Techniques of Chocolate Intensive

Take a page from one of the world's most romantic countries (and cuisines) as you and your partner produce flavor-packed French favorites and gain new culinary knowledge. We'll make a complete meal that highlights the best ingredients and preparations France has to offer, including: tuna niçoise tartine; butter lettuce salad with radish and avocado in a creamy lemon-dijon dressing; coq au vin and pommes aligot.

Japanese cuisine is a sophisticated affair, where the aesthetics of the final dish are as important as its taste. Sushi, tempura and shabu-shabu are among its most common exports, but only offer a small glimpse at the richness and variety of dishes found throughout the country. This class will offer you an overview of the foods of Japan, along with a discussion of ingredients and equipment. You will make dashi broth and miso soup; beef negimaki; pork katsudon with rice; and shrimp and vegetable tempura.

Master some of Thai cuisine's greatest hits. You and a loved one will learn all about this country's exciting dishes and fresh ingredients, with their distinctly complex spicy, sweet, sour and salty components. You and your loved one will make and enjoy: green papaya salad; pad thai; yellow chicken curry; and green shrimp curry.

The lush, green Pacific Northwest is famous for its wild salmon, oysters and beers, but that's just the tip of the gastronomic iceberg. Its forests are home to mushrooms and berries that turn up in countless recipes. Cedar planks become grilling beds for fish, meat and vegetables, imparting them with the unmistakable flavor of the Northwest. You will learn how to use these techniques and ingredients to make: Pacific oysters with mignonette; pan seared salmon with crispy skin and blackberry sauce; sautéed mushrooms and herbs; salt-and-vinegar potatoes; and kale, hazelnut and goat cheese salad. You will enjoy those with a selection of wines from the region.