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Pre-Conference Activities Registration

“Hands-On Culinary Knife Skills Course” takes place in The Culinary Institute of America’s teaching kitchens starting at 2 pm on Thursday, March 17. A chef instructor will teach hands-on introductory food preparation skills focusing on using knives. Culinary neophytes are especially welcome.

“Organic Viniculture: Festive Lunch, Structured Tastings and Agricultural Intensive” takes place at the Ehlers Estate Winery located just off Main Street (Hwy 29) about 1.5 miles north of the The Culinary Institute of America.  http://www.ehlersestate.com/

"An Insider's Tour of Selected Napa Valley Wineries" will take place in the Napa Valley vineyards and wineries surrounding The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone campus on Thursday, March 17th from 12:45 PM
until 3:45 PM.

To register for these activities, please call the Continuing Education Department of The Culinary Institute of America at 1-800-888-7850 between 8 AM and 6 PM EST. Payment may be made with American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

More Information on the Pre-Conference Activities:

  • “Hands-On Culinary Knife Skills Course”
    • Cost: $85 per person
    • Description: Participants will have the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the CIA's teaching kitchens in a pre-conference activity designed to give you hands-on experience honing your culinary skills.
    • Location: The Culinary Institute of America Teaching Kitchens
    • Schedule: 2pm-4pm (park at off-site lot, arrive at main entrance by 1:45pm to check-in)
  • Organic Viniculture: Festive Lunch, Structured Tastings and Agricultural Intensive
    • Cost: $90 per person. (Attendees must make their own way to the vineyard by noon.)
    • Description:  Please join the staff of the Ehlers Estate vineyard for a festive al fresco lunch, followed by an intensive look at organic farming practices and regulation, ending with privately conducted barrel tastings. The Ehlers Estate is owned in Trust by the Leducq Foundation and all proceeds from the Estate are used to support research into cardiovascular health at prominent medical institutions worldwide.
    • Location: Ehlers Lane, Right off Hwy 27 (Main Street, St Helena) 1.5 miles north of The Culinary Institute campus.
    • Schedule:
      • Noon - 1:00 pm - Lunch (Tasting Room)
        Gourmet lunch provided by Ehlers Estate
        Lunchen wine: Ehlers Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Ehlers Estate Merlot
      • 1:00 -2:00 pm - Tour of vineyard and discussion of biodynamic/organic farming practices as well as BD 500 and 501 applications, compost program and Stella Natura farming calendar.
      • 2:00p - 3:00 pm - Structured Tasting in Barrel Room
      • 3:00 pm - Return to Tasting Room for Browsing Store and Departure
  • An Insider's Tour of Selected Napa Valley Wineries
    • Cost: $50 per person (includes transportation, winery tours and wine tasting)
    • Description: Six groups of 20 will each visit two wineries, with a special opportunity to be greeted and toured by winemakers and winery owners, and taste wines not ordinarily featured on public tours. Groups will board small CIA-chartered buses. The number of groups will be determined by advanced (optional, add-on) registration. Lunch is not included on the winery tour, so attendees should enjoy lunch prior to the tour.
    • Schedule:
      • 12:15pm: Registration for Pre-Conference Activity in the Greystone Atrium (please park at designated off-site lot and proceed via CIA shuttle bus to the Greystone campus)
      • 12:30pm: Board Winery Tour Buses at Greystone for Departure
      • 12:45pm: Buses Depart for Winery Tours
      • 12:45-3:45pm: Insider's Winery Tour (each group will visit 2 wineries)
      • 3:45pm: Winery Tour Buses Return to Greystone for General Conference Registration