ACC: Master Class with Chef Mario Sandoval

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.

Emilia-Romagna, which stretches between the Adriatic coast, northern Tuscany, and the Po Valley, is one of the most prolific agricultural regions of Italy. It is known for its pasta, balsamic vinegar, Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano, among a wealth of other products. While enjoying wines such as Sangiovese and Barbera, you will learn to make traditional dishes that include: brodetto fish stew; cotechino con lenticchie; chicken cacciatore with creamy polenta; and warm zabaglione with Marsala wine for dessert.

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.

One of the world's oldest cultures, China has a complex cuisine, with a range of regional dishes often not found anywhere outside of the country. Some techniques, ingredients and dishes are similar throughout all of China; this Essentials class focuses on those, giving you a well-rounded overview of Chinese food and culinary culture. From stir-frying and braising to steaming and red cooking, you will learn to use traditional Chinese techniques to make a menu that includes: scallion pancakes with dipping sauce; red-cooked chicken with rice; dan dan noodles; and Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.