Restaurant School for ages 12-17

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.

Take a trip to the Mediterranean with "Essentials of Greek Cooking." This class reveals the secrets behind beloved Greek dishes by focusing on fresh ingredients and traditional techniques. You'll learn to make flaky, savory Spanakopita; master the art of delicate Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) with bright Avgolemeno sauce; prepare a classic Horiatiki Salad; and create comforting Kota Kapama (a flavorful chicken and orzo dish simmered in a rich tomato sauce). Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and traditions of Greek cuisine!

Come join NYC’s longest running wine course. Over its 45+ year history, thousands of students, food and wine professionals and the wine interested public alike, have participated in this program. This six-session course, crafted by ICE director of wine studies Richard Vayda, uses grape varietals, as well as winemaking regions, as the keys to understanding the full wine spectrum. You will receive a thorough introduction to winemaking, tasting, laws and labeling as you learn about wine components and taste some of the world’s most celebrated wines. In these six sessions, you will sample up to 60 wines! Session 1: Winemaking and Wine-Tasting Basics. Session 2: France: The Wines and Grapes of Burgundy and Bordeaux. Session 3: The Major Wines and Grape Varieties of Italy. Session 4: Spanish and other Warm-Climate Wines. Session 5: Wine Tour of the US West Coast. Session 6: A Tour of Sparkling Wine from Around the World.

Georgian cuisine is finally being recognized for its variety, and the depth of flavors and techniques that characterize its unique culinary traditions. Given the country's location at the exact intersection of Europe and Asia, influences from both cultures have informed the dishes that the region is known for. From the banks of the Black Sea to the Caucasus Mountains, the land provides herbs, nuts and vegetables used in all aspects of its culinary traditions. You’ll become acquainted with the new "it" cuisine as you prepare: adjaruli khachapuri (cheese bread); nigvziani badrijani (stuffed eggplant rolls); tabaka (chicken cooked "under a brick") with blackberry sauce; and chakapuli (braised lamb with tarragon sauce).