Is anyone familiar with those 1 night/session cooking schools that teach you how to cook a certain course and then allow you to eat after? A friend told me about it a while back, paid $150 for 2 people and made out to be a fun/romantic night. Looking for something different for a gift for the wife.

What area jaygator76? We've got a 4* restaurant in our hotel that does that about every other month, and at about that price. This takes the meal from appetizer, through entree, then desert and wine to go with all, but it's given in the middle of the day, not evening. They are fun...don't know about romantic as I normally invite a (girl) friend to go along, LOL, but couples do go. This one is Tampa.

Had the opportunity to do another in Albuquerque this fall, Jane Butel Cooking School, as an "elective" during a week long meeting, but I believe I opted for a trail ride instead of cooking. I try to avoid contact with the kitchen as much as possible.

Anyway, it'd be good if we knew what area you are living in as I'm sure these things exist all around the country.

Check out this website;

blackberryfarm.com

then click on specials

Charlie Trotter will be doing a cooking school there in June.

But a tad bit more than the $150

looking for something in NYC,
we live in jersey

Jay, The Institute of Culinary Education (formerly Peter Kump's Cooking School)offers what you are looking for. I have not taken a class there, but it's very popular and sure does smell good (I work in the building).

http://www.iceculinary.com

I have taken classes at ICE (Peter Kump's) and they are wonderful and so much fun!!!! You learn a lot and then get to sit down at the end and eat all teh great food you helped cook

I just read about one in Vail, Co. savoryinn.com 866-728-6794 Chef Bill
Wavrin shares his cuisine secrets, accumulated from his years as head chef at Rancho La Puerta and the Golden Door spa.

I'm going to tag along on this thread for some help --
I'm looking for a week to month-long cooking course on (or near) the west coast, any other ideas?
I'd rather have something really hands on that might be more work, as opposed to something high-end that's geared towards bored socialite non-working parents who want to impress their friends (sorry, I know that seems harsh, it's just that lots of workshops I've already checked out have that flavor about them).

Any foodies out there?