Social Media in the Culinary Realm

Experience the art of plant-based dim sum in this hands-on class, where you'll craft a variety of vegan bites inspired by classic dim sum flavors. Learn traditional techniques and plant-based adaptations to dumplings, spring rolls, buns, and rice porridge, and pair them all with fragrant tea and a sweet dessert. Students will work in groups to prepare Chili Crisp Smoked Tofu & Scallion Gyoza; Five Spice Mushroom Spring Rolls with Apricot Ginger Sauce; Sweet Hoisin Eggplant & Crushed Peanut Steamed Buns; Ginger Scallion Congee with XO Glazed Seitan Crumbles; and Chrysanthemum Goji Tea with Dark Chocolate Red Bean Truffles. (Note: This class is vegan.)

This tasting examines time-honored Old World wine styles, shoulder to shoulder with New World interpretations of the same grape or blends. This lively discussion will highlight some selected matchups in a fun and relaxed blind-tasting format. ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, will lead the tour of classic Old World and modern New World wines (both cork and screw cap), as we discuss, taste and rate our favorites. Is it a Bordeaux or a California cabernet blend? A South Australia or German riesling? Cheese and other nibbles for pairing will be offered in between.

By the latter half of the 19th century, bistros were centers of social life in Paris, catering to great painters, writers, musicians and other artists. The simple, down-to-earth food served at such bistros quickly became as celebrated as the eateries' most famous patrons - and it's still celebrated in Paris and around the world today. You will make traditional dishes of that bygone era, such as: steak tartare; frisée salad with apples, lardons and goat cheese in a warm shallot-bacon vinaigrette; moules frites and haricot verts amandine.

When it comes to healthy eating practices, no one can argue the importance of including whole-food, plant-based ingredients on your plate. We’ve taken the Meatless Monday campaign and applied it to any day of the week. Learn how to incorporate more vegetables, whole grains and beans into your diet with ease. These recipes will take you beyond Monday with robust yet simple-to-prepare vegan dishes. We'll also discuss the health benefits of a vegetarian diet, the best sources for protein, and how to obtain important vitamins and minerals. On your menu: watermelon gazpacho with kale chips and avocado crème; French lentil and toasted sunflower seed burgers with red cabbage slaw and grilled summer squash, zucchini and portobello mushroom kebabs.