Robert studied hotel administration at Cornell before launching his New York City restaurant career with Restaurant Associates at Rockefeller Center. He went on to work with restaurateur Dr. Joe Santo at Arizona 206 and Bolivar, where he met his now-partner, Chef Andy D’Amico. Robert opened Marseille in 2001 with Simon Oren, where Chef Andy later joined. The the three partners went on to open Nice Matin in 2003 and Nizza in 2007. In 2008, they introduced 5 Napkin Burger, which by 2013, was voted Zagat’s 12th most popular restaurant in NYC and one of the 50 Break Out Brands in Nation’s Restaurant News. Robert’s expertise in casual fine dining concepts extends to Playa Betty’s and Schmackary’s, where he is the managing partner. He’ll share insights about his approach to restaurant food, beverage, design, service and team management.
You will work in teams to execute the class menu. At the end of class, participants gather to enjoy the food they have prepared. Wine is served with meals in most classes. All class menus are subject to change. While a snack platter is offered in both morning and evening classes, you may want to consider a light snack before joining us for class. Students are encouraged to bring a light lunch or dinner to all pastry classes.
You will work in teams to execute the class menu. At the end of class, participants gather to enjoy the food they have prepared. Wine is served with meals in most classes. All class menus are subject to change. While a snack platter is offered in both morning and evening classes, you may want to consider a light snack before joining us for class. Students are encouraged to bring a light lunch or dinner to all pastry classes.
Pinot blanc, pinot grigio or pinot chardonnay? This varietal wine tasting focuses on key white grape varieties that produce some of the world's best white wines! Richard Vayda, ICE's resident sommelier, leads this side-by-side tasting, highlighting the typical look, taste, flavors, styles and food pairings of these selections from around the globe. The tasting will include eight wines, plus matching cheeses.
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.
Step down from the barstool — and go behind the bar instead! This Mixology 101 class teaches the foundational cocktail-making skills and techniques used by professional bartenders. (Much like “knife skills” is the first course taken by aspiring culinarians, Mixology 101 is the first building block toward more comprehensive cocktail knowledge.) This class covers: highball, old fashioned, martini, daiquiri , sidecar/daisy, and flips
Ranked as America’s Best Culinary School (USAToday 2019), our roster of Chef-Instructors have run top kitchens around the globe.