The Institute of Culinary Education is located in New York City and offers recreational cooking classes every day of the year, sometimes with multiple classes per day. Travelers interested in a weekend trip to the city can sign up for a variety of cooking and baking classes at the school, all of which are taught by professional chefs. This is more of a self-catering vacation, meaning that lodging is not included. Classes include such subjects as cheese, Asian cuisine, French cooking, soups, sauces and many others. A daily schedule is available on the website of the school, along with tuition and sign-up information.
Vintage Hudson Valley offers cooking weekends with classes on Saturday mornings beginning at 10:30am and last for approximately two hours. They take place at various famous locations in New York's Hudson Valley, such as the Rhinecliff Hotel and Equus at the Castle, so many attendees stay for the whole weekend. Professional chefs teach the courses, which are followed by a four-course meal with wine pairings. Classes focus on local, regional and seasonal fare.
The Hartstone Inn, located in Camden, Maine, offers weekend packages that include lodging, two cooking classes, breakfast each day and dinner each evening. The classes last for two hours each afternoon, so guests have additional time to explore and enjoy the area. Courses are taught by the chef at the Inn and include such topics as Mediterranean cuisine, Maine seafood, chocolate making, cuisine of Tuscany, lobster and gourmet food on a budget. The classes vary each weekend, but the schedule is posted in advance on the Inn's website.
Gourmet Weekend Retreats, located in California's Napa Valley, offers a variety of weekend courses that focus on the location and the season. The classes are offered for four to five hours each on Fridays and Saturdays and include a lesson on food preparation in addition to eating the finished products. Topics include such things as local Napa Valley cuisine, Mediterranean flavors, summer grilling and flavors of the fall. Private weekend sessions are also available, and a bed and breakfast is located on the premises for students interested in staying on the property.
