The French Steakhouse

The South is quite possibly the most delicious region in the country. It's hard not to love its fried...well, its fried everything, plus its braised vegetables and its mile-high pies and cakes. In the land of biscuits and sweet tea, life centers around mealtimes. Come learn a few of those Southern favorites, including: pimento cheese; Southern fried chicken; slow-roasted barbecue ribs; biscuits with honey butter; and braised collard greens. You will sip on sweet tea to complete your feast.

These dishes capture the flavors and techniques of so many exciting, flavor-forward global cuisines. Spanning the gamut from Mexico to the Middle East, these small but satisfying plates are perfect for parties --- or collect them all to make a masterful (and entirely vegan) meal. We'll create and then feast on: Egyptian baba ghanoush and hummus; Argentinian hearts of palm, tomato and avocado salad; Italian roasted cauliflower with capers; and Balinese chili-grilled tempeh skewers.

These lavish desserts aren't merely bursts of sweet pleasure --- all of them include an alcoholic bonus. Whether incorporating Kahlua, whiskey, or tequila as essential ingredients, you'll love making these treats first in class, then at home. Few can resist this menu of: margarita pie dessert shots; dark chocolate and Kahlua brownies; and whiskey truffles.

Once you master essential cooking techniques, you possess the culinary grounding to cook both classical cuisines and the latest cooking styles. These full-participation classes teach fundamental skills, not just recipes. Most important, 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. The course consists of four 6-hour classes. Fine Cooking 1 is a prerequisite to Fine Cooking 2. The course completes in four days.