Summer schools for cooks on Long Island
Photos
Good buys for foodies
Cooking class at A la Carte Culinary Services
Summer's relaxed pace makes it the perfect time to learn new kitchen skills. Long Island's cooking schools offer a wide array of cooking classes, from intensive (60 hours of Baking Fundamentals at the Culinary Academy of Long Island in Syosset) to the extremely recreational (BBQ and Beer Tasting at A la Carte in Lynbrook). Here is a sampling:
NASSAU
A la Carte Culinary Services , 32 Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook (516-599-2922, alacartecs.com )
Polly Talbott's friendly school is a South Shore culinary draw. This summer, learn to make mozzarella from scratch in Homemade Mozzarella Plus (3 hours, $99). Other classes include Mediterranean Seafood Specialties (21/2 hours, $119), Little Plates (3 hours, $99), BBQ and Beer Tasting (3 hours, $119), Gourmet Girlfriends
(21/2 hours) and the popular series Date Night, which has couples learning to cook food from Tuscany, Sicily and Southern Italy on 3 separate nights ($189 a couple for each class, $480 for all 3). A la Carte also offers CAPS, or Culinary Arts Preliminary Series, a weeklong comprehensive program for young and teenage chefs (30 hours, $575).
The Chocolate Duck , 318 Main St., Farmingdale (516-249-0887; chocolateduck.com )
Newly installed in a larger space (just a few doors down from the original store), Long Island's epicenter of all things confectionery offers a number of programs during the summer, including beginning cake decorating (3 evenings, $95), chocolate molding and candy making (3 evenings, $150) and intermediate fondant (4 evenings, $425) in which you will learn to create effects such as wood, leather, metal and fabric. The brochure says: "You will also learn how to paint a cake properly."
Sur La Table , 1468 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, (516-365-3928; surlatable.com )
After discontinuing the cooking school a few years ago, Manhasset's Sur La Table is now back in the game with Nathalie Reid running the program and teaching many of the classes. Knife Skills Workshop ($70), Kids Cooking with Dad ($100 for 2), Thai Restaurant Favorites ($70), Gourmet Burgers ($70), Date Night: Sicily ($75). There is also a series of classes whose recipes are based on celebrity chefs such as Gourmet Sandwiches Inspired by Tom Colicchio ($80). Most classes run 21/2 to 3 hours. Sur La Table offers extensive programs for children and teens.
Viking Cooking School , 835 Franklin Ave., Garden City (516-877-1010; vikinghomechef.com
This Garden City school features both a hands-on kitchen and a demonstration theater, and both will be hopping this summer. Classes include Classic Cakes (4 hours, $160), Asian Street Food (3 hours, $99), Steakhouse Workshop (3 hours, $109), Basic Knife Skills (21/2 hours, $79), 90-minute "Best of" classes ($65) on Tuscany, Paris and grilling seafood; Girls Night Out classes (3 hours, $99) on the cuisines of Little Havana, the Greek Isles and the Caribbean Islands. Viking Cooking School also offers extensive programs for children and teens.
SUFFOLK
Alice Ross Hearth Studios , 15 Prospect St., Smithtown, (631-265-9335; aliceross.com )
The classes culinary historian Alice Ross offers in her Smithtown "hearth studio" explore the roots of American cookery, its ethnic and Native American origins. Summer classes include Kitchen Gardens of the Eighteenth Century (ingredients are drawn from Ross' garden; recipes are selected from early documents), Ice Creams (the class cooks early recipes using period equipment) and Strawberries (tracing the berry's introduction to Western cuisines through such dishes as soups, jellies, pies, creams). Classes include a full luncheon and range in price from $150 each for 3 students to $400 for 1.
Bravo! Nader , 9 Union Place, Huntington (631-425-7661; bravonader.com )
Chef-owner Nader Gebrin holds cooking classes ($100 each) at his cozy Huntington restaurant 1 or 2 Sundays a month. A 4-course meal is drawn from the restaurant's menu but, ultimately, it's what Gebrin feels like cooking - usually Southern Italian informed by his own Egyptian heritage. On May 24, he'll be demonstrating seafood salad, tuna tartare, roasted rack of lamb and lobster risotto. Another class is scheduled for June 7. While he cooks, the kitchen prepares the same meal for all the guests (no more than 30 people), and then everyone eats an early supper complete with wine (or beer or soda) and Bravo! Nader's famous Napoleon for dessert. Check the Web site for classes in July and August.
Culinary Academy of Long Island , 125 Michael Dr., Syosset (516-364-4344; culinaryacademy.edu )
Although principally a professional school, CALI offers 2 courses for serious amateurs. Cooking Fundamentals ($2,395) meets for 6 hours on 8 consecutive Saturdays, starting June 6, and covers French, Italian, American, Latin American and Asian cuisines. Baking Fundamentals ($2,395) meets for 6 hours on 10 consecutive Saturdays, starting June 27, and covers cookies, custards, yeast breads, quick breads, pies and tarts, chocolate and candies, cookies, cakes and cake decorating. Prices include a uniform and a tool kit.
Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center , Suffolk County Community College, 20 E. Main St., Riverhead (631-451-4114; www3.sunysuffolk.edu/continuinged/ )
Long Island's newest culinary school is an accredited college preparing students for careers in the food-service industry. But it also offers an array of recreational courses. This summer's courses include Paella and Trimmings for a Crowd, Sushi Rolls 101, A Taste of Thailand, Grilling Dinner Party and Easy Finger Foods. Classes are 4 hours and cost $85.
Loaves and Fishes Cooking School at the Bridgehampton Inn , 2266 Main St., Bridgehampton (631-537-3586; landfcookshop.com )
Loaves and Fishes, the specialty market and kitchenware store, runs a cooking school at the Bridgehampton Inn. Summer classes include Classic Techniques: Barbecue (3 hours), Hamptons Sushi Party (3 hours), The Beach Party (3 hours), Romance in Morocco and Spa Cuisine (3 hours). Daytime classes are $69, evening classes are $99. There also are weeklong teens culinary camp sessions in July and August.
Western Suffolk BOCES , 17 Westminster Ave., Dix Hills (631-667-6000, Ext. 320; wilsontech.org/adults.cfm
A hotbed of culinary activity during the school year, BOCES offers a few summer classes, among them Cakes, Tortes and Tarts (12 hours over 4 nights, $165) and Culinary Boot Camp, a 1-night introduction to the catering business ($115). Also on offer, Kids Culinary Camp.
