Fall 2024 Lake Placid Culinary Getaway

November 15, 16 & 17, 2024 | The Foods of Contemporary Trattorias @ Home

The Carriage House Cooking School has once again teamed up with The Mirror Lake Inn to offer select getaway packages celebrating the bounty of the Adirondack Park’s vibrant farm to table landscape.

Getaway registrants will enjoy the comforts and luxury of the Mirror Lake Inn, which is the epitome of Adirondack hospitality, along with multiple demonstration style cooking classes, each designed so that participants can return home, confident to replicate and share their learning experiences.

Chef Curtiss, the former Dean of Culinary Arts at the prestigious New England Culinary Institute, has long considered the Mirror Lake Inn the perfect venue for cooking classes and a focused culinary weekend.

He has been a guest chef and instructor with the Inn’s numerous Food & Wine Festivals and several special events and now serves as The View Restaurant’s Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director.

This weekend is all about celebrating the comfort and cuisine of Italy, while tasting the terroir of the Adirondacks and surrounding farmland. Check out the schedule and class menu below.

Contemporary TRATTORIA Cuisine @ Home

Welcome to the world of contemporary trattoria cuisine!

Trattorias are the quintessential Italian eateries, known for their cozy ambiance and hearty, rustic dishes. In recent years, trattoria cuisine has evolved to embrace modern culinary trends while staying true to its traditional roots, resulting in a delightful fusion of old and new flavors.

Contemporary trattoria foods celebrate the richness of Italian culinary heritage while incorporating innovative techniques and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From artisanal pizzas topped with unexpected combinations of ingredients to handmade pastas infused with inventive sauces, the menu at a modern trattoria offers a tantalizing array of options to suit every palate. Whether you're craving a comforting bowl of risotto or a vibrant salad bursting with seasonal produce, trattoria cuisine promises a culinary adventure that honors both tradition and innovation.

In this cooking journey, we'll explore the essence of contemporary trattoria foods, learning techniques to recreate these mouthwatering dishes in your own kitchen. Get ready to discover the vibrant flavors, bold aromas, and irresistible charm of trattoria cuisine, as we dive into a world where culinary tradition meets contemporary creativity.

Let's embark on this delicious adventure together as you join us for a weekend of wonderful Italian food, great company and the luxury of Mirror Lake Inn!

Friday, november 15, 2024

Welcome Reception

5:30 to 6:30 PM

Gather for a meet and greet with Chef Curtiss of the Carriage House and the Mirror Lake Inn Culinary team. Hors d’oeuvres are provided and there will be a full cash bar available.

Saturday november 16, 2024

Cooking Demonstration | Contemporary Trattoria Cooking

1 to 4 PM

In the heart of Italy's culinary landscape lies the trattoria, a charming haven where tradition and innovation dance on the plates of eager diners.

Contemporary trattoria cuisine represents a delightful convergence of old-world flavors and modern culinary sensibilities. It's a culinary journey that celebrates the soulful simplicity of Italian cooking while embracing the creativity and experimentation of today's gastronomic landscape.

Each dish tells a story, a narrative woven with the threads of tradition and the spirit of innovation. In the bustling trattorias of today, diners are treated to an experience that marries the comfort of familiarity with the thrill of culinary exploration.

But contemporary trattoria cuisine is more than just exquisite food—it's an invitation to slow down, savor each bite, and revel in the conviviality of shared meals. It's about gathering around a table with loved ones, clinking glasses filled with robust Italian wines, and indulging in the simple pleasures of life. Today we will celebrate the vibrant world of contemporary trattoria cuisine, where every meal is an ode to the timeless joys of good food, good company, and the Italian art of living well.

“The pleasure of a trattoria meal rests with its simplicity of preparation and the flavors of the region, making for table experiences that are simply engaging, delicious and enjoyable.”
Chef Curtiss

Demonstrated Recipes

Zucca Invernale (Winter Squash)
delicata squash, sea salt, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, pancetta, red onion, herb leaves, sunflower seeds
Insalata di Riso (Rice Salad)
medium grain rice, olive oil, vinegar, cumin, tomatoes, capers, olives, red onion, basil
Filetto Scottato (Seared Tenderloin of Beef)
beef tenderloin, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, fennel seed, ciabatta crumb, gorgonzola, lemon, herb, pancetta
Contemporary Affogato
gelato, nitro foam cold brew espresso

While the foods used in this class will be primarily sourced and inspired from the Adirondacks and its surrounding farmland, Chef Curtiss will be discussing how to source products local to you that will yield you the same results.

Registration for the class includes:

printed recipe packet
bottled water

Sunday november 17, 2024

Cooking Demonstration | A Three Course Trattoria Brunch

10 AM to 12:30 PM

At the heart of contemporary trattoria lunch lies a celebration of simplicity and flavor, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of the day. Picture a sun-dappled courtyard or a cozy corner of a bustling trattoria, where the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces. Here, lunch is not merely a meal but a moment to savor the essence of Italian culinary heritage, reimagined for the modern palate.

This menu is designed to celebrate lunch at a trattoria as an experience that delights the senses and nourishes the soul, reminding us to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of life.

"A trattoria is a place where you feel at home. You sit down, you know your waiter, you know the menu. It's family style, sharing food, passing it around. It's a beautiful way of eating."
Lidia Bastianich

Demonstrated Recipes

Insalata di Pere e Taleggio (Warm Pear & Talegio Salad)
pear, honey, gem lettuce, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, mustard, talegio cheese, sea salt, black pepper, toasted hazelnuts
Polenta (Creamy Polenta)
polenta, stock, butter, cream, italian cheese, sea salt, black pepper, herb leaves, extra virgin olive oil
Pollo Brasato (Braised Chicken, Parsnips & Mint)
chicken thighs, garlic, olive oil, parsnips, shallot, black pepper, rosemary, tomato, red pepper, mint, cream

Registration for the class includes:

printed recipe packet
bottled water

For more information about booking please call one of the Mirror Lake Inn’s reservation specialists at (518)523-2544 or info@mirrorlakeinn.com.