De Gustibus Cooking School at Macys
Yay For Autumn Cooking!
The minute Fall officially arrives, I automatically dig up boots from my closet, search around for sweaters, and begin to think about cooking dishes with Autumn’s incredible bounty. A big fan of Macoun apples, hearty soups that simmer for hours, and anything orange, my culinary brain starts to kick into overdrive. Not to say that I don’t love the fruits and veggies of summer, but during the warm months, I tend to cook lighter and let salads be a mealtime staple.
My curiosity and interest in the culinary arts can sometimes be insatiable, so I can think of no better place to spend some time then the newly renovated De Gustibus Cooking School, located on the 8th floor of Macy’s Herald Square. This beautiful space is a serene jewel amidst the endless stream of tourists and busy New Yorkers who either stroll the aisles, or walk swiftly with a purpose (that would be the busy New Yorker.)
DeGustibus is really a place where you as a participant needn’t worry about slicing and dicing beside a world class chef in a steamy kitchen. It’s a much more relaxed experience. You sit in comfortable seats at a long table, with Voss water awaiting you, followed by a glass of prosecco or some other lovely libation.
As the chef (or chefs, if you are attending a night of multiple chefs) begins his or her prep, you can watch all that is going on, while state-of-the art cameras hang over the gleaming Miele stove, capturing all the tricks of the trade, visible on large screens.
This learning and dining experience not only provides a full four course meal from a star chef for you to savor, but appropriate wines are paired with each course, recipes are yours to take, as well as goodies, like subscriptions to a lifestyle or food magazine of your choice. Discounts on wine and cookbooks are also provided.
The Cooking Countess, Enrica Rocca
Coming up very soon, (Monday, Sept. 28) an opportunity to learn from The Cooking Countess, Enrica Rocca of the Enrica Rocca Cooking School in Venice, named one of the ten best cooking schools in the world by Gourmet Magazine.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, you get three, count ’em, three chefs for the price of one. Josh Capon, Paul DiBari, and Preston Clark from El Toro Blanco, Bowery Meat Company, and Lure Fishbar. This trio of chefs will provide dishes from Mexico, and prepare courses of meat and fish.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, two New York City veterans of Eleven Madison Park, Executive Chef Bryce Shuman and General Manager Eamon Rockey, from the acclaimed Betony, will preside over the DeGustibus kitchen. Betony snagged three stars from the Times and Esquire Magazine named it “Restaurant of the Year.”
These are just a few examples of the caliber of chefs you will experience during an evening of information, entertainment and of course, amazing food and wine.
Combining the opportunity to learn from rock star chefs, discovering insider secrets, and enjoying an evening of fine dining, I can easily say that DeGustibus is one of New York’s best kept food and entertainment secrets.
Go to www.Degustibusnyc.com
Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.
Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.
