A Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Immersion

ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, pulls out all the stops for this very special Valentine's Day celebration. For this delightful class, you will dine on a variety of hors d'oeuvres along with a select group of wines. Your evening begins with a discussion of the origin and making of sparkling wine, while tasting various examples --- from non-vintage to vintage to rosé. The highlight of the tasting features a prestige cuvée Champagne paired with an American challenger. The class rounds out with students enjoying a buffet of classic luxury food matches while indulging in additional bubbly, making for a sparkling evening you'll always remember.

Enjoy Spain right here in New York as you feast on tapas --- one of the great pleasures of Spanish culture. You'll make merry with these classic and contemporary small plates featuring all the flavors of the Mediterranean. After we cook, the party begins. We'll enjoy: pan con tomate with salt-cured anchovies; patatas bravas with aioli and chives; jamón croquetas; gambas al ajillo; and red wine sangria.

Knowing how to use knives skillfully is the foundation of all cooking, and doesn't have to be scary or frustrating. Many home and even professional cooks don't always wield a knife correctly, however, which increases food preparation time and makes the process harder --- and less safe --- than it should be. Simply put, good knives are the foundation of a well-equipped kitchen. This class remedies all these basic issues: You will learn how to slice, dice, chop, and much more in the safest and most efficient manner. This class will even guide you through the practice of keeping your knives sharp and handling them correctly.

ICE’s Fine Cooking series are the classes on which our recreational program’s reputation was built. This intensive course expands on our Fine Cooking 1 series and takes a deeper dive into essential culinary techniques. These full-participation classes teach fundamental skills, not recipes. This course covers everything from fileting a fish, to properly sautéing, to cover poaching techniques and fundamental sauce making. As you advance through the series, you’ll gradually come to understand each cooking concept. You’ll have a firm grasp of ingredients and equipment; you’ll know why things happen; you'll learn how to avoid and correct mistakes. Most importantly, 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. Prerequisite: Fine Cooking 1.