I love the Ritz! Spipping champagne, overlooking the ocean -  that’s heaven. Once again, they are hosting their Summer School and Winter School cooking classes and the annual "Inside the Kitchen" fall weekend dedicated to extraordinary food and wine, announced the merger of the two programs today with a new series entitled "Inside the Kitchen: Summer."  
 
Guest instructors for "Inside the Kitchen: Summer" are a veritable "who’s who" of contemporary cuisine, including celebrity pastry chef Elizabeth Falkner, Executive Chef and owner of Citizen Cake in San Francisco; Marcel Vigneron, the molecular gastronomist from Bravo’s second season of Top Chef; Scott Beattie, the innovative bar manager at Cyrus in Healdsburg, Calif.; James Beard Award nominee Nate Appleman, chef of A16 in San Francisco; and Ruta Kahate, author and popular instructor of Indian cuisine, among many others. The resort will donate a portion of class proceeds to Meals On Wheels of San Francisco, Inc.
 
The thirteen-week series of 21 classes at the oceanfront resort feature small plates of each recipe, a beverage pairing, and a customized recipe booklet to take home. Courses taught by cookbook authors include their latest cookbook. Customized Viking cooking stations, with cameras and flat-panel monitors positioned throughout the room, enhance the learning experience. The two themed weekends, Mastering the Grill (July 13 and 14) and Mixology (August 3 to 5), feature a series of classes taught by nationally-recognized experts, allowing guests to delve into the popular arts of grilling and cocktails, respectively, throughout one weekend.
 
Enrollment for "Inside the Kitchen: Summer" classes ranges from $85 to $100 per student, ages 21 and over, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Parking for non-hotel guests is $5. Class substitutions are based on availability, subject to change, and refunds or credit are not available for missed classes with less than 48 hours advance notice. Registration closes 48 hours prior to each class. To register or for additional information, including complete class descriptions, instructor biographies, photos, and recipes, please visit www.insidethekitchen.net or register by phone by calling 650-712-7040.
 
 "Inside the Kitchen: Summer" Schedule At-A-Glance
All classes are at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
One Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
All classes, instructors and menus are subject to change.
Complete schedule here
 
Treasures of Asia: Far East to West with Chef Tim Luym, Poleng Lounge, San Francisco, June 1, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
High Style in Lowcountry with Chef Kevin Johnson, Anson, Charleston, SC, June 8, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
Rustic French with Executive Chef Xavier Salomon, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, June 15, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
Demolition Desserts with Elizabeth Falkner, Citizen Cake, San Francisco, June 22, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
Summer in California with Chris Kronner, Executive Chef, Slow Club, San Francisco, June 29, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
Flavors of the Mediterranean with Mark Gordon, Executive Chef, Terzo, San Francisco, July 6, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
Mastering the Grill Weekend
Grill Basics with authors Andrew Schloss and David Joachim, Mastering the Grill (Chronicle), July 13, 6 to 8 p.m. ($95 per guest)
The Science of Fire with Schloss and Joachim, July 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ($95 per guest)
Unusual and Extravagant Grilling Techniques with Schloss and Joachim, July 14, 4 to 6 p.m. ($95 per guest)
 
Oyster Heaven with author Jaemarie Pomo, The Hog Island Oyster Lover’s Cookbook (Ten Speed), July 20, 6 to 8 p.m. ($95 per guest)
 
Let’s Cook Japanese Food and Drink Sake! with authors Amy Keneko and Beau Timken (Chronicle), July 27, 6 to 8 p.m. ($100 per guest)
 
Mixology Weekend
Mixology 101 with David Nepove, Director of Mixology, Southern Wine and Spirits, August 3, 6 to 8 p.m. ($95 per guest)
Farm Fresh Cocktails with Scott Beattie, Mixologist at Cyrus, August 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($95 per guest)
Rye: Classic and Modern with Greg Lindgren, owner of Rye in San Francisco, August 4, 3 to 5 p.m. ($95 per guest)
Spirits of Latin America with Thad Vogler, bar manager at Jardinère in San Francisco, August 4, 6 to 8 p.m. ($95 per guest)
Brunch Cocktails with Todd Smith, owner of Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco, August 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($95 per guest)
 
Lobster Three Ways with Marcel Vigneron from Bravo’s Top Chef, August 10, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
Indian in Five Spices or Less with author Ruta Kahate, 5 Spices, 50 Dishes (Chronicle), August 17, 6 to 8 p.m. ($95 per guest)
 
Sunday Brunch at Foreign Cinema with chefs/authors John Clark and Gayle Pirie, Foreign Cinema, San Francisco, Country Egg, City Egg (Artisan), August 24, 6 to 8 p.m. ($95 per guest)
 
Taste of Campania with Chef Nate Appleman, A16, San Francisco, August 31, 6 to 8 p.m. ($85 per guest)
 
 
Overnight Packages
 
While a stay at the resort is not required to attend any class, guests are invited to enhance their "Inside the Kitchen: Summer" experience with an overnight stay.
 
"Inside the Kitchen: Summer" Sleepover Package
Rates starting at $659 per night.*
* One night in Coastal View accommodations
* Registration for two to any class
 
"Inside the Kitchen: Summer" Weekend Package
Rates starting at $839 per night.* Two night stay required.
For guests interested in attending one of the two theme weekends, Mastering the Grill (July 13 and 14) or Mixology (August 3 to 5).
* Two nights in Coastal View accommodations
* Registration for two to three (3) classes
 
*Rate is exclusive of all applicable taxes and gratuities, is based on availability, and subject to change.

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