Spring 2025 Lake Placid Culinary Getaway

May 2, 3 & 4, 2023 | Parisian Bistros @ 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 legendary foods of Paris’s famous bistros. Along the way we will be tasting the terroir of the Adirondacks and surrounding farmland. Check out the schedule and class menu below.

The Allure of parisian bistros

The bistros of Paris are the heartbeat of the city, where tradition and innovation come together in spaces that are as much about ambiance as they are about food. In these intimate settings, Parisians and travelers alike gather to savor classic dishes like coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, and tarte Tatin. A bistro is not just a restaurant; it is a cultural institution, a place where the simple and the sophisticated coexist harmoniously. As chef Paul Bocuse once remarked, “In a bistro, you can taste the soul of Paris in every bite.”

Stepping into a Parisian bistro feels like stepping into the past, yet each one carries a unique character shaped by its chef and clientele. From the tiny, candle-lit spots in Montmartre to the bustling haunts in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, bistros offer a slice of everyday life. The menu might vary, but the focus on high-quality, seasonal ingredients remains constant. Pairing a hearty dish with a modest carafe of wine is an unpretentious ritual that embodies the charm of these establishments.

The origins of the bistro are humble, dating back to the 19th century when small establishments catered to working-class patrons seeking hearty, affordable meals. Over time, the bistro evolved, maintaining its accessibility while attracting a broader audience, including discerning gourmands. Today, many chefs have redefined the concept, blending tradition with modern techniques, ensuring that bistros remain relevant in the ever-evolving culinary landscape.

What truly sets bistros apart is their sense of community. Unlike the more formal atmosphere of fine dining, bistros invite diners to linger, talk, and feel at home. This welcoming spirit makes them ideal for everything from a casual lunch to a late-night conversation over crème brûlée and espresso. Each bistro tells its own story, with generations of chefs and patrons leaving their mark on the experience.

As I reflect on the bistros of Paris, I am reminded that they are more than just places to eat. They are microcosms of Parisian life, encapsulating the city's rhythm, its love of food, and its celebration of connection. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, no trip to Paris is complete without savoring the essence of its bistros. Bon appétit!Join us for a weekend of wonderful comforting French food, great company and the luxury of Mirror Lake Inn!

Friday, May 2, 2023

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 cash bar available.

Saturday May 4, 2023

Cooking Demonstration | Paris Bistro Cooking @ Home

1:00 to 4;00 PM

In addition to the food itself, meals at a Parisian bistro capture the soul of the city through their flavors and ambiance. The consistency from tradition and respect allows you to be present in a timeless space.

“While living in France I felt that the pleasure of a Parisian bistro meal rests with its simplicity of preparation and the flavors influenced by the pace of the city, making for meals that are more engaging, delicious and lively.”

Chef Curtiss

Saturday’s demonstration style class will showcase the simplicity, tradition, style and flavors of a typical Paris bistro with the sense and sensibility of our daily lives. In this class chef Curtiss will showcase how you can replicate a variety of classic bistro dishes that you can make at home with the confidence of a chef.

Demonstrated Recipes

Mushroom & Escargot
mushrooms, escargot, shallots, butter, tarragon, onions, cream, brioche

Blanquette du Porc
pan braised local pork, onions, garlic, shallot, leek, vermouth, cream, dijon, riz

Oueffs Mayonnaise
hard cooked eggs, mayonnaise sauce, herbs, microgreens

Chocolate Mousse
chocolate, egg yolks, cream, sugar, egg whites

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 May 5, 2023

Cooking Demonstration | A Bistro Brunch

10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

As with all of his Sunday classes, Chef Curtiss will pull from the Adirondacks and its surrounding farms, rivers and forests to showcase recipes for a delicious bistro inspired brunch of sharable platters and plates.

“Brunch at a Paris bistro is where the art of leisurely dining meets the charm of French cuisine, turning a simple meal into a cherished ritual.”

Chef Curtiss Hemm

Demonstrated Recipes

Salmon Pave
seared salmon, leek, shallot, butter, cream, vermouth, pepper

Endive, Chicory, Walnut, Pear & Roquefort Salad
endive, radicchio, frisee, roquefort, pear, toasted walnuts

Paris Brest
almond crusted pate choux shell, cocoa chantilly, toasted almond, sugar dust

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

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