Scrumptious Gift Ideas to Thrill that Special Someone  

Looking for a unique and delicious gift that really will keep on giving?

How about a gift certificate for one of our many great classes—or a delicious dining experience at L’Ecole? Food gifts are always a hit, but a class from The French Culinary Institute and Italian Studies program, will give anyone on your gift list valuable skills and techniques to last a lifetime.

All learning is hands-on, using our Total Immersion^SM approach with these intensive classes that are taught by the same faculty and in the same kitchens as our career students. No experience needed – just a love of good food.

Classes are offered throughout the year in a variety of schedules. The person receiving this gift will be able to choose their start date when they complete their enrollment. If you have any specific questions about class dates, please contact David Lopez in our Admission Department at 646-254-7522 or via email.

Purchasing a gift certificate is quick and easy. We’ll provide both a printable and paper gift certificate upon purchase so there is something to wrap and present. Just click on one of the classes below to get started. We’ve listed course dates below, but you don’t have to pick one to buy a gift.

COOKING CLINICS
For the first time ever, you can get a taste of the world-famous French Culinary Institute in short, convenient Cooking Clinics. With our intensive, hands-on approach, anyone can hone their culinary and baking skills in a very short amount of time. And, with plenty of night and weekend sessions, there’s sure to be a class that works with any schedule. Cooking clinics are offered on a variety of topics. Purchase a gift certificate for one of these fun classes today:

• Tapas Essentials (2 sessions, $650, Next class starts June 19, 2007)
• Breakfast Breads, Pastries, & More (5 sessions, $950, Next class starts May 14, 2007)
• Tarts & More (5 sessions, $950, Next class starts August 13, 2007)
• Charcuterie, Pâtés, & More (3 sessions, $750, Next class starts July 7, 2007)
• Decorating with Chocolate (3 sessions, $750, Next class starts July 10, 2007)
• Chocolate Desserts (3 sessions, $750, Next class starts July 17, 2007)
• Plating & Food Styling (2 sessions, $695, Next class starts July 28, 2007)
• Sugar Paste Flowers (3 sessions, $750, Next class starts September 22, 2007)
• Parisian Breads (3 sessions, $650, Next class starts November 6, 2007)
• Whole Grain Breads (3 sessions, $650, Next class starts November 13, 2007)

ESSENTIALS OF FINE COOKING
Whether that special someone is a confident cook or wants to be, they’ll feel like a chef in just eight sessions as they learn alongside the same distinguished Chef-Instructors, and in the same kitchens, that make our career courses so extraordinary. With our small, personalized classes, students master basic skills and sophisticated culinary techniques that will serve them well beyond. (8 sessions, $2,345) Purchase a gift certificate for Essentials of Fine Cooking here.

Upcoming course dates:
• September 10, 2007

Pastry Techniques
Know someone who longs to step into the shoes of a professional pastry chef? In our popular pastry course, serious amateurs work with chocolate, cakes and tarts, cookies, doughs, meringues, buttercreams, mousses—and conquer those impressive restaurant desserts. You'll learn to handle a pastry bag with grace, as sophisticated techniques and high-level pastry skills become second nature. (20 sessions, $5,875) Purchase a gift certificate for Pastry Techniques here.

Upcoming course date:
• April 21, 2007

Artisanal Bread Baking
Don't you love the aroma of fresh baked bread, hot and steaming from the oven? In Artisanal Bread Baking, you can learn to bake beautiful baguettes, fabulous foccacia, crusty ciabatta, braided yellow challah, and other delicious breads from around the world. You'll roll up your sleeves and mix, ferment, punch down, shape, score, finish, and bake dough into delicious loaves. (5-6 sessions depending on schedule, $1,295) Purchase a gift certificate for Artisanal Bread Baking here.

Upcoming course dates:
• June 25, 2007

Essentials of Italian Cooking
Let them immerse themselves in Italian cooking in a bite-size schedule with our 8-session Essentials of Italian Cooking. You’ll learn to craft wonderful stocks and sauces, produce authentic fresh Italian breads and pastas, and become skilled at cooking a variety of traditional beef, chicken, fish, and vegetable dishes, as well as irresistible desserts. (8 sessions, $2,660) Purchase a gift certificate for Essentials of Italian Cooking here.

Upcoming course dates:
• August 20, 2007

Food & Wine Pairing
Now, here’s something worth toasting. The FCI’s Dean of Wine Studies, Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, developed this 6-session course to take the mystery out of wine and make anyone feel more confident when ordering, serving and pairing it. A winning gift for the wine lover on your list (or as a business gift with extra sparkle), they can taste their way around the globe with our experienced and award-winning wine faculty starting this March. (6 sessions, $995) Purchase a gift certificate for Food & Wine Pairing here.

Upcoming course date:
• September 24, 2007

Of course, for some, the greatest gift is enjoying a great gourmet meal instead of preparing it. We have the perfect gift for them, as well.

L’Ecole, the Restaurant of The FCI
With its fresh seasonal menu and award-winning wine collection, a multi-course lunch or dinner at L’Ecole is always a welcome treat. Give a gift certificate for our acclaimed restaurant, which Zagat diners have said is "like getting Prada wholesale." Gift certificates for L’Ecole are available in any season, for any reason, and any denomination. To purchase a gift certificate for L’Ecole, please call (212) 219-3300.