Only a food-obsessed town like New York could support the innumerable culinary schools tailored to both the novice and professional cook. The city’s residents, after all, aim to be king of the kitchen – and no one wants to be bested by a friend’s dinner party or neighbor’s barbecue. For those in need of a little help – and who doesn’t now and then? – we’ve featured a winning lineup of chefs who can turn your meal into a masterpiece through their cooking classes. The next time you entertain, your dishes will be the talk of the town.
Haute Cuisine
Institute of Culinary Education(ICE)
ICE is impressive: This top-notch culinary school runs the largest program of hands-on recreational cooking classes in the country. The kitchens are gorgeous, the staff kind and knowledgeable, and the Techniques of Fine Cooking series a safe bet for learning the fundamentals. But then, any class taught by Richard Ruben, Chris Gesualdi, or Toba Garrett will be worth your time.
50 West 23rd St., 800-522-4610, iceculinary.com
Outer Borough Boot Camp
The Brooklyn Kitchen
This neighborhood store, which sells a well-edited supply of cooking paraphernalia, also offers a practical and fun selection of classes geared toward the home cook, ranging from knife skills and tomato-canning to Vietnamese street food and pasta.
100 Frost St., 718-389-2982, thebrooklynkitchen.com
Taste of New York
Liz Young Tours
Interested in the food and drink highlights of a particular neighborhood, like Chinatown or Brooklyn Heights, but not sure where to start? Liz Young Tours offers high-end, escorted culinary trips that take you through the best of what each community has to offer. Sampling delicious food is a must on each tour, which run 3 to 4 hours, and typically include either lunch or dinner. Bring your appetite.
646-286-8065, lizyoungtours.com
Grape Escape
Otto
Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s bustling enoteca features 90-minute wine classes every Saturday and Sunday, hosted by one of the restaurant’s sommeliers. Cheese and house-cured meats are served during the class, but we look forward to sharing a bottle (or three) with friends over pasta and pizza when class is dismissed.
1 Fifth Ave., 212-995-9559
Bringing it Home
Bianca Savary-Bianco
This classically trained, Trinidad-born chef – who previously owned and operated an Italian restaurant – has worked with some of the best in the business. Her focus is on flavor, health, and freshness – with a flair for the upscale. Private classes in your own home start at $375, depending on product seasonality. Your guests will toast you – after every course.
