"The trip as a whole...I couldn't ask for more. The itinerary did no justice to how wonderful the trip was." - Ashley Tarkington
"Great planning. Not one minute went by that we were not enjoying a new experience or surprised. Mission accomplished." - Sandra Shafer
"The whole trip was awesome. Thank you for the chance of a lifetime." - Debora Pipkin
"Thank you so much for this trip. It was awesome and memorable. Would take a tour with you anytime." - Alexandra Earle
"This trip was far beyond my already high expectations. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone." - Andrew Martinez
Student Tours - Culinary
Study Tour Destinations for Culinary Students include:
* Northern California/Sonoma/Napa
* Costa Rica and Mexico
* New York City
* France Italy and Spain
* China/Thailand/Hong Kong/Singapore
Tropical Cooking School in Costa Rica
Culinary students are invited to Costa Rica, the #1 Destination Worldwide for Nature & Adventure, to experience first hand the unique cuisine of this tiny country. There are actually 3 distinct cuisines using local fruits and vegetables and influenced by the Spanish, Africans and Caribbeans during various periods of their colorful history. All classes are taught by local cooks in hands-on classes held at a secluded lodge in the Central Valley.
Between their classes students will hike through the rainforest to visit archaeological sites, a coffee plantation, a volcano, enjoy white water rafting, and mingle with the locals. One highlight is a visit to CATIE, one of the worlds' largest agricultural research centers, where students are introduced to tropical fruits. A visit to a working hacienda provides knowledge of the processing of coffee, macadamia nuts and sugar cane.
One particular highlight of the tour is the processing of locally grown cacao beans into chocolate for a cake to bring home! Plus a hands-on cheese making class using milk from local cows.
A last day in capital city San Jose allows time for shopping for local crafts. OR add a day at the Caribbean Coast.
Some sample pictures of Northern California tours
Culinary Institute, Alain & Marie LeNotre
A Week in the Big Apple
A Culinary Tour of New York City
Spend a week in the City That Never Sleeps! Begin with a half-day sightseeing tour of uptown and downtown. Enjoy a gospel brunch in Harlem or a cruise around Manhattan. Industry appointments include a visit to a major hotel kitchen and large catering company. Visit the Union Square Green Market and Chelsea Market, the former Nabisco Baking plant. Shops here include Bowery Kitchen Supply, Buon Italiano, Eleni's, Amy's Bread, Sarabeth's Kitchen and The Food Network. Around the corner is the new Balducci's specialty food store.
Walk through the Lower East Side and learn about Kosher cooking, pickles and bagels. Explore Chinatown and Little Italy and sample their ethnic fare. Hands-on lessons may include an Italian cheese class and traditional pasta making. Dine in some of the city's finest restaurants and enjoy the chocolate creations at Payard or Jacques Torres.
Hop on the train and travel along the Hudson River past Tarrytown to the New York wine country. Spend the day tasting local wines and enjoying the New York countryside.
A trip to New York would not be complete without a stop at the top of the Empire State Building and an evening at the theater on Broadway!
* Northern California/Sonoma/Napa
* Costa Rica and Mexico
* New York City
* France Italy and Spain
* China/Thailand/Hong Kong/Singapore
Tropical Cooking School in Costa RicaCulinary students are invited to Costa Rica, the #1 Destination Worldwide for Nature & Adventure, to experience first hand the unique cuisine of this tiny country. There are actually 3 distinct cuisines using local fruits and vegetables and influenced by the Spanish, Africans and Caribbeans during various periods of their colorful history. All classes are taught by local cooks in hands-on classes held at a secluded lodge in the Central Valley.
Between their classes students will hike through the rainforest to visit archaeological sites, a coffee plantation, a volcano, enjoy white water rafting, and mingle with the locals. One highlight is a visit to CATIE, one of the worlds' largest agricultural research centers, where students are introduced to tropical fruits. A visit to a working hacienda provides knowledge of the processing of coffee, macadamia nuts and sugar cane.One particular highlight of the tour is the processing of locally grown cacao beans into chocolate for a cake to bring home! Plus a hands-on cheese making class using milk from local cows.
A last day in capital city San Jose allows time for shopping for local crafts. OR add a day at the Caribbean Coast.
| Napa Valley Wine Country Tour | OR |
The Cheesey Tour of Sonoma and Alexander Valleys |
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| Both weeklong culinary tours are designed to introduce students to the wide array of culinary treasures found into Northern California. They will spend the first 3 days in San Francisco, the City by the Bay. A half-day tour highlights the city's famous sites. They will tour the Ferry Building Marketplace and sample a variety of local cheeses and other treats. Enjoy a tour of Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach and Chinatown and a typical dim sum lunch. Add a trip to Berkeley, home of Scharffenberger Chocolate and Alice Waters' Chez Panisse. The next 3 days may be spent in Napa Valley. Here they will taste some of the fine wines of this rich region. They will visit COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts and tour the lush fruit and herb gardens plus enjoy a box lunch on the patio. In Napa, students will taste wines the region is known for paired with local cheese. |
On to Sonoma to explore the bounty of the region. Our tour here includes bread making, a hands-on cheese making class, and a farmer's market tour. A tour of an olive ranch and olive oil tasting. Wine tasting and fine dining. Visit to Hog Island or Tomales Bay Oyster Company on the coast. An early morning mushroom hunt! Our emphasis in Sonoma will be on the locally grown organic vegetables and the goat, sheep and cows' milk cheeses, hand made by local artisans and the outstanding wines of the region. |
Some sample pictures of Northern California tours
Culinary Institute, Alain & Marie LeNotre
A Week in the Big Apple
A Culinary Tour of New York CitySpend a week in the City That Never Sleeps! Begin with a half-day sightseeing tour of uptown and downtown. Enjoy a gospel brunch in Harlem or a cruise around Manhattan. Industry appointments include a visit to a major hotel kitchen and large catering company. Visit the Union Square Green Market and Chelsea Market, the former Nabisco Baking plant. Shops here include Bowery Kitchen Supply, Buon Italiano, Eleni's, Amy's Bread, Sarabeth's Kitchen and The Food Network. Around the corner is the new Balducci's specialty food store.
Walk through the Lower East Side and learn about Kosher cooking, pickles and bagels. Explore Chinatown and Little Italy and sample their ethnic fare. Hands-on lessons may include an Italian cheese class and traditional pasta making. Dine in some of the city's finest restaurants and enjoy the chocolate creations at Payard or Jacques Torres.
Hop on the train and travel along the Hudson River past Tarrytown to the New York wine country. Spend the day tasting local wines and enjoying the New York countryside.
A trip to New York would not be complete without a stop at the top of the Empire State Building and an evening at the theater on Broadway!