More Cooking School Vacations
By: Wendy Paris Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-02-17 12:29:00-05:00
Culinary adventures don't always start in exotic places. Here, four North American cooking school vacations as varied as the continent itself.
St. George, UT
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; 1-800-407-3002.
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; 1-800-727-4295.
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; 1-800-722-5941.
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; 1-450-229-2991.
Shop 'til You . . .Cook
If you love to buy cooking gadgets as much as use them, the drop-in classes at high-end cookware shop Sur la Table. may be the perfect solution. Cookbook authors and professional chefs offer demonstration and hands-on cooking classes on such topics as "winter fruit dessert workshop," "essential knife skills," and the "art of braising." Held in stores in 11 states, the single-session classes also get you 10 percent off on supplies. www.surlatable.com; 1-866-328-5412.
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