An Adventure in Chinese Cuisine 2012 Culinary Study in China Led by Chef Francis Jacquinet from International Culinary School of Art Institute Houston and teamed up with top cooking schools in China, this specially designed-educational trip provides a priceless opportunity for all participants to learn in depth about China, esp. culinary and sensory experience through hands-on workshops, combination of local most authentic and enticing restaurants experiences, great lectures and presentations by Chinese well-known chefs, touring to winery, food market as well as exposures to the Chinese cultures of historical sites... It'll help our participants expand culinary skills, broaden cultural knowledge and professional advancements, as well as create culinary immersions that are the perfect add-ons for the future career. Day 1, Jun. 19 Tue, USA Beijing: International flight from home city of departure to Beijing, China. The Travel coordinator/chinese interpreter will travel with the faculty and students throughout the trip. The group will also be accompanied by a local guide at each of the cities visited. Day 2, Jun. 20 Wed Beijing (D): In Beijing we will be met by a local guide who will facilitate our stay in the city. Transfer from to Beijing accommodations. Welcome Dinner in Beijing local restaurant, Then it is time to unpack and get settled, shower, rest. 1
Day 3, Jun. 21 Thur., Beijing: (B/L) Morning back of-house tour of hotel restaurant with the manager and professional meeting for an explanation of his educational background and experience, and a discussion on what it takes to run a hotel restaurant in China; Then local guided cultural and historical tour of Beijing: see Tiananmen Square The Gate of Heavenly Peace, the largest square in the world. Continue to tour the cultural relics of the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum, home of Chinese emperors for 500 years. Temple of Heaven where emperors prayed for good harvests. Group lunch Go to Tea House to learn about thousands of years history of Chinese Tea Culture! Dinner on your own Day 4 Jun 22 Fri., Beijing International Youth Research Institute (B/L) Morning transfer to the Beijing International Youth Research Institute o Lecture by Chinese Culinary Instructor with translation on the history and development of Chinese cuisine o Lectures with translation on Chinese basic schools of cuisines& ingredients; o Lectures with translation on Chinese northern style cuisines o Chinese traditions of Seating & tablesetting o Demo of vegetable carving o Hands-on lab with students in teams of four: vegetable carvings and typical northern style dishes o Lunch served from dishes prepared in class o Demo by Chinese Pastry Chef o Hands-on workshop for dumpling, Chinese bread and cake preparation o Wrap up and closing ceremony Dinner will be on your own adventure. 2
Day 5, Jun. 23 Sat. Beijing ( Dragon Winery/The Great Wall) Xi an (B/L) : Professional visit to Beijing Dragon Seal Winery Manufacturer & Exhibit Center Morning deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach transfer to Great Wall with travel coordinator and local guide. Entrance to and guided tour of the Great Wall, a man-made structure snaking across the mountains and 4000 miles of countryside like a protective dragon before trailing off into the Gobi desert. Take overnight soft-sleeper by train to Xi an. Day 6, Jun. 24, Sun. Xi an: Muslim Mosque & Muslim Mosque Street/ Terra Cotta Warriors/ Tang Dynasty Dancing Performance (B/D): Have a traditional Chinese breakfast at local restaurant upon arrival; Morning tour to experience the difference in the area by walking through the Muslim Street nearby the Mosque. This is a fantastic place to wonder. All shops and restaurants in the street are operated by Muslims. The stalls lines the narrow alleys sell almost everything you can expect. There are a number of stalls selling small items of aircrafts. The restaurants in the streets are all Muslim ones, and variety of Muslim food and snacks can be tried here. It s time to visit the 8 th wonder of the world, the Archaeological Museum Terra-Cotta Warrior & Horse Museum. Here you ll see three vaults which contain over 8,000 terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty, about 2,200 years ago. Tonight Enjoy the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show after dinner. 3
Day 7, Jun. 25 Mon. Xi an: Shannxi Culinary College (B/L) Morning guided tour to local food market focusing on ingredients of the area; Then head on to Shan xi Culinary College, China first private culinary college. The students and instructors were invited to demo the stretching noodles skills for President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bushes when they first visited China in 2001. Welcome ceremony by students, teachers, staff and leaders & Introduction of the school; Introduction of Chinese food focusing on the cuisine of the region, plus an explanation of the traditional Chinese food culture; Introduction of table-setting, table manners etc; Demonstration and hands-on labs of pasty carving, making noodles Demonstration and hands-on lab of two typical Chinese dishes; Dinner will be on your own. Day 8, Jun. 26 Tue, Xi an Shanghai, Shanghai Museum/ Shanghai Grocery Market (B/L) Full American breakfast in the hotel; Then go to Airport for Shanghai - China s largest city and commercial capital. Guided tour to Shanghai Museum -the biggest museum in China, with a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics. The museum is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy; Guided visit to Shanghai Grocery Market. Explore Shanghai from hunting your dinner. 4
Day 9, Jun 27 Wed., Shanghai Training School/The Three Bund (B/L) After breakfast at Hotel, go to Shanghai Cooking School; The instructors will give lectures and demonstrations Welcome & introduction; Presentation of Shanghai cuisines; Demonstration and hands-on lab of two typical Chinese dishes from the region. Shanghai well-known dim sum pastry Early evening, we will visit the Bund, which was Shanghai's economic hub at the turn of the last century, when it was headquarters to representatives from international banks and governments who built the neoclassical buildings for which The Bund is known. The Bund is located along the Huangpu River, a major shipping artery and an example of waterfront reclamation. Professional visit to Jean George Three on the Bund, the famous German franchise in China. Enjoy the great combination of western mixed with Asian interior designs as well as the food & beverage. Dinner will be on your own. Day 10, Jun 28 Thur., Shanghai Local Organic Farm (B) o Full American breakfast will be served in the hotel; Guided tour to local Organic Farm with a presentation on the development of organic farming in China; Afternoon free on your own Dinner will be on your own. 5
Day 11, Jun 29 Fri., Shanghai USA(B): You will be helped to check in the airport and ready to be back to home; Have a safe return trip! P.S.: 1. The itinerary subject to change depending upon availability 2. B- Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner 6