Cooking Classes with a Twist: Holiday and Learning Rolled into One
Somewhere within us is a great cook dying to showcase his/her culinary skills to the whole world. Or, well, at least to close friends and family! But not everyone has the natural talent for sugar and spice and all things nice. That’s why most people seek out cooking classes that will help them develop a better understanding of food, hone their skills, and help them survive in the kitchen without burning it down.
If you are too lazy to join the average cooking class class, this article is especially for you. Forget the mundane hotel stays; here are some fantastic ways to sharpen your culinary skills without the stress of a routine cookery class.
Hotel Madeline, Telluride
Set high in the mountains of Telluride, Colorado, Hotel Madeline is among the finest in the business. Avid skiers, mountain bikers and snow boarders make a beeline to this resort because of its excellent facilities to adventurers and their more passive companions alike.
The hotel has a special package for those of you who are “culinarily” inclined. Called ‘In the Kitchen with Madeline’, get a lesson in cooking from one of Telluride’s top chefs, Jake Linzinmeir. You can choose from a range of scheduled classes. For someone that needs a little more convincing, they also throw in a special savory spice basket and spa treatment. What a great cookery class that!
The Peninsula Academy
There is a Peninsula Hotel in Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Hong Kong, Manila and Beijing. They have therefore brilliantly designed special courses stemming from specialties in food, art and culture unique to the locations, such as tempura and dim sums in Hong Kong or Thai food in Bangkok.
You are guided through the courses by the best of local experts with the usual class size being restricted to only two! You want to share your teachers’ attention with more, well they can arrange for that rather quickly. There is no end to learning now, is there?
Hotel Principe Di Savoia, Milano
Milan is playing host to truffle hunting parties besides the usual fashion folk. The Hotel Principe Di Savoia has special ‘Truffle Tasting Package’ for its guests. There is a buffet breakfast for two, truffle hunting with dogs, a 4 course lunch usually featuring black truffle (or white – price extra), and a tour of the Alba Truffle Fair in October and November.
A transfer from the hotel to and from the Piedmont region, homeland of the best Italian truffles, and a Class E Mercedes and chauffeur and the standard limousines to take to other local interests are for that uber-luxuriant feel, not to forget the club, fitness and beauty centers. Want truffles? Head to Milano!
Hotel Crillon le Brave, Provence
The Provence province of France brings to mind romance and relaxation and weddings and wanderings. Now get ready to add cooking, grape harvesting, cheese tasting and truffle hunting thanks to the hotel Crillon le Brave. Besides being one of the best resorts in the area, it has many packages to choose from.
Autumn Truffle Weekends offers truffle hunting, cheese tasting, and much, much more. For those that can keep their wits about them amidst so much excitement, you can pick up some Provençal preparations under the guidance of the Head Chef.
