The term “culinary arts” is a broad term that refers not only to the preparation and cooking of food but also to the presentation and service of the food. It applies to side dishes, main dishes, appetizers, and other components of meals, such as desserts.

The chefs and cooks who work tirelessly in the culinary arts deliver masterpieces that engage our taste buds as well as our imaginations. That’s why it’s important for all of us to show these professionals that their work is appreciated and very much needed.

One way to show them the respect they deserve is by observing National Culinary Arts Month in July and letting them know, either in person or online.

The History of National Culinary Arts Month

At this moment in time, we’re unsure who invented National Culinary Arts Month or when it was invented. Doing a search on the internet does seem to suggest that this month was created sometime during the beginning of the 21st century — perhaps in 2001 or 2002. We’ll continue to try to uncover the origins of this month, but until we do, this is as close as we can come.

Amazing Facts About Culinary Arts

Since we’re on the subject of culinary arts, we thought we’d take a few moments and talk about some of the things we learned about this subject as we did the hard research needed for this article. We think the following facts are perfect for anyone wishing to observe National Culinary Arts Month this July.

• Culinary comes from the Latin word “culina,” which means kitchen or cook stove.
• During the Middle Ages, white flour and sugar were often reserved for the meals of nobility.
• Peasants during the Middle Ages usually subsisted on oat bread, vegetables, and scraps of protein.
• Cheese is one of the most stolen foods in the world. Out of the 23 billion tons of cheese produced each year, 90 million tons get stolen.
• The Boston Cooking School opened in 1879, making it one of the first U.S. cooking schools.
• Saint Martha is the patron saint of cooks.
• There are approximately a million professional chefs in the world.
• It’s believed that human civilization wouldn’t have been possible without the invention of soup.

Observing National Culinary Arts Month

National Culinary Arts Month is best observed by giving a shout-out to people in the culinary arts field. This is also a good month for people to learn more about the culinary arts or even pursue a career in this field. And to spread the word about this month, everyone is encouraged to use the hashtag #NationalCulinaryArtsMonth on social media.