Cooking Classes with Master Chef Andre Soltner at Curtain Bluff

Curtain Bluff, Antigua announces the opportunity of a lifetime for those who would like to combine their love of travel with their love of cooking. Curtain Bluff will host Master Chef Andre Soltner, former Chef/Owner of NY’s award-winning restaurant Lutece, as guest Chef at the resort. In addition to cooking for guests, Chef Soltner will hold cooking demonstrations and classes with Curtain Bluff’s Chef Christophe Blatz for any guests wishing to participate.

DATES FOR 2008: May 26th - June 2nd 2008
Rates for this week start at $4,500 for six nights based on double occupancy. Guests who partake in Andre’s culinary week at Curtain Bluff will be treated to the following:

• Welcome reception at the owners’ residence, The Bluff House
• Cooking class with Andre Soltner, Executive Chef Christophe Blatz and Pastry Chef Mark Smith (includes chef-supplied recipes, step-by-step instructions, sit-down lunch and a tour of the wine cellar)
• Andre Soltner cooking demo and a Caribbean cooking demo taught by Executive Sous-Chef Burdette Martin
• Cooking class taught by Chef Soltner featuring “The Best of Lutèce”
• Dinner comprised of Andre Soltner’s specials
• Friday afternoon wine tasting
• Six-course Gala dinner
• Alsatian lunch featuring a demonstration of Alsatian wines by Yann-Leon Beyer, the 14th generation of wine makers in his family’s native Alsace

In the past, Chef Andre Soltner has shown eager students how to create such classic French dishes as Onion Tart and Filet of Sea Bass in Red Wine Sauce.  Last year guests also learned how to make a Caribbean style dessert with a culinary flare:  Banana Cake with Caramel Rum Sabayon.  This year the resort is not revealing what delicacies will be cooked up, but with Andre Soltner’s extensive background and experience, they will most assuredly be excellent.
Chef Andre shares his artistry through hands-on teaching and career counseling with advanced students. He began his career at the age of 15 at the Hotel du Parc, Mulhouse, in his native Alsace and later became chef-owner of New York City's legendary Lutèce, which achieved a four-star rating from The New York Times. Chef Andre has received more than 25 awards, including the French government's prestigious Officier du Merite National, the Chevalier du Merite Agricole, the James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and, most recently, the Legion d'Honneur. The co-author of The Lutece Cookbook, Chef Andre has served for more than 20 years as Delegue General of the Master Chefs of France.

Curtain Bluff will be continuing in the tradition of master chef cooking classes this summer by hosting Chef Marc Bauer of the French Culinary Institute July 20-26. Chef Bauer has 22 years of professional culinary experience, and was the former chef of Dèlices de France, New York. He has been with the French Culinary Institute in New York since 1992. Chef Bauer’s cooking classes will also be offered to guests at Curtain Bluff free of charge.

Curtain Bluff is located on 20 lushly landscaped acres on the south coast of Antigua and is surrounded by two beautiful sandy beaches. Under the same ownership and management for over 40 years, Curtain Bluff offers a total of 72 beachfront accommodations including 18 Deluxe Rooms, 40 Junior Suites and two one-bedroom Grace/Morris Bay Suites, with connecting rooms to accommodate families or large groups. All rates are comprehensive (all-inclusive) which include meals and bar drinks, most of the activities, a freshwater pool and two beaches.

For Curtain Bluff reservations and information call 1-888-289-9898 or visit Curtain Bluff online at www.curtainbluff.com