Essential Skills 2

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.

Elevate your Indian cooking skills with our "Essentials of Indian Cooking II" class. Explore the diverse flavors of India as you learn to prepare an authentic menu of Whole Wheat Chapati, Rogan Josh, Saucy Shrimp Vindaloo, Tadka Dal, Fragrant Cumin Rice Pulao , and Mango Lassi. Our expert chef will guide you through the techniques and ingredients that make Indian cuisine so flavorful and aromatic.

Travel the world with hearty and vibrant vegetarian entrees from around the globe! These international standouts will quickly become your go-to recipes for any day of the week. Healthful, flavor-packed and a snap to make, this is a menu you'll love learning together. We'll make all three dishes, from comfort food to Asian specialties to Mexican mains, then sit down to this meal of: sesame-crusted Asian tofu with garlic-fried wild rice; enchiladas suizas with cheese and roasted vegetables; and orecchiette pasta with roasted cauliflower and caramelized onions.

Combine light, flaky crust and seasonal summer fruit fillings to wow any crowd! ICE pastry chefs will give you all the secrets for making a perfect pie crust, teaching you the same techniques and tips used by ICE career pastry grads at New York's top restaurants. Working in teams of two, you'll make two 6-inch pies from scratch. Choose from: strawberry rhubarb crumble; peach pie with almond crumble; blueberry lattice; and cherry lattice.