New Orleans Cocktail Brunch

Italy produces wine from hundreds of different grape varieties, making its wine varied and engaging, yet perhaps a bit hard to grasp. This tasting concentrates on the wines from Toscana, Italy's third-largest quality wine-producing region. Although many of the wines are Sangiovese-based, the distinctive terroirs and other cultivated varieties offer a diverse tasting opportunity, ranging from some tasty whites to Old World and even international-style reds, topping off with traditional sweet. ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, will also discuss Tuscan wine history and Italian wine labeling. Regional cheeses will accompany the eight or more wines featured in the tasting.

The highest quality knife can be rendered useless — and even dangerous — if it’s dull. In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to sharpen your knives using traditional Japanese whetstone techniques from Korin's Knife Sharpener, Vincent Kazuhito Lau. Vincent will employ the sharpening method passed down to him from Master Chiharu Sugai and Grand Master Shouzou Mizuyama (one of Japan's top knife sharpeners). We encourage you to bring your own knives to sharpen and receive maintenance tips. At the end of class, you’ll get to touch, feel, and — if you desire — purchase Japanese knives and accessories.

Israel, considered the center of the universe in ancient times, is at the juncture of Europe, Asia and Africa, with its coast on the Mediterranean. Its cuisine reflects the influences of all of the cultures around it, and the refugees who have settled there in modern times. You'll explore modern and traditional Israeli cooking when you make: cheese bourekas (flaky pastry-filled puffs); fried cauliflower with tahini sauce; chicken meatballs in tomato sauce with toasted Israeli couscous; and fattoush (pita salad).

While paella may be Spain's most well-known dish, the country has so much more to explore. It’s a culinary dream-spot for trying new flavors and combinations of ingredients. This class will help you discover new favorites, including stuffed piquillo peppers; pan con tomate; grilled shrimp with Romesco sauce; pork marinated in pomegranate and a watercress salad.