The Sculpted Cake

The genius of Tuscan cuisine lies within its simplicity of fresh ingredients. The landscape is a romantic patchwork of grapevines, farmhouses and olive groves. If you and a date are considering an Italian countryside getaway, save yourself the plane tickets and join ICE for an intimate Tuscan feast where you will make: Tuscan chicken liver paté; shaved fennel and radicchio salad; handmade pappardelle with truffle sauce; and bistecca alla fiorentina.

Let's eat like we're in Italy, from the apps all the way through to a rich dessert! These dishes put you back in that Mediterranean mindset...even if you've never been there. Make and sit down to this warm, comforting Italian banquet of: fried zucchini with Parmesan; veal saltimbocca alla romana; spaghetti carbonara; cavolfiore alla napoletana (cauliflower with raisins and pine nuts).

This class is for the Italian food enthusiast! ICE Boot Camps give you the opportunity to learn how to cook and bake like the pros. This four-day Boot Camp focuses on the class cooking techniques and regional cuisines of Italy. On day one, we will tour Northwest Italy with a focus on fresh pastas. You will learn classic pasta dough techniques; how to extrude pasta and shape gnocchi and ravioli. On day two, we will cover the five courses of the Italian meal (antipasti, primi, secundo de pesce, secundo de carne, contorni) and explore the cuisine of Northeastern Italy. On day three, our main focus will be the the four pastas of Rome (carbonara, cacio e pepe, alla gricia and amatricana) while we also cover the regional cuisine of central Italy. On our final day, we will head to southern Italy and explore classic dishes like pesce all acqua pazza and fritti di melanzane as well as learn how to make fresh mozzarella.

Although it contains vast areas of arid landscape, the Middle East is a fertile spot on the culinary map. Over the years, various empires have ruled the region's countries, leaving their imprint on the colorful, aromatic and diverse flavors. Recipes are dominated by spice blends, in-season vegetables and fruits, grains, olives and olive oil, nuts, herbs, and pickled and preserved foods. From Beirut, the “Paris of the Middle East,” to Jerusalem, considered the oldest city in the world, you will get a taste of the incredible culinary heritage with a magnificent vegetarian menu of hummus; tabbouleh; spicy falafel, tahini sauce; baba ghanoush and homemade pita.