Summer Camps For Food Lovers Slideshow
Maine: Salt Water Farm
Situated along the Maine coast overlooking Penobscot Bay, Salt Water Farm is a working farm where passionate local food lovers can literally get their hands dirty in the process of growing and raising their own food. From learning the principles behind constructing your own kitchen garden, exploring how edible flowers can be used in cooking and cocktails, to a lecture on foraging for native Maine food and mushrooms, the farm's three-day workshops give campers a chance to understand how locally sourced ingredients can be incorporated into daily meals. As well, campers will have a chance to expand their culinary prowess, learning how to make butter from farm-fresh cream, boning chickens, and how to cook lobster affordably.
$425 for three days, lodging and meals not included.
California: Sonoma Grape Camp
If you've always wanted to tend the vines in the early morning, but don't have the time or money to invest in growing your own, head to Sonoma Valley, Calif., for Sonoma Grape Camp. For three days, you will be immersed in the process of making wines, from working in the vineyards harvesting grapes, to learning the art of blending fine wines with some of California's most talented winemakers. You'll even have a chance to challenge your fellow campers in the kitchen for a cooking and wine pairing contest.
$1,850 per person per couple (single supplement $150) including hotel stay for two nights at the acclaimed Kenwood Inn and Spa, all meals, tastings, and transportation during camp.
Upstate New York: Farm Camp at Flying Pigs Farm
For a one-of-a-kind experience on a working farm, budding farmers and local food enthusiasts should sign up for the two-day Farm Camp located at Flying Pigs Farm in the Battenkill River Valley of upstate N.Y. Campers will have a chance to participate in activities like choosing and slaughtering their own chickens, visit nearby farm and processing facilities, and enjoy the high-quality food and wines grown and made in the region. Participants will walk away not only with a unique farm life experience, but also be more informed about local foods and have a greater understanding of national food policies.
$250 per person, accommodations included.
Argentina: Mendoza Wine Camp
For the wine and food lover looking to escape the continental U.S., book a stay at Mendoza Wine Camp. Over the course of five days, you will have a unique, in-depth immersion experience in world of Argentinian wine and food. Learn how to properly taste wines with industry experts, recognize wine defects, and understand the viticultural practices behind the creation of some of the world's best wines. Each session builds upon the previous, leading up to a culminating nine-course farewell dinner, prepared by the best chef in Mendoza with wines specially paired by the region's top sommelier, looking over the vineyards of Lujàn de Cuyo.
$2,150 per person, including all lunches, transportation, tastings, welcome drinks, and farewell dinner.
Las Vegas: Adult Culinary Boot Camp
If you've always wanted to learn how to cook under the tutelage of professional chefs, but don't have the time or money to leave your day job for culinary school, sign up for the four-day boot camp at the Creative Cooking School in Las Vegas, Nev. Chefs-in-training will learn proper knife skills, cooking techniques, and how to develop recipes. In the kitchen, your new skills will be put to good use when learning to make dishes for every meal of the day along with instruction on how to make party-perfect hors d'oeuvres for your next cocktail party.
$99 for a single class (one day); $396 for all four sessions.
Long Island: Wine Camp
If you've always wanted to learn more about how barrel age and composition affects wine, or try your hand at blending your own wine, escape for a four-day stay at wine camp on the North Fork of Long Island, N.Y. Described as "the ultimate food and wine experience on the East Coast," it's an educational vacation that you'll never forget.
The Wine Camp Package includes premium accommodations for three nights, interactive learning sessions, tastings at eight area wineries, dinner at The North Fork Table and Inn, daily breakfasts, and a special five-course dinner with wine pairings at Castello di Borghese. And, if that's not enough, you get to take home your own case of wine.
$999 per person.