Culinary Tours - Flavors of Napa Valley

Gourmet Retreats works with Epiculinary, a Chicago based tour company, to provide a culinary adventure in the California wine country. This Flavors of Napa Valley tour combines hands-on cooking classes with excursions to sites such as the Culinary Institute of America and Copia Center for Food, Wine and Art, a ranch promoting sustainable agriculture or a local winery to learn about food and wine pairing.

The cooking lessons focus on essential skills and techniques, and incorporate various styles of cuisine into the seasonally based menus. We cover topics ranging from knife skills, to preparing stocks as a base for soups and sauces and much more. Students will work with a variety of cooking methods and techniques as they prepare the recipes each day. Students have free time in the evenings to further explore the Napa Valley.

The menus may include recipes for dishes such as Hearty Minestrone; Beef Wellington with Duxelles; Braised Lamb Shanks; Handmade Pasta with Roasted Tomato Herb Sauce; Herbed Focaccia; Mexican Chocolate Souffle. We also incorporate recipes for classics such as Veloute; Sauce Supreme; Rouille; Crème Brulee; Berries Sabayon and basic pantry items such as Basil Pesto; Infused Oils and much more.

Sample Itinerary

Prices:  $1975 per person (double occupancy
               $ 550 Single Supplement:
               $1150 Non-Cooking Companion*

The tour price includes four night accommodations (double occupancy); reference book with glossary and recipes, logo apron and a massage. Also includes excursions and meals listed in the itinerary. Accommodations are at CasaLana B&B or other nearby B&Bs.
*We are happy to accommodate a friend or spouse who wants to join the tour but not attend the cooking classes. The price includes the group meals and activities except for cooking classes.

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to and from Napa Valley

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