Dream Jobs: I'm A S'mores Expert At The Ritz Carlton
Whether you sat around a campfire, a fire pit, a fire place or just heated them up in the microwave, the ooey gooey delicacy has the ability to transport anyone back to the good old days.
They're a decadent treat to be sure, but the s'more also offers the chance to gather around a fire together and create memories as a family.
Ski resorts across America are now offering special s'mores happy hours for guests—with and without children.
The practice has become so popular that the Ritz-Carlton in Lake Tahoe has a team of "Marshmologists" dedicated to the "Art of the S'more." It might just be the best job on the planet. As ski season approaches we sat down with this team of specialists to learn more about the greatest winter time snack that ever was.
Yahoo Travel: Tell us about your job. It sounds pretty delicious.
Marshmologist: As the Marshmologist, my job is to entertain the guests and their families nightly around the fire pit and teach them everything that there is to know about s'mores including the history of the s'more and all of its components including the marshmallow, graham cracker and chocolate bar. I also teach guests how to make the perfect s'more and guide them in the art of s'more making by sharing tips such as how to create the perfect roast and flavor combinations.
Yahoo Travel: What can you tell us about the history of the marshmallow?
Marshmologist: The marshmallow far beats the s'more in an age contest since it is over 4,000 years old. It was first discovered Egypt by squeezing a mallow plant and was reserved only for gods and royalty. It didn't receive it's more common appearance until the 1800's. French candy makers whipped the plant extract into egg whites and sugar to make not treats, but medicine. Marshmallows originally were used to treat sore throats, suppress coughs and help heal minor cuts and burns, and became so popular a quicker production method had to be found. Unfortunately this method also put an end to the use of actual mallow in marshmallows, and resulted in the modern recipe of corn syrup, corn starch, sugar, and gelatin. Marshmallows have no medical use, but Americans still purchase more than 95 million pounds per year.
Marshmologist: The first official s'mores recipe was published in the Girl Scout Handbook in 1927, but culinary historians believe that the tradition began much earlier. Over the years, the recipe was passed from camper to camper and eventually became the most famous fireside dessert.
Yahoo Travel: What is the perfect way to roast a s'more?
Marshmologist: The perfect way to roast a s'more is to constantly rotate your s'mores stick in medium fire heat. It takes a bit more patience and time, but it's the best method to give the marshmallow an overall golden brown hue.
My personal favorite s'more assembly is creating a double marshmallow s'more where you place one original flavored marshmallow plus one of our house-made flavors in between two crackers and a piece of chocolate because it completely fills the space between the crackers and creates a unique flavor!
Yahoo Travel: What different flavors do you have?
Marshmologist: Their pastry chef actually prepares homemade marshmallows in flavors like mint, berry, pumpkin, caramel and peppermint.
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This article was originally published by Jo Piazza