Gourmet Getaways will evoke an intense case of wanderlust and an even more intense desire for good food. Discovering the great culinary spots chronicled by Joe David, even a non-foodie will want to jump in the car and head to one of the schools across the country to prepare - and eat- a sumptuous meal under the tutelage of the pros sharing their secrets. With Gourmet Getaways as a guide, you can plan a vacation by the area of the country that appeals most, or, just the opposite, discover an area by choosing the school that appeals most to you. Mr. David has included several types of schools from the lofty Culinary Institute of America that covers all aspects of cuisine, to schools that focus on health food (even one for macrobiotics), or a country inn that specializes in Italian cuisine. The schools are run by a variety of professionals, whether chefs, caterers or innkeepers.
The author has organized for easy reference, but the book is thorough. The schools are listed in chapters that center on the the region - Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest or West. These are further broken down into states. Each school has a brief description, a short biography of the staff or instructor, a statement of the school's philosophy and a description of the classes. This is followed by a list setting forth class costs, class frequency, class length, class type (hands on or demonstration), and class size. Since travelers need to rest their heads, he includes lodging in the area and amenities in the town.
There are random inserts throughout the book, some giving wine and food tips from the chefs, others offering historical notes on the origin of a famous resort, even the delightful discovery that one hotel (Rosewood Mansion in Texas) sets aside two days a year to open its private dining room to youngsters for a course in dining etiquette. If cooking is not enough, the author suggest things to do in several areas.
There are, of course, recipes provided by several of the teachers, many of which reflect the cuisine of a region. There are black and white photos throughout, most of them action shots, for the action of the kitchen is king.
©
