More Cooking School Vacations
Four North American destinations to sample.
By: Wendy Paris | Source: NRTA Live & Learn | February 17, 2006
where to learn more
Tasting Life in Other Places
What better way to immerse yourself in a foreign culture than through its cooking? Find out about cooking schools around the world.
Red Mountain Spa
Love to cook, yet like to look like you spend all your time in the gym? At this spa, you'll learn the principles and techniques behind healthy, low-cal spa cuisine. Classes run for two hours each day, leaving plenty of time for hiking and biking the red rock canyons and booking services in the spa. Five night/six day "adventure cuisine" package includes accommodations, daily cooking lessons, three daily meals, guided hikes, fitness classes, and events. www.redmountainspa.com; 800-407-3002.
Burlington, VT
New England Culinary Institute
This professional cooking school has teamed up with The Inn at Essex to offer novice chefs a chance to learn with a pro. Prepare a three-course meal under the guidance of a NECI instructor. Dine on the work of your own hands. Retire, well-fed, to a four-poster bed. One night "Chef 'Inn' Training" package includes accommodation, class for one, breakfast, and a tour of the New England Culinary Institute. www.vtculinaryresort.com; 800-727-4295.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Savor the Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises
Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Nassau on Celebrity Cruise's Infinity—and learn about each island's cuisine while on board. Each week features a different guest chef offering cooking demonstrations, lectures, and tastings. Six night/seven day cruises include accommodations, lectures, demonstrations, and meals. www.celebritycruises.com; 800-722-5941.
Saint-Adèle, Québec, Canada
L'Eau à la Bouche
You can learn French cooking and dining concepts such as "mis en place," (everything in its place) as well as how to work with meat, fish, vegetables, bread, and pastries—without having to cross the Atlantic to do so. The weekend course in the Francophone province is held at the Relais & Chateaux inn, L'Eau à la Bouche, and run by the English-speaking chef-owner. One night/two day course includes accommodation for one night, breakfast, two dinners, all instruction, and your own cook's jacket. www.leaualabouche.com; 450-229-2991.
Wendy Paris has contributed essays to NPR's Savvy Traveler and Splendid Table shows and writes regularly for NRTA Live & Learn.
Watch for new stories every Thursday in Live & Learn, NRTA's publication for the AARP educator community: Celebrating learning as a creative lifestyle.
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