Best of New York 2007 • Fun

• French Culinary Institute

  462 Broadway, No. 2; 888-324-2433

  Soho’s French Culinary Institute’s recently expanded program for amateurs caters to serious home cooks looking for professional-level training without the time commitment and student loans. An October renovation has transformed the school into a high-tech gourmet academy with modern, Equinox-like facilities. Most classes are geared toward professionals, but more amateur classes like Essential Tapas (two classes; $650) and La Technique (22 classes; $6,875) are being added regularly. This is fussy French technique par excellence. Fans of Top Chef will relish the professional-kitchen flourishes�chef’s whites, including toques, are given to all students, as is a case of knives and implements. Best of all, students theatrically address the instructor as �chef.�

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