Nathalie Dupree

“This is my first Mexican cooking adventure and I couldn’t be more excited,” said
longtime chef, television personality and cookbook author Nathalie Dupree from the kitchen of her historic home in Charleston, SC.

The classes, to take place from November 3rd through 8th, 2008, will be taught at the Sazon Cooking School in the 16th century Spanish colonial city of San Miguel de Allende located about 4 hours north of Mexico City in the Bajia plateau, flanked by the Sierra Gorda and Sierra Madre mountains. “I think San Miguel will be such a treat for everyone. Add the fun classes and we think everyone will have an educational as well as a very fun time.”

The classes will be taught by Ms. Dupree at the Sazon Cooking School located in a historic hacienda just off the main square in San Miguel. Sazon, part of the Hotel Casa de Sierra Nevada is affiliated with the Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises. “I’m so much looking forward to being able to teach in this very well-equipped and beautifully done school. It’s a great space for learning and the beauty of the surroundings promises to be inspiring to both class participants and their significant others who wish to attend,” Dupree added.

Taking place just before the holiday season, Nathalie promises the classes will
“help offer a versatile, easier and more delicious way to usher in the busy holiday
season.”

While she is still putting the finishing touches on the itinerary, one feature will be the cocktail party that can easily be converted into a dinner party. “That’s the ultimate way to be easily prepared. If you want just a cocktail party, you’ve got it. And if you want to expand it into a dinner, it’s easy. And I think a lot of people not only want, but need ‘easy’ during the holidays,” she added.

Ms. Dupree will combine the classes with other activities such as market tour, dinners at local world class restaurants and more. While her classes will be taught at a facility celebrating the finest cuisine in Mexico, Nathalie’s classes will not include Mexican fare. “That’s not what I do so I decided not to ‘go there,’” she explained. If participants wish to take some Mexican classes at Sazon during their off-times, they will be encouraged to do so.

Nathalie Dupree has been a favorite cooking and entertaining expert for decades. After receiving her advanced certificate from the Cordon Bleu in London she ran a restaurant in Majorca. Upon her return to the United States she started a restaurant in rural Georgia entitled “Nathalie’s.” This led to her establishing the famous Rich’s Cooking School in Downtown Atlanta, located at the venerable department store’s (now Macy’s) flagship location near Five Points. She has since hosted over 300 weekly television shows on the Public Broadcast System, written 10 cookbooks, appeared on both “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America” as well as numerous other national and regional programs. She pioneered the “New Southern Cooking” approach to fine cuisine and has even done numerous gourmet dishes based on grits – at the time a dish totally relegated to breakfast. She emphasizes fresh, natural ingredients and stresses techniques in her classes that make entertaining more fun as well as more delicious.

San Miguel de Allende is located about 4 hours north of Mexico City and enjoys a perpetual spring-like climate thanks to its 6,400 foot elevation and low humidity. It was established by the Spanish about 500 years ago and is now considered a “museum” of both national and international historic significance. Many visitors remark that San Miguel “looks as it did centuries ago”. The history of the city is fiercely preserved. No traffic lights exist, chain restaurants and hotels are not allowed and the exteriors of the buildings are protected by the government. It has become a haven for artists, writers and American expatriates over the years and boasts many fine restaurants and a plethora of art galleries. As one visitor remarked, “It’s a bit of Europe, a lot of Mexico combined with worldly sophistication usually only seen in large cities.” Others remark, “It’s like Tuscany but without the high prices the Euro has brought.”

“The classes, the location, everything promises to add-up to a fabulous experience for everyone involved,” said Nathalie. The venture is being presented by Art Adventures, Inc., a company specializing in fine art and gourmet cooking classes in San Miguel. This is the first departure from art classes for the company, but as an associate explained, “What better expression of art than cooking and who better to guide people to culinary heights than Nathalie Dupree with her years of teaching and her large and loyal following?”

Each individual’s tuition includes 5 days of classes and 6 days and 5 nights of hotel accommodations at The Mansion Virreyes Hotel in the heart of the historic district of San Miguel. Breakfast at the hotel daily is included as is a welcome reception and a rooftop dinner at the hotel. The cost for the week will be $1,750 per student, based on double occupancy. Special rates will be offered to spouses and guests of the students as well.

Reservations and more information can be obtained by e-mailing DRoy189262@aol.com or visit the web site of Art Adventures, Inc., at artadventure.us.com.