customers simply have to call their local Secret Chef and order the weekly 6 to 12 meals to be picked up. The chefs will prepare the meals for the customers. This particular service is not free. It will cost customers $35 for...

In addition pickup is only available at very specific times and customers must choose a date and time for pickup and complete a registration form in order to use this service. For most locations Saturday pickup is preferred however customers can call to make other arrangements if they cannot pickup items on a Saturday.
This type of program is beneficial because it is less expensive and the food choices are often healthier. Meals are healthier because customers can control the ingredients such as salt and fat content. In addition, customers can make substitutions that are more consistent with a healthy diet.

Future Trends

Although the secret chef is a relatively new trend, there are some even newer trends that may affect the internship site. One such trend is towards advanced cooking systems. According to one article things such as better pasteurization and enhanced quality of ingredients will be the trend of the future. The article contends that these advanced cooking systems lead to shorter preparation times which will also be imperative in the future.

The author further suggests that in the future there will also be a more significant demand from consumers for organic foods. The article explains

The food technologists of the world will continue to modify flavors to lower costs. But consumers will demand integrity of ingredients on all level, which will be chef driven for sure...the trend will lead toward more vegetables, meat alternatives and combination of meat and plant-based foods in the same product, once the general public catches on to the health benefits of soy and the amount of calories in a single portion of beef or pork. Look for breakthroughs in prepared fish for the home as well, once FDA develops a safe standard for retail (Interview with Chef Christopher Graham).

As it pertains to this particular trend and interning at Secret Chef, there may definitely be an impact. Advanced food systems may eliminate the need for interns in certain positions…