Alexander Salahshoar Comments On New Educational Tools for Chefs

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 21, 2013 (Press-News.org) Alexander Salahshour, who is a chef and caterer, is issuing a statement to the press about a new way to learn how to cook. With the rise of tablets and smartphones, it is easier than ever to begin to learn the basics of cooking. A new article explains how a startup based in San Francisco called Feast is helping to make cooking lessons more accessible.

David Spinks, the co-founder and CEO of Feast, explains that he wanted to take popular online education methods in order to develop a platform specifically for cooking lessons. The tool centers around a community where students can ask questions and get tips on preparing popular dishes. The online community also helps to keep users engaged. Spinks notes that his goal for the technology was to create something exciting, as opposed to an extremely technical system.

Spinks states, "We wanted to take the entertainment value you get on television, but create a format where you can actually learn. There is a problem with the Food Network. It's entertaining you, but they're not really teaching you how to cook. They're selling you a lifestyle. We're actually trying to get you in the kitchen."

Feast recently began its first online cooking course, which lasts for four weeks and focuses on the basics of cooking, such as knife skills and braising. Jeremy Umansky, Feast's in-house chef, teaches the course, which allows students to work at their own pace using text, photos, and videos in order to develop the skills necessary to become a more proficient chef.

Alexander Salahshour comments on this new development in the cooking industry stating, "Feast has the potential to really get aspiring chefs cooking and producing delicious meals. This type of technology didn't exist when I was coming up, but I wish it had. Instead of just having to learn by trial and error, you can get guidance on the various processes involved in cooking. It's ideal for those who aren't quite sure that they want to enroll in culinary school, but are still hoping to learn their way around the kitchen."

While the lessons prove useful for new chefs, the community discussions are also an important part of the learning process. Umansky engages with his pupils on the message boards, but students also learn by providing guidance and talking to one another. In many cases, they will resolve a problem before the instructor even has a chance to respond. This kind of learning helps pupils to retain the information and stay focused on their progress.

Alexander Salahshour states, " Reading recipe books is a useful way of learning, but it can often become frustrating when the chef has questions that he or she can't get answered. This platform provides support and guidance, but still allows a person to learn at his or her own pace." Alexander Salashoar calls this piece of technology "innovative."

ABOUT:

Alexander Salahshour is a professional chef who owns his own catering company, Catering by Alexander. He began his career as a sous chef at a restaurant, before moving on to fill the role of executive chef at an area restaurant. Both of his parents are involved in the food industry, and his first foray into food preparation was at his father's restaurant. Alexander went on to attend the Culinary Institute of America.