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When I was in grad school for teaching, I spent a lot of time studying Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. For those of you unfamiliar with it, the basic idea is that everybody is "smart" in their own unique way(s), consisting of an intelligence profile that includes one, or many, of the defined intelligences: Verbal/Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Visual/Spatial, Musical/Rhythmic, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist. He also added Spiritual later on...although I really have never quite grasped that one and think it must be reserved for yogis and pastors.
Multiple Intelligence is different from learning style in that it doesn't define how you best take in or acquire knowledge, but how you demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. As a teacher, I have seen time and again how every child has different ways of showing me they are "smart," whether they can draw amazingly detailed diagrams or construct elaborate and creative stories.
Currently lacking full-time employment, I have had a lot of time to think about nothing and everything. I have also had a lot of time to explore my true loves: cooking, baking, and all things culinary. I have always loved to bake (I was called "Baked Goods" by an acquaintance in college who couldn't remember my name but knew I always seemed to be carrying around homemade cookies, brownies, or other treats.), and I have always loved to cook. If I was asked to name my favorite place, I very likely would pick a grocery store or natural food market. The number of cookbooks and cooking magazines I subscribe to in proportion to the amount of recipes I actually utilize from them would amaze even a highly paid Food Network Star. I spend an inordinate amount of time watching cooking shows and searching through recipes online.
In short, I am obsessed with all things related to the kitchen. (And yes, this includes kitchen gadgets.)
As I have been spending all this "fun"-employment time creatively utilizing my culinary genius, I starting thinking that maybe Gardner missed my intelligence entirely. I have always pushed myself into the Verbal Intelligence category, but the tests always gave me crazy outliers in Logical Intelligence, or Musical/Rythmic. (I have never been considered intelligent in any kinethestic way...go figure. My lack of ability to score in any competitive sport should have shown me this long ago.)
Perhaps I have Culinary Intelligence. This is, of course, not to be confused with culinary genius. Someone with culinary genius, in my opinion, has unsurpassed skill in the technical aspects of cooking that combine with instincts of flavor to create exquisitely executed, perfectly plated, morsels of goodness that quite possible cause physical reactions from astounding flavor and texture divinity.
No. Culinary Intelligence is a different kind of "smart." It is an ability to be healthful, economical, and creative in the kitchen. It is the desire to be informed about current culinary trends, and tools, as well as an interest in nutritious eating and "clean" cooking. It is a willingness to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, and an understanding that sometimes experiments go horribly wrong. It is an uncanny knack for finding great, money-saving deals on food products and then figuring out how to cook deliciously on a budget, without being wasteful. And it is also being realistic, accepting that despite the many benefits of eating totally organic, in season, and/or local, as well as buying the highest quality ingredients for the best dishes, time and money necessitate sacrifice in that realm, and that it's OK not to be 100% natural and gourmet all of the time (or even most of the time).
So here I am, starting a blog to share my adventures (and misadventures) in the land of Culinary Intelligence. Inspired by my mother, who always tells me to "write that recipe down" when I have created something great out of seemingly simple ingredients, or to anyone who has thought "tell someone who cares" while smiling politely as I regale them with the great sale on frozen vegetables at Kroger this week (10 for $10!).
If you care to see what I'm cooking up in my kitchen...keep reading!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen http://thesmartkitchen.blogspot.com
