ISO Destination Cooking Schools

[JenniferJJ]

have a "mandatory" vacation in a few weeks. (Meaning my work shuts down, but I don't get paid for it.) I was hoping to find another job outside of here where didn't have this week off. But since that's only a few weeks off and no new job scheduled yet, I may as well take a vacation.

Anyway, I was thinking a cooking school might be a good trip for a solo vacation. I thought it would be a great way to see another part of the country, too. Does anyone here have any ideas? I know I've read about places, but right now I cannot think of any.

I would appreciate any help.

[dgeevanson]

Have you checked out the "Shaw Guides" for Recreational cooking classes? They have listings for professionals and for foodies. This is one website I have for them. cookforfun.shawguides.com
One that I have been wanting to go to is the Blair House Inn. It was named "One of the top 10 Cooking Schools" by USA Today. Their website is blairhouseinn.com Good Luck Hope this helps. Darla

[funniegrrl]

Culinary Institute of America has a campus in Napa Valley that holds classes. There are others in Napa as well.

Jane Butel has a cooking school in Santa Fe.

Other cities that are known to have cooking schools are New Orleans and San Francisco.

I know I have a link to a web site that lists all sorts of classes / schools like this, but I can't find it. Maybe it's on my computer at home. If so I'll post later.

[cangoss]

I bet you would love the King Arthur classes in Vermont. I've been wanting to go there for a couple of years.

[cooknmom38]

There are so many cooking schools to go to its crazy! But I know that the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY is nice. http://www.ciachef.edu/

The Culinary Institute in Greystone, Cali is awesome. ( there is a link to that website off of the CIA website lised above.) My husband was just out there taking a wine and food pairing course and there are tons of wineries that you can go and visit for tastings and even private tastings. They have a whole Continuing Ed Dept there. And its just a beautiful place.

There is the Caphalon Culinary Center in Chicago.A really cool plae to take cooking classes.
http://www.calphalonculinarycenter.com

There is Johnson and Wales in Providence, RI. (thats where my husband and I went to school ) and actually there are campuses all over the country.But we like Providence the best. http://www.jwu.edu

So there are some schools that you can look into that are the more well known schools in the country. There are a ton more schools allover the counbrty but it really depends what you are looking for. If it were me though I would do Greystone..Its kind of based in the area where that movie Sideways was filmed. Its awesome in Napa, and Sonoma isnt too far either.... good luck!


Alisa:D

[kabs]

You didn't mention what type of budget you have, but a few summers ago my best friend and I went on a culinary tour in Sante Fe through this company:

www.epiculinary.com

We had so much fun! They really book higher-end tours. We cooked in the morning, and then went to 10,000 Waves Spa in the afternoon, and then out to a wonderful dinner at night. Our hotel was wonderful, too. <sigh> I want to go back!

Kim

[Canice]

Wow, what a high class problem! ;) :)
With whole country to choose from, I'd scarcely know where to start looking. OK, not entirely true...I know I'd be checking out the Pacific Northwest.
Anyhow, just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents and say I've enjoyed my classes at Tante Marie's Cooking School (http://www.tantemaries.com/) here in San Francisco: It's small (just two kitchens) but a very bright and pleasant environment, and it's located on a quiet, residential street on Telegraph Hill, just blocks from North Beach.

[Schmee]

Originally posted by Canice
Anyhow, just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents and say I've enjoyed my classes at Tante Marie's Cooking School (http://www.tantemaries.com/) here in San Francisco: It's small (just two kitchens) but a very bright and pleasant environment, and it's located on a quiet, residential street on Telegraph Hill, just blocks from North Beach.

Canice,that place sounds like a dream! DH and I both love San Fran and cooking, what a great little trip that would be! Although out of our budget at this time, I will keep this in mind for the future. Do you have any ideas on prices? I did not see them on the website.

[Canice]

If you click on "classes" the prices are listed under each class name. They're not cheap but between the environment of the school, the neighborhood, the teachers...and of course the food and content, that little space is one place I can go and let go of everything else going on in my life. (I only take the participation courses). I think you get good value for a one- or two-day course. I'm thining of taking this one for $150:
Celebrating Corn and Tomatoes: There is nothing that says “summer” more than the bounty of tomatoes and corn. In this One-Day Workshop, Linda will teach you about tomato and corn identification, purchasing, preparation techniques and usage in an array of delicious dishes. Some of the dishes you will be making are Corn Fritters with Arugula and Warm Tomato Salad; Grilled Corn and Shrimp Salad; Savory Corn Pudding with Basil; Fried Green Tomato “BLT”; Triple Tomato Tart; and Swordfish Brochettes with Pickled Tomatoes.