The Origins of Fast Food

Fast Food - love it or hate it, it-s impossible to avoid, on many occasions it may be the only option. It-s mighty flagships - McDonalds, KFC and Burger King are dotted throughout the globe, their symbols are easily recognised by practically every culture in the world. They evolved from the zany drive-in restaurants that sprang up in California during the 1940s in response to the escalating number of cars on the roads. People could pull up in their cars, remain in them, a carhop would take their order and their grub would be delivered to them which they would eat tin their car. However, the kitchen still operated like a normal restaurant with the result that often the food arrived at the car cold. One of these restaurants owned by two brothers named Richard and Maurice McDonald decided to tackle this problem, they changed the traditional kitchen method into something that resembled more of a factory assembly line than anything else which became known as the Speedee Service System. This system negated the need for a skilled cook instead using several unskilled workers; each doing one small, simple step in the food preparation process. The system worked and many of the other drive-in restaurants in California began adopting similar systems. The more successful ones, began to franchise their models, opening up stores across the United States. The trick with these franchises was that food in each outlet would taste exactly the same. The magic behind this trick is that the food used is mass produced in a factory where artificial and natural flavours are added , it is then frozen and transported to the restaurant where it is re-heated. In addition, the food is cooked by adhering to the exact same guidelines each and every time. Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net http://www.visitscotlandtours.com Article