How should I advise my daughter, a chef-in-training?

Question

My daughter is learning culinary arts at a high school career center. Her friend told me that my daughter said to her that they are going to do some wine tasting. Now, I know that the chef that is training them would never allow them to do anything illegal.

But, we are Mormon (which I think she told chef in the first week of school), and we don't drink alcohol. However, I know that, as a chef, she might be cooking with wines, at least in training.

One suggestion that I heard was that they taste but do not swallow. But, I don't know if even that is good or not.

And maybe I'm borrowing trouble. but, I just want some advice. Thanks.

And, please, no Mormon bashing!

Answer 1

I'm LDS, and I cook with wine on occasion. I eat the food too. I make sure that the alcohol is cooked out, but this has never been an issue with the word of wisdom at all with me and its more of an issue with personal preference rather than a clear cut rule.

As far as tasting the wine, I think its up to her. I'd talk to her about what she's comfortable with and if you have any more questions talk to your Bishop about it. I know Bishops are busy, but he's the one to talk to about a question like this.

I don't know about it being a spirit/letter of the law issue. Having read some of these answers, yes we are examples to others, but as far as tasting the wine goes, I think its her call to make and decide what she wants to do.

As far as eating alcohol, here's a favorite story of mine, an excerpt out of a book, David O McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism.

"And so, he gently chided Apostle John A. Widtsoe, whose wife advocated such a rigid interpretation of the Word of Wisdom as to proscribe chocolate because of the stimulants it contained, saying, "John, do you want to take all the joy out of life?" But he didn't stop there. At a reception McKay attended, the hostess served rum cake. "All the guests hesitated, Watching to see what McKay would do. He smacked his lips and began to eat. "'When one guest expostulated, "But President McKay, don't you know that is rum cake?' McKay smiled and reminded the guest that the Word of Wisdom forbade drinking alcohol, not eating it."

Answer 2

I've heard that they taste but don't swallow too.
My first thoughts:
I think it depends on how you want her to make her decisions in life. Do you want her to live the "letter of law" (so to speak), or the "spirit of the law"? The letter of the law would be, if you don't swallow it then there's no harm - although you might want to rinse your mouth out with water or something non-alcoholic afterwards (and not swallow it either). The "spirit of the law" answer would be to remind her that she is always an example of what a Mormon is, and that by participating in the wine tasting (even if she doesn't swallow) she is (you might want to phrase it nicer than I am, but) splitting hairs. That people will generalize that while Mormons SAY they don't drink, they saw this Mormon in their class who did - those saying this may convienently forget to include that she spit it out. And that by participating in the wine tasting she's getting closer to the line that we are warned to not get too close to. If she will taste the wine this time, it will be easier for satan to get her to go farther next time. You may want to remind her that rarely does someone go from being "Molly Mormon" to a bitter ex-Mormon in one day, that it happens by degrees. And soon the cotton string turns into a flaxen cord then into a steel chain.
Of course, first I'd verify with her and her teacher what the real deal is.

EDIT:
After having read one of the answers that said something about the possibility of the commandment being vague, I have a different answer.
Second thoughts: The Word of Wisdom says:"That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, " So again I say it's a spirit of the law/ letter of the law issue. In this case, what does drink mean? Does drink mean what you do in your heart? Does it mean swallowing it? Does it mean when the wine touches her lips? Is it still wine if the alcohol has been burned off? Is it then post-alcohol? If so, then is there a pre-alcohol? Should we avoid that as well?
Do you see that if you're looking for a way around a situation you will keep asking questions until you find a way around it?

So my advise is to remind her what the Word of Wisdom says. Ask her her feelings about it. What does she think it means? What are her feelings about alcohol as it relates to cooking with it? Explain to her that you are bringing this up, not to tell her what to do, but to give her an opportunity to make the decision beforehand so that when she is asked to taste the wine, or taste a food that has wine in it, she will already have an answer and won't be caught off gaurd.

Answer 3

I attended a Stake Youth Fireside as a youth myself and this subject was brought up. It's the same principle as drinking non-caffeinated coffee (although we all know it's not the caffeine that's the issue). I remember being told not to even let the alcohol touch your lips because it's the appearance of evil. If she lets her guard down once, it'll be easier the next time.

My younger brother just went through some culinary training and had to taste most of what he cooked. He is a very picky eater to begin with and usually stays clear of chocolate, milkshakes and most vegetables. You don't have to taste it if you don't want to. The alcohol in a wine-based sauce will cook out from the exposure to the high heat.

Be sure to mention when you chat about it that it needs to be a decision she's already made, so that when the occasion arises, she already knows what she has to do.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Wow, dilema! Sort of a Spirit or Letter of the law thing...

I would probably say that "taste but don't swallow" should be okay.

I believe that the purpose of the Word of Wisdom is to keep us healthy and free from addiction, as well as to set us apart from the World.

Now having said that, the alcohol in wine will burn off during cooking. So is it against the Word of Wisdom to use alcohol during cooking? I don't think so. I do it...and I don't drink the stuff I'm putting in the dishes! LOL.

Probably the best thing to do would be for her (and you) to consult the Lord in prayer. How do YOU feel about this? Do you feel that it is breaking a commandment? If so, then definately advise against.

No clear-cut answer, is there?

Answer 5

Wine tasting is not drinking wine. They have a little bowl for you to spit it out in if you so choose. It IS very important for a good Chef to know wines, it's just a fact of life. She may be a bit younger than I would have been for that sort of thing, but if this is what she wants to do, it's important to dive full force into it. She's going to have to learn these types of things someday, and the sooner the better so she can continue her education.

Answer 6

I'm not Mormon (you know that already) but I would be going to the teacher, the principal, the superintendent and school board. It is illegal for them give alcohol to minors even if they don't swallow it!

COuld it be misinformation? I'd think any school that did this would get slammed by the media and pro-family groups. You'd think they would be afraid to try something like that.

Answer 7

Dear mormon 4,

My friend was under 21 when she went to culinary school and those who are not of age are allowed to taste but not swallow the wine. It's part of their training and for that part of the course i think they have to be able to identify different wines and pair them with foods.

i'm not sure what Mormonism allows and disallows- but i think this partaking of alcohol is quite clear in its intent-- and Jesus looks at people's hearts (according to the New Testament people are under grace and not under law). Anyhow i think its ok for the purposes of the class-- although i'm a Christian and not a Mormon so i'm not sure what the exact stance of the Mormon church would be on this topic.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 8

Honestly- she's going to have to taste foods every day for the rest of her career before serving them.
If the alchohol prohibition is that vague, maybe she shouldn't pursue a culinary career.
There are foods I do not eat or mix for religious reasons, and as such I would NOT be working in a restaraunt kitchen- it is a neccessity to taste! (Not that they'd let me in a kitchen or anything..)

Answer 9

Honestly, if it is alcohol, the molecule, that you are striving to avoid, even tasting wine will allow it into your bloodstream. It will pass readily through most mucous membranes. If it is intoxication that you are worried about, then you should relax. Even tasting and swallowing small amounts of wine will not lead to a noticeable case of intoxication. If you are really trying to avoid ethanol, the molecule, you have your work cut out for you, because that little bugger is ubiquitous.

Answer 10

Sounds like tasting without ingesting would be her best bet. She needs to know the flavors of the things she'll be cooking with, or that will be served with her meals to compliment the flavors.

Good luck.