Steak & Sauce

This tasting examines time-honored Old World wine styles, shoulder to shoulder with New World interpretations of the same grape or blends. This lively discussion will highlight some selected matchups in a fun and relaxed blind-tasting format. ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, will lead the tour of classic Old World and modern New World wines (both cork and screw cap), as we discuss, taste and rate our favorites. Is it a Bordeaux or a California cabernet blend? A South Australia or German riesling? Cheese and other nibbles for pairing will be offered in between.

The Loire is France’s longest river, and also home to a large and varied wine making region. Crisp sparklers, mineral-driven whites, refreshing rosés and fruity reds, with choices from dry to sweet; this northern region seems to have it all! This tasting, led by Richard Vayda, ICE's resident sommelier, reviews some of the classic and essential wines of this ancient winemaking region. Discussions will include French wine regulations and labeling, as well as a taste of some regional cheeses, tastily illustrating the culinary adage: "What grows together, goes together"! The class will sample at least nine wines.

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.

From coasts to prairies, the diverse geography of America results in an abundance of meat and fish varieties that eventually end up on our plates, deliciously prepared. In this class, you will prepare dishes that celebrate this bounty and highlight famed regional preparations. On your menu: Chesapeake Bay crab cakes with sauce rémoulade; New York strip steak with onion rings; and broccoli-cauliflower gratin.