A World of Fried Chicken

These desserts are perfect for winter, not just because of their wintry flavors of ginger, peppermint and more, but because of their clever use of fruits that are easily available in winter. And, naturally, you can't forget the chocolate. We'll make: peppermint chocolate truffles; gingerbread cake with chai-spiced frosting; and cranberry and pear crisp.

The history, culture and geography of Morocco are all richly evocative. It is easy to imagine yourself sipping mint tea while sitting on a terrace in Casablanca or Marrakech, or hiking the Atlas Mountains. The cuisine of Morocco reflects its Berber, Mediterranean, African and European influences, with a generous use of powerful spices. In this class, you will make some of the most acclaimed dishes of the Moroccan repertoire, including: grilled kefta (lamb) kebabs; chicken tagine with preserved lemons and olives; sweet spiced couscous; carrot salad with lemon-herb dressing and harissa.

For a flash course on all the basics you need to make a varied and impressive meal, look no further. With a professional chef, you'll gain the skills vital for moving through any simple menu with ease. You'll practice knife skills, roasting vegetables, cooking proteins with a pan sauce and a vinaigrette. Then you'll use what you learned as you make a menu of: popovers; sautéed chicken with classic pan sauce; roasted root vegetable salad with fresh herb dressing and garlic mashed potatoes.

Once you master essential cooking techniques, you possess the culinary grounding to cook both classical cuisines and the latest cooking styles. These full-participation classes teach fundamental skills, not just recipes. Most important, you'll gain the experience you need to cook with confidence and pleasure---without relying strictly on recipes. Each class culminates with a student-prepared meal. The course consists of four 6-hour classes. Fine Cooking 1 is a prerequisite to Fine Cooking 2. The course completes in four days.