A curriculum framework for continuing professional development in culinary studies

[摘要] Culinary studies is a relatively young and unfamiliar field of study which engages theapplication of life and natural sciences, business and technology in a food-specificenvironment. The growth in the demand for training, re-training and continuing professionaldevelopment in the culinary arts can be attributed to factors such as enhanced culinaryprogrammes at high school level, an increased level of education and expectation about foodin general, growth in culinary tourism and highly polished food magazines or otherpublications. The celebrity status of high-profile chefs and a stronger economy that enablesmore people to explore fine dining and gourmet food can be added to the list of factors thatinfluence the interest in culinary arts as a profession.The number of qualified culinary professionals has increased over the last 10 years in SouthAfrica, providing a large corps of people with a good understanding of this field of study anda need for continuing professional development opportunities. This study was a response tothe challenges of the demand for continuing professional development opportunities fromthis growing body of culinary professionals.The demand for continuing professional development opportunities in culinary studies isbecoming more complex and challenging for both learner and teacher. Although institutionsthat provide training in hospitality are also in the business of culinary education, theirperspectives and focus are quite diverse. Culinary education can therefore be improvedthrough a deeper understanding of the curriculum development process combined with theexpectations of both the industry and the individual.A fundamental shortcoming in the field of culinary education is often that persons withlimited expertise in the field of curriculum studies bear the primary responsibility foraddressing curriculum challenges. The development of curricula for professionaldevelopment in culinary studies subsequently happens at the expense of understanding thecurriculum. The primary aim therefore of this study was to identify and propose a curriculumframework for continuing professional development in culinary arts. This framework mightcontribute to providing a curriculum foundation, credibility to the broad hospitality industry and specifically to culinary studies, as well as to the securing of some uniformity of standardsover the spectrum of culinary qualifications.A scientifically validated situational analysis was executed by means of focus groupdiscussions, personal interviews, curriculum comparisons and an electronic mailquestionnaire survey, which mainly generated qualitative data. These techniques were usedin triangulation as research instruments to investigate the needs for continuing professionaldevelopment in culinary arts and the availability of curricula to address these needs.The greatest challenges in culinary studies were reflected in the complexity and multidisciplinarynature of this relatively undefined industry and field of study. The intricaterelation, interaction, collaboration and contexts between secondary schools, various culinarytraining institutions, industry and culinary professionals were investigated. The datagenerated confirmed the need for training and development opportunities to improve theprofessional status of culinary professionals in South AfricaThe promotion of a change in direction for culinary studies development in South Africacould ensure future growth as a discipline cognitively and professionally, in line withinternational standards, procedures and practices. The range of challenges and changes facingthe industry varies from social issues to the educational issues of qualifications and credibleaccreditations, which are addressed in the proposed curriculum framework.The lack of more empirical research in this field of study is an indication that both studentsand professionals should be encouraged to do the relevant research and that higher educationinstitutions should provide the opportunities and structures for such research.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University