THE CHEF'S PROFESSION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 305, 18 September 1908, Page 8

THE CHEF'S PROFESSION.

PROPOSED SCHOOL OP COOKERY. A class of people who have done much to promote tho happiness of humanity liavo commenced to think about their own happiness. The cooks of Wellington have formed an association, whoso objects aro declared to be "a mutual help and assistanco in matters connected with the profession of cooks,- for social intercourse, and tho improvement of tho status and positions of its members, to provide • reading-rooms, billiards, library, chess, draughts, cards,' and such similar amusements as tho committeo may think fit, and tp generally promote the welfare of its members." In the rooms formerly occupied by tho Civil Service Club, on Lambton Quay, a, handsomo billiard i tablo has been provided, and a supply of magazines and other reading matter is being made. Business and improvement aro to be combined witli pleasure. It is proposed to form, a cooking school in connection with tho clubrooms, where instruction will bo given by experienced chefs in tho mysterious art. Tho instruction will bo entirely practical. No anxious housewife will be taught to niako' puff pastry; purchasable at a shop for half tho cost of the ingredients. Tho alphabet of tho profession starts with cleaning saucepans. It is said that very many people never clean a saucepan satisfactorily. Tho art of cookery is one to be approached in a most humble spirit. Tho secretary of the association (Mr. Fred. C. Benfield) affirms that there are 450 ways in which to serve an egg, and many people cannot boil , one properly. Demonstrations by tho heads of tho profession will bo given at intervals, and it is proposed to spend no less than £20 on a library of the best works on cookery. Mr. Benfield states that in England a man must undergo a six years' training before he can take front rank as a cook. He pays £100 to learn tho profession, and receives no wages through his long apprenticeship. Yet it has been said—surely only in France—that thero aro no cooks in England. Clearly this is a profession to be honoured.