Steak & Sauce

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.

Do you have a spice blend in your cabinet that you picked up on vacation, but you're not sure how to use it? If you're one of those people, or a cook who would like to incorporate spice blends into your culinary repertoire, then come to ICE for this educational class. We'll travel around the globe as you learn to create spice blends like: Indian masala; Jamaican jerk seasoning; French herbes de provence; and Moroccan ras el hanout. You will then use these aromatic spice blends to prepare: Provençal vegetable gratin; jerk chicken wings; and cauliflower tikka masala.

California is the top wine-producing state by far --- and when most people think of California wines, Sonoma and Napa immediately come to mind. But in reality, only about 10 percent of the state's wine comes from these two celebrated regions. This evening’s tasting, hosted by ICE’s resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, pits the two regions' best varietal wines head-to-head in a no-holds-barred face-off! Come help judge the best (or at least your favorites) from these two renowned areas. Of course, some delicious California cheeses will accompany the evening's eight wines!

This four-session continuation of the Wine Essentials series offers in-depth exploration and tastings of some of the world’s more interesting and unusual wines. Studies will include an expanded array of lesser-known varietals and wines, as each class concentrates on one wine category and delves into the wines’ production, characteristics and uses, including discussions of food and wine pairing. Session 1: Advanced White Wines: Side-by-Side Tasting of Interesting Aromatic and Fruity Wines. Session 2: Advanced Red Wines: In-Depth Comparison of Selected Wines From Old and New World Regions. Session 3: Off-Dry to Sweet: Exploration of Elegant Rieslings to Cru Classé Sauternes. Session 4: Fortified and Aromatized Wines With Wine Service: Fascinating Wines, From Vermouths and Sherries to Madeiras and Portos.