Can one study gastronomy without the sense of smell?

The lack of the sense of smell can be seriously limiting to a career in gastronomy. When you say you "don't" have the sense of smell I assume you cannot make out the difference between turd and toffee. Without the knowledge of the differences in smell the full "flavour" of the product will not be experienced. read more

Problems with the sense of smell increase as people get older, and they are more common in men than women. In one study, nearly one-quarter of men ages 60–69 had a smell disorder, while about 11 percent of women in that age range reported a problem. Many people who have smell disorders also notice problems with their sense of taste. read more