An Education You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

Between lunch at Pinnacle and dinner at John Jay, Columbia students might fail to notice the abundance of non-intimidating opportunities to develop one’s palate that abound in the area. No matter which level of culinary expertise you place yourself at, there are plenty of ways to transform the way you experience food in the city.

Chelsea Market is the ideal starting point for the greenhorn gastronome since it’s always been a place where one can learn plenty about food just by looking around. The hip wholesale-retail landmark, located on 9th Avenue between 15th and 16th streets, was the original headquarters of the National Biscuit Company, where Oreos, Vanilla Wafers, and Fig Newtons were once produced en masse. Today the 22-building complex maintains its industrial style and chic art deco architecture. Among its wide array of tenants are The Food Network and countless gourmet shops and eateries with the freshest and finest ingredients around.

Those students who have graduated to budding connoisseurs of food or wine would be wise to delve into the food-tasting and cultural walking tours offered year round at Chelsea Market. For a lump-sum of $40, the classic “Greenwich Village Walking Tour” provides a first-rate education on some of the area’s most famous delicacies, plus three full hours to sample them all. Looking to impress a date? The “Art of Sushi and Japanese Tapas” is an ultimate six-course dining experience that promises to engage all the senses. The cultural crash-courses offered at this Mecca of gourmet greatness are a sure-fire way to gain exposure to some of New York’s finest cuisine.

The intermediate bon vivant may seek a casual alternative to formal food-tasting events. At this level, Foodie NYC comes in handy. The service brings 50 New Yorkers with common interests together twice a month to wine and dine in a chic city loft. At $80, a five-course weekend dinner assures a creative culinary experience and some down-to-earth conversation with fellow foodies. The Web site, www.foodienyc.com, posts a schedule of upcoming events as well as ticket-purchasing opportunities.

The site is also worth exploring for a bonus educational opportunity that suits the ultimate college student budget: the blog is a free-of-charge way to keep up to speed on food in New York. The more you peruse, the more you’ll find yourself spattering cultural jargon like a true aficionado. Author Joe DeSalazar devotedly dispenses insider information to keep readers informed on food-related news and events in the city, creative recipes and entertaining tips, and updates on food in the media and pop culture.

If virtual learning is your thing, other food blogs to peruse include: “Mouthing Off” (www.foodandwine.com/blogs/mouthing-off) for a daily food adventure chronicle from the editors of Food & Wine Magazine, “FatFree Vegan Kitchen” (blog.fatfreevegan.com) for great nutritional information and healthful recipes, and “Applemint” (aapplemint.Blogspot.com) for a blend of international perspectives, beautiful photography, and classy recipes.

If you consider yourself a culinary epicurean, try taking your skills to the next level. Since one of the finest assets of the Core is its unparalleled preparation for cocktail party conversation, why not broaden the old liberal arts repertoire by taking a class for kicks with the nation’s largest cooking, pastry, baking, and wine education program? New York’s Institute of Culinary Education has a Recreational Division open to the general public, offering a whopping selection of 1,700 classes, seven days and nights a week. Just think—inauguration into the highest circle of foodie elitism is but a subway ride away on the 1. Find the institute at 50 West 23rd St.

Classes range from the traditional instructive type, for those interested in cultivating technical cooking skills, to indulgence sessions in areas like wine and cheese. Channel your inner baker for $90 at the “Best Brownie Workshop,” or delve into the philosophy of falafel at the $95 “Lenagev: Great Israeli Street Food” class. Food-savvy singletons take note: you can find your way into another’s heart through his or her stomach by pledging four and a half hours and $100 to participate in the “Tasty Connections” class. Let’s face it: good food and good company are really what it’s all about, and getting exposure to both is well worth the investment.

Whether you are looking for a formal tour and tasting event or a casual stroll through one of New York’s finest showcases of decadent delights, you can easily find a form of edible education that suits your palate. So quit settling for cereal and ramen noodles—enlighten your taste buds with endless opportunities in the culinary capital of the world.