The Cookie Jar

Often overlooked by casual wine drinkers, this ancient grape-growing and winemaking area is a star in many enthusiasts’ cellars. Passing back and forth between Germany and France several times throughout history, Alsace's Germanic influence in grape varieties and labeling is clear, but the French style of the wines shines through. While featuring fragrant dry Rieslings, Alsace offers many other charms, including delicate Pinot Noirs, sparkling Crémant d’Alsace, and other luscious late-harvest examples. Join Richard Vayda, ICE's resident sommelier, on an exploration of the history, wine regulations, labeling and, most important, wines of this classic wine region. The class will sample nine or more wines, accompanied by matching snacks.

One of the world's oldest cultures, China has a complex cuisine, with a range of regional dishes often not found anywhere outside of the country. Some techniques, ingredients and dishes are similar throughout all of China; this Essentials class focuses on those, giving you a well-rounded overview of Chinese food and culinary culture. From stir-frying and braising to steaming and red cooking, you will learn to use traditional Chinese techniques to make a menu that includes: scallion pancakes with dipping sauce; red-cooked chicken with rice; dan dan noodles; and Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.

Move over Bordeaux and Burgundy, wine from France's south is more and more becoming the go-to area for flavorsome as well as thoughtful selections. This region is not only one of the oldest wine regions of France, but also a top producer, second only to Bordeaux. The prime regions lie along the Rhône, but the subregions and many appellations - as well as the numerous grape varieties permitted - make for a varied and interesting wine selection. Certainly, delicious reds such as savory Syrahs of the northern Rhône or classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but also rich whites and refreshing rosés. Richard Vayda, ICE's resident sommelier, will host the evening's regional wine survey. Snacks for pairing will be served, with at least 9 wines included in the tasting.

You want to make great food in a minimum amount of time, but don't have a clue how to go about it. Or you're on your own for the first time and have discovered that eating out is expensive and takeout is tiresome! You need a small repertoire of dishes for daily dining, but you can barely manage instant coffee. Does this sound like you? Then this is the course to take. We assume you know nothing --- absolutely nothing --- about cooking and take it from there. In three relaxed, fun-filled classes, we'll get you on your cooking feet, teaching you how to prepare simple, healthful, delicious food. You'll learn about basic cooking equipment and menu planning; knife skills, including vegetable chopping and paring; how to make salad, vinaigrette, and other easy no-cook dishes; how to roast garlic and root vegetables; how to prepare delicious pasta; how to sauté and roast meats and more; and how to make desserts in minutes. You will learn to make three complete meals in three easy lessons, including: guacamole and chips, make-your-own taco bar, tres leches cake; classic Caesar salad, roast Cornish hens with root vegetables, and blueberry crisp; shrimp cocktail and garlic bread, classic fettuccini alfredo, arugula and radicchio salad with apples and glazed walnuts, and ice cream tiramisu