I simply can't help dreaming of I.C.E. (The Institute of Culinary Education). I am bordering on obsession.
The latest fantasy dates of the dream time would be May 1 through May 9th. Fine Cooking Course to be offered 10am-3:00 pm May 3 through 7th. (January and February are all ready filled.) Many other courses are offered at night, from 6pm to 10:30pm. It is the Fine Cooking courses that I am very interested in. Here is what they have to say about the course:
These are the classes on which our recreational program’s reputation was built. Over 15,000 students have taken this series. Once you master essential cooking techniques, you possess the culinary grounding to cook both classical cuisines and the latest cooking styles. These full-participation classes teach fundamental skills, not recipes. .... Lesson 1: Knife Skills, Sauteing, Sauce Vinaigrette; ex: Sauteed Lamb Chops Lesson 2: Stocks, Roasting, Working with poultry; ex: Roasted Tarragon Chicken Lesson 3: Braising, Storing, cleaning and cooking shellfish; ex: Mussels Steamed in White Wine Lesson 4: Egg Cookery, Souffles; Salad Nicoise; ex: Chocolate Mousse Lesson 5: GrillingThe least expensive, decent hotel near the school (within walking distance) is the
Comfort Inn (free breakfast, internet access, and free newspaper) with the rate of ~$1,588.51 for 8 nights. Google says that it is only a 5 minute walk. Ha. It will take me 4 or 5 times that, looking, smelling, hearing Manhattan.
The flight looks smooth, no routing through Chicago, and comfortable transfer times.
Depart – Sat May 1 2010 United Flight 6742 Departs Aspen: 8:30a Arrives Denver: 9:21a Layover in Denver, CO (DEN) for 1h 24m United Flight 310 Departs Denver: 10:45a Arrives LGA: 4:35p Return – Sun May 9 2010 United Flight 745 Departs LGA: 2:45p Arrives Denver: 5:16p Layover in Denver, CO (DEN) for 2h 29m United Flight 6754 Departs Denver: 7:45p Arrives Aspen: 8:34p
The getting to and from the hotel room is interesting. I can take a bus to a subway, a bus to a taxi or a taxi. The taxi would cost ~$30, the bus to taxi would be about ~$21, the bus to subway then walk would be about $14. I would like to taxi this, so count on $60 for transportation to and from airport. so, air cost (425.80) plus transportation ($60) plus Fine Cooking ($595) plus hotel ($1,588.51) plus food ($30*8=$240) plus 3 night courses (~$350) totals out to $3,259.31. Damn. For 8 nights. But it is ICE and Fine Cooking, no?
