Overview

Ever since our ancestors discovered how to make and harness fire, humans have been experimenting with its use. In colder regions around the world, it was thought to be first used for heating. Once fire was applied to food for cooking, it greatly changed the human diet. Foods previously not considered made their way into the human diet because heat softened it, reduced toxins, concentrated flavours or simply made it taste better.

Through the ages various methods of cooking food developed, such as on hot coals, over open fires, or boiled in clay pots.

Over time these basic techniques have evolved and developed into more complex skills, aided by technology and the development of purpose-built equipment.

In the modern western world, all food can be cooked using one or a combination of twelve different basic methods of cookery.

In this unit you will learn how to:

• Select and use cooking equipment and technology
• Prepare and cook food using basic methods of cookery.