Michael Stillman grew up in the restaurant industry watching his family’s restaurant business. He worked for Union Square Hospitality Group and The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and gained experience in kitchens and purchasing departments before participating in staff recruitment and training, menu development and operations for Smith & Wollensky openings in Houston, Dallas and Boston. Michael channeled his creative vision and business sense into the concept creation of Quality Meats, which opened in New York City in 2006 and Miami Beach in 2015. He led the execution of every aspect of the new restaurant, from recruiting acclaimed design firm AvroKO and talented young chef Craig Koketsu, to negotiating lease terms and working with contractors to keep the job on budget and schedule. After closing the sale of The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and founding Quality Branded in 2007, Michael created a succession of restaurants that achieved critical and popular acclaim: Park Avenue Summer (Autumn, Winter, Spring), Quality Italian, Quality Meats Miami Beach and Quality Eats. Michael will share his advice for the smart, effective expansion of a restaurant brand.
You will work in teams to execute the class menu. At the end of class, participants gather to enjoy the food they have prepared. Wine is served with meals in most classes. All class menus are subject to change. While a snack platter is offered in both morning and evening classes, you may want to consider a light snack before joining us for class. Students are encouraged to bring a light lunch or dinner to all pastry classes.
You will work in teams to execute the class menu. At the end of class, participants gather to enjoy the food they have prepared. Wine is served with meals in most classes. All class menus are subject to change. While a snack platter is offered in both morning and evening classes, you may want to consider a light snack before joining us for class. Students are encouraged to bring a light lunch or dinner to all pastry classes.
Travel the world with hearty and vibrant vegetarian entrees from around the globe! These international standouts will quickly become your go-to recipes for any day of the week. Healthful, flavor-packed and a snap to make, this is a menu you'll love learning together. We'll make all three dishes, from comfort food to Asian specialties to Mexican mains, then sit down to this meal of: sesame-crusted Asian tofu with garlic-fried wild rice; enchiladas suizas with cheese and roasted vegetables; and orecchiette pasta with roasted cauliflower and caramelized onions.
Discover the bold, aromatic flavors of Ethiopian cuisine in this hands-on plant-based cooking class. Using traditional spices and techniques, we’ll create a vibrant menu of stews, pastries, and vegetables, and we’ll consider the textures and tastes that make Ethiopian cuisine – and the regional cuisines within it – unique. Students will work in groups to prepare Curried Chickpea & Lentil Stew with Warm Injera Bread; Lentil Jalapeño Sambusa Pastries with Cilantro Citrus Relish; Cumin Sizzled Collard Greens with Tomato Chili Confit; Berbere Seared Mushrooms with Charred Eggplant Purée; Orange & Caramelized Leek Wild Rice Pilaf; and Ethiopian Coffee Chocolate Avocado Mousse.
If you can't get enough of the wonderful steaks, salads, and sides at Gotham's top eateries, join us for this follow-up to one of our most popular classes, The Great New York Steakhouse. In this iteration, we expand upon the classic dishes served at the most celebrated chophouses in this gastronomic city. On your menu: clams casino; wedge salad; filet mignon au poivre with cognac cream sauce; hand-cut fries and grilled asparagus.
Ranked as America’s Best Culinary School (USAToday 2019), our roster of Chef-Instructors have run top kitchens around the globe.