Serious Eats: New York
Learn It, Don't Burn It: NYC Food Classes, 5/28 to 6/5
Here's yet another serving of some delicious educational opportunities to get down and dirty for the approaching weekend and the following week. All classes listed still have openings, but if you hear otherwise, please let us know.
'Summer Hors D'oeuvres' at LITM
Saturday, May 30, 12 to 2 p.m., $30
Executive Chef Todd Villani (who previously worked with Aquavit's Marcus Samuelsson) brings quickly prepared summer appetizers to this hands-on lesson, which features tartar with cucumber, beets and mango with smoked goat cheese, shrimp salad with brioche, and gazpacho. Complimentary lunch and wine are included; the restaurant is a quick fifteen minute PATH ride from lower Manhattan.
LITM (Love Is The Message), 140 Newark Avenue (b/n Grove and Barrow), Jersey City; 201-536-5557; brownpapertickets.com or litm.com for more info
'Tasting Wine Like a Master: The Art of Blind Tasting' at Astor Center
Monday, June 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $55
A wine tasting session for those skeptical of the fancy-schmancy winespeak and hints of "ripe blackberries." This casual night will give a different perspective on tasting, since you won't know what kind of wine you're drinking until after you describe it.
Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street (at East 4th Street), Manhattan; 212-674-7501; astorcenternyc.com for info and registration
'Polenta with Julia Jaksic of Employees Only' at Whole Foods Bowery
Monday, June 1, 6:30 to 9 p.m., $50
This new class design at Whole Foods kicks off investigating the fine art of polenta. Students will tour the store to find the ingredient, watch Jaksic whip up some amazing dishes inspired by simple ingredients, and then eat her creations. Dishes include Italian sausage and mushrooms over polenta squares, sauerkraut and bacon polenta with poached eggs, and polenta pound cake with summer fruits. Class is limited to 12 people.
Whole Foods Bowery, 95 East Houston Street (at Bowery), Manhattan; 212-420-1320; acteva.com for info and registration
Coffee mastery, restaurant design, and classic Italian dishes—after the jump.
'Coffee Expert: From Plant to Cup' at ICC
Monday, June 1, and Tuesday, June 2, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $595
According to a serious eater's previous report, this two-day class developed by Illy covers all the necessities for the coffee lover, from the history of the bean, to tasting and barista techniques.
International Culinary Center, 462 Broadway (at Grand Street), Manhattan; 888-324-CHEF; internationalculinarycenter.com for info and registration
'Restaurant Design: Perspectives on Reviews, Trends, and the Future' at Municipal Arts Society
Tuesday, June 2, 6 to 8 p.m., $50
This discussion with chefs and designers focuses on how restaurant design and cuisine work together, and what we can expect to see in the future. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Municipal Arts Society, 457 Madison Avenue (at East 51st Street), Manhattan; 800-883-3307; culintro.com for info and registration
'Techniques of Italian Cooking' at ICE
Wednesday, June 3 to Wednesday, July 7, 6 to 10:30 p.m., $525
Even if you weren't born Italian, you can fake it by taking this five-part class. Lesson topics vary and include multiple classic Italian dishes, including pasta with bolognese sauce, zabaglione, saltimbocca alla Romana, tiramisu, foccacia, stuffed artichokes, potato gnocchi, mussels in marinara, amaretto cake, and more.
The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street (at Sixth Avenue), Manhattan; 800-522-4610; web.iceculinary.com for more info and registration
'Vegetarian Cooking' at Miette Culinary Studio
Thursday, June 4, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $80
Perfect for the vegetarian who loves cheese, this hands-on class covers rich meatless dishes inspired by Greek, Italian, and French cuisines. On the menu: gougeres en fromage, spicy orange salad with feta cheese, olives, and baby spinach, spinach ricotta gnocchi with sage butter, and raspberry sorbet.
Miette Culinary Studio, 109 MacDougal Street, Suite 2 (at Minetta Lane), Manhattan; 212-460-9322; mietteculinarystudio.com for info and registration