I have mentioned before how much I enjoy receiving the course offerings brochure from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.  Well I was reviewing September’s classes and noticed that during our upcoming Italian Food & Festival Tour of New York City (9/11-14), ICE is offering a number of Italian theme cooking classes for that weekend.

As if there wasn’t enough reasons to join us in New York, here are eight more:

• Italian Cheese & Wine
• Pizza In Rome
• Basics of Tuscan Cooking
• The Italian Steakhouse
• Essentials of Sicilian Cooking
• Arthur Ave Walking Tour
• Essentials of Tuscan Cooking
• Pizza, Pizza - A Class For Mom & Dads w/kids

I am planning on attending the Italian Steakhouse class for Saturday evening. The menu looks absolutely wonderful!

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

9/12/09 - The Italian Steakhouse:Bold, natural flavors dominate the steak tradition of Italy, and you’ll learn to prepare two versions—Florentina and Pizzaiola. You’ll also make the classic accompaniments to these dishes, a trio of great starters and one fabulous dessert. On the menu: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (classic grilled porterhouse flavored with olive oil, lemon and garlic); Bistecca Pizzaiola (seared strip steak garnished with tomato sauce); Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms; Bruschetta with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes; Grilled Shrimp with Rosemary; Tuscan Bean Purée with Sage; Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins; Risotto Milanese; and Tiramisu.
Duration: 4.5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Instructor: Daniel Stone
Tuition: $125 per person

We’ve updated our Italian Food & Festivals weekend by adding a walking and tasting tour of Greenwich Village, which is still steeped in its ethnic Italian origin. During our three hours guided tasting tour we will make stops at Italian specialty foods stores, an olive oil company, a 100-year old Italian meat store, bakeries and a couple of pizza shops. It should be a wonderful addition to our weekend.

We still have some availability for the Italian Food & Festivals Weekend. The 3nt/4day tour starts at only $579 per person, double occupancy. Contact our office at 888-685-0260 or email jstacy@itsyourtrip.com to sign up.

Bon Appetit!

If you are of a similar age as me you may remember the old Sears and Roebuck Holiday Catalog. These massive phonebook sized wish books would provide hours of entertainment flipping through them to see what secrets they revealed. As a child I remember searching through it trying to glean what neat new toy or gift to ask Santa.

I had a flashback of the recently when the New York City Institute of Culinary Education’s Summer 2009 catalog arrived in my mailbox. While it is not as massive as the old Sears Catalog it is still jam packed with hours of delightful diversions.  ICE’s recreational cooking program boasts the largest hands-on cooking program in the world and looking at the dozens and dozens of courses I would have no reason to doubt the claim.

Their courses cover the basics of knife work and kitchen craft to regional tastes and cooking classes. They bring together celebrity chefs, cookbook authors and local culinary stars to teach their courses. The classes range from a couple of hours to a couple of days.

One of the more impressive offerings is a five day “Global Culinary Adventure of New York City.” The class explores China flavors, French, Italian, Latin influences and final American. The program includes hands-on cooking lessons, tours of ethnic neighborhoods visiting some well-known and off the beaten path markets, plus you will visit six restaurants that exemplify New York’s global influences. The course is offered twice during the next six months: June 22-26 and Oct 19-23rd. It is listed at a very reasonable $1250 for the classes and tastings. Hotel and transfers are extra. If you are interested in the program you can contact us at jstacy@itsyourtrip.com or ICE directly at 212-847-0700. 

Ice Summer Catalog

Welcome to Little Italy, NYC

JOIN US FOR AN ITALIAN FOOD & FESTIVALS IN NEW YORK CITY (Sept 11-14, 2009)

3nt/4day Food and Festivals Weekend in NYC from $579 per person, double occupancy

Enjoy a long weekend of eating and touring the two best Italian festivals in New York City. Experience the Feast of San Gennero and the Arthur Avenue Ferragusto Festival, savor a cultural and food tasting tour of Greenwich Village; explore the Italian shops, delis and bakeries in the Chelsea Market, Greenwich Village’s Bleecker Street, Little Italy’s Mulberry Street and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Experience the sights of Manhattan with an evening harbor cruise.

Highlights:

• Little Italy’s San Gennero Festival
• Arthur Avenue’s Ferragusto Festival
• Walking and tasting tour of Greenwich Village
• 2hr evening harbor cruise around Manhattan - view Ellis Island & the Statute of Liberty
• 3nts Fairfield Inn Times Square Hotel with breakfast daily
• Optional Italian Cooking Classes Available from The Institute of Culinary Education

Our group is limited to sixteen guests so reserve today! Transportation to New York City is not included but we can assist with finding you the best airfare.

Package Price:
$579 per person, double occupancy
$499 per person, triple or quad occupancy
$899 per person, single occupancy

Weekend Overview:

One of the great things about New York City is the many street festivals celebrating the ethic diversity of this great city. For our Italian Festivals weekend we will experience three wonderful New York Italian neighborhoods: Manhattan, the Bronx’s and Greenwich Village. Each boasts a strong Italian flavor. We will visit shops, delis and eat our way through New York City. What a great way to spend a weekend!

Following your Friday morning flight to NYC, we will meet at our Times Square hotel to travel Mulberry Street and Little Italy, home of the oldest, biggest religious street festival in NYC. The 82nd Annual Festival of San Gennero is a salute to the Patron Saint of Naples. The festival features parades, entertainment, ethnic food stands and of course merchants selling their wares.

Saturday begins with a morning visit to Chelsea Market. Built in 1898 it was the original Nabisco Bakery where the Oreo Cookie was created. Now it houses 12 of the cities best food shops including several outstanding Italian bakeries and the Boun Italia Deli. It also features the production studios for Food Network shows such as Emeril Live!

Next we will enjoy walking food and culture tour of Greenwich Village, which is still steeped in its ethnic Italian origin. During our guided tasting tour we will make stops at Italian specialty foods stores, an olive oil company, a 100-year old Italian meat store, bakeries and a couple of pizza shops. Later you will have some free time to relax or explore Midtown Manhattan before our evening 2-hour harbor cruise with a view of the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island, the entry point for many Italian immigrants.

Sunday morning is free to explore New York City. This afternoon we travel to the Bronx for the annual Arthur Avenue’s Ferragusto Festival, which is a major Italian national holiday. While its technically the Catholic Feast of Assumption, the Italians pretty much treat it like a Fourth of July Weekend. Arthur Avenue is like stepping back into the Little Italy of the 1950’s. Less touristy than the San Gennero Festival it’s a wonderful family day of food, wine and song.

Monday morning you will head home after a great weekend in New York City.

For more information or to sign up for the tour - please contact John Stacy @ 614/306-6091 or jstacy@itsyourtrip.com

Sample classes offered by ICE the weekend we are in New York City:

9/11/09 - Pizza In Rome: Rome’s pizzas, known for their thin crusts and judiciously chosen toppings, are famous around the world. Join pizza expert Gerri Sarnataro for a class devoted to replicating this Roman classic at home. You’ll make Quattro Formaggi (four cheese) Pizza; Fiori di Zucca (zucchini flower) Pizza; Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Pizza; Tomato, Mozzarella and Eggplant Pizza; Mozzarella and Sausage Pizza; Alici (anchovy) Pizza; and Ensalada Verde.
Duration: 5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Instructor: Gerry Sarnataro
Tuition: $110 per person

9/12/09 - Essentials of Tuscan Cooking: The simple yet refined flavors of Tuscan cooking are world-famous, and with good reason. Whether the product of one of Florence’s great restaurants or the simple dishes from a country kitchen, the integrity of Tuscan cooking has won applause for centuries. Learn some of the secrets of this venerable cuisine as you make and enjoy Bellinis (sparkling wine and peach juice cocktails); Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms; Pear and Fennel Salad; Crostini with Roasted Eggplant; Tuscan Chicken with White Beans; Pork Chops with Olives and Fennel Seeds; Florentine Porterhouse Steak; Cippolline Agro Dolce; Oranges in Marsala Glaze; and Almond and Anise Biscotti with Vin Santo.
Duration: 4.5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Instructor: ICE Staff Instructor
Tuition: $120 per person

9/12/09 - The Italian Steakhouse: Bold, natural flavors dominate the steak tradition of Italy, and you’ll learn to prepare two versions—Florentina and Pizzaiola. You’ll also make the classic accompaniments to these dishes, a trio of great starters and one fabulous dessert. On the menu: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (classic grilled porterhouse flavored with olive oil, lemon and garlic); Bistecca Pizzaiola (seared strip steak garnished with tomato sauce); Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms; Bruschetta with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes; Grilled Shrimp with Rosemary; Tuscan Bean Purée with Sage; Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins; Risotto Milanese; and Tiramisu.
Duration: 4.5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Instructor: Daniel Stone
Tuition: $125 per person

Please note that optional ICE course tuition is in addition to the package price listed above. In addition, these classes may conflict with a group schedule activity. There will be no refund for unused portions of the weekend package.