Zoekresultaten

Molecular gastronomy: cuisine innovation or modern day alchemy?

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of molecular gastronomy by conducting empirical research focusing on renowned chefs. Design/methodology/approach: The approach taken is a literature review summarising past culinary innovations then the paper focuses on the origins and evolution of molecular gastronomy, followed by 18 phenomenological interviews with a snowball sample of world class chefs from across Europe. Findings: There is far greater confusion about what molecular gastronomy might be than is implied in previous studies. The term has become wrongly used to describe a possible culinary movement mainly as a result of media influence. Leading chefs, whose new restaurant concepts have become associated with it, reject the term. Research limitations/implications: With only 20 years of history molecular gastronomy is still a comparatively new phenomenon. This initial research presents a clear picture of its evolution so far and the increasing confusion the use of the term has created. It is still far too early to decide if these are heralding a new gastronomic movement. Practical implications: Although molecular gastronomy itself may not provide a foundation for a genuine and lasting development of cuisine it is generating fascination with the fundamental science and techniques of cuisine and showy culinary alchemy. As with nouvelle cuisine poor quality copycat chefs could bring into disrepute the reputation and practices of those who are at the vanguard of culinary and restaurant innovation. Originality/value: This paper is the first widespread primary study, across five countries, into recognised exceptional chefs' understanding of molecular gastronomy. It clarifies that molecular gastronomy was never intended to be the foundation of a culinary movement and identifies four key elements for the development of lasting cuisine movements and trends.

Reflecting on a phenomenological study of creativity and innovation in haute cuisine

Purpose: This paper aims to present and reflect on a phenomenological research process used to elucidate the nature of creativity and innovation in haute cuisine. Design/methodology/approach: In-depth unstructured interviews and field notes capturing subjective experiences were employed to elucidate the experiences of 18 top chefs from the UK, Spain, France, Austria and Germany with regards to creativity and innovation. Findings: The findings are twofold: first, an empirical sample finding is presented in order to contextualize the type of findings obtained; second, key methodological findings are presented explaining the process of elucidating the nature of creativity and innovation through iterative learning from the descriptions of the interviewees and the subjective experiences gathered. Research limitations/implications: The underlying phenomenological study is limited to male haute cuisine chefs in five European countries. Future research is planned including female and male chefs from other countries in order to learn whether similar empirical findings can be obtained. Practical implications: The paper presents a research process for elucidating cognitive and nebulous phenomena such as creativity and innovation to make them accessible to managers, researchers, students and policy makers. Originality/value: The findings explain the process of elucidating the nature of creativity and innovation through iterative learning from the descriptions of the interviewees and the subjective experiences gathered. Further conceptual and methodological development emerges from investigating interviewees representative of the notion of the extraordinary.

Food forest case study

Most beginning food forests face the following challenge: how do we get the harvest to the consumer? At food forest 't Mortelke they had the same question. The following research presents the answer to the following question: 'What are potential outlets for the harvest of Voedselbos 't Mortelke and how can these collaborations be realized?' The research provides more clarity on the needs of the market regarding potential collaborations with Voedselbos 't Mortelke. Interviews with interested parties (restaurants, country stores, organic supermarkets, individuals) revealed that the most appropriate form of cooperation with the food forest lies with fine-dining restaurants in the Eindhoven area. To initiate these collaborations an experimental phase is needed in which the chefs can get to know the products of the food forest. As a result of this research, several collaborations with restaurants have been initiated! Due to privacy reasons, certain parts of the research have been removed from the publication version.

Hubs and spokes: characteristics of career networks of Michelin-starred chefs

Innovation of extraordinary chefs: development process or systemic phenomenon?

A study into chefs' smoking behavior and the effect thereof on the amount of salt in restaurant dishes

More awareness is needed in food service and culinary schools for the effect of the chefs’ smoking behavior on their salt use. Smoking is known to affect taste perception. Restaurant dishes are often high in salt and smoking might play a role in this. We show that prevalence of smoking among Dutch chefs is above the population average. It seems that work pressure plays an important role in this high prevalence of smoking. Although not statistically significant, results do provide indications that smoking chefs use more salt as compared to non-smoking chefs. Thus, if chefs smoke less, this is not only beneficial for their own health, but it also has potential health effects for guests since reducing levels of salt in restaurant dishes can contribute to a lower risk of high blood pressure and related cardiovascular diseases.