Rhode Island has a long history of culinary education.
There are many options for people who want to take summer cooking classes in Rhode Island. Residents can check with their local community education groups, as well as local colleges and universities, to see what courses are being offered during June, July and August. In addition to those options, there are several special options for classes to explore.
Johnson & Wales
Johnson & Wales University (jwu.edu) provides undergraduate and graduate education in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. You don't need to be enrolled at the University to take classes at Johnson & Wales; their Chef's Choice program offers one-day classes on a variety of topics, such as Spa Cuisine, Basic Skills and Sushi Made Easy. Johnson & Wales also offers special programs for children, teens and an all-day summer camp.
Chef Walter's Cooking School
Chef Walter Potenza, who has started five successful restaurants and caf s, written a cookbook, starred in two local TV shows and opened an organic food market and caf , runs Chef Walter's Cooking School (chefwalter.com) on Providence's Federal Hill. His classes teach students topics such as Essentials of Tuscan Cooking, The Righteous Rice - Risotto and The Art of Terra Cotta Cookery. He also leads cooking tours to Italy. Chef Walter's classes run all year, and all classes are followed by dinner. Group cooking lessons are available y appointment.
Woody Hill Bed & Breakfast
Students who wish to learn 18th century open-hearth cooking can learn prepare authentic colonial dishes at the Woody Hill Bed & Breakfast (woodyhill.com). The classes feature 18th century antique and reproduction cookware. Students will prepare an entire colonial meal and experience all aspects of open-hearth meal preparation from bringing in the wood to cooking. Classes are designed for groups of six to eight students and last from four to six hours.
Food and Wine Tours with Cindy Salvato
Chef Cindy Salvato (savoringrhodeisland.com) runs behind-the-scenes tours of Providence's Federal Hill markets and restaurants. Her "Savoring Federal Hill VIP Tour" provides participants with an opportunity to not only learn about all the area has to offer, but also to watch chefs prepare foods such as ravioli and mozzarella. Salvato maintains that guests will not only learn about select Italian foods, but cook with them. Tours run Monday through Friday, by appointment only.
Tags: Chef Walter, Federal Hill, Johnson Wales, Rhode Island, 18th century, Chef Walter Cooking