July 25th is National Culinarians Day, celebrating the culinarians for whom we are grateful.

What’s a culinarian?

Culinarians are culinary experts: masters of the art and science of cooking and serving food.

They can be restaurant and commercial kitchen chefs, pastry chefs and bakers, caterers: anyone who is involved in the preparation of and serving of good food.

The chef, cook, or prep assistant makes not just tasty food, but food attractive to serve.

They also pass on their culinary skills and knowledge of food to the next generation of chefs.

Don’t forget the good cooks and bakers in our own homes. Those acclaimed family members and friends are culinarians.

In addition to National Culinarians Day:

> National Personal Chef Day is July 16th. If you are fortunate enough to have a personal chef, give them something extra special.

> International Chef’s Day is October 20th.

So take a moment to celebrate the profession and the great home cooks, even if it’s just to say, “Compliments to the chef!”
 
 
CHEFS IN THE U.S.

According to the 2019 U.S. Census, cooking professionals in the U.S. include:

 
So, thanks to all the culinarians who have enhanced our experiences for decades. Including you, Mom.

And to all of the servers who are essential to a good dining experience but are not considered culinarians: Many thanks to you as well.

[1] A team of chefs in a fine restaurant (photo © Louis Hansel | Unsplash).

[2] A good home cook is also a culinarian (photo © Kevin McCutcheon | Unsplash).