An Epicurean Adventure Awaits at Cavallo Point in San Francisco

Cavallo Point, the Lodge at the Golden Gate in San Francisco, invites epicurean enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the world of food and wine and take a cooking school vacation at the lodge's new culinary arts program.

Kelsie Kerr, a leader in the San Francisco Bay Area's culinary scene, directs the inspiring, hands-on, three- and five-day courses of intimate classes, where guests learn from the country's top chefs, including Dan Barber, Traci des Jardins and Cavallo Point Lodge's own Joseph Humphrey, supported by a leading-lights cast of local culinary artisans and producers.

Complementing the talent is Cavallo Point Lodge's spacious, comfortable new "country farmhouse" cooking school kitchen. As part of the opening celebrations, guests have a choice of two introductory sign-up specials.

The fall calendar of food programs at Cavallo Point Lodge, most three to five days long, features star chefs and other culinary experts. Classes focus on the sustainable culinary movement and the San Francisco Bay Area's organic farms, ranches and other culinary artisans. Program pricing ranges from $1,700 to $2,150; highlighted events include:

Culinary Bon Vivant with Traci des Jardins, Sep. 9-12: Cavallo Point Lodge's Culinary Bon Vivant series kicks off with a three-day culinary sojourn of gourmet meals, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations with Traci des Jardins of Jardinière Restaurant joined by the proprietors of Freeman Vineyard and Winery.

All About Fish with Monterey Fish Company, Sep. 28-Oct. 3: Paul Johnson and Tom Worthington show first-hand how to select and, with Kelsie Kerr, how to prepare fresh, sustainable fish and shellfish. Insider's tours of Monterey Fish's wharf, the SF Ferry Building Marketplace, and an oyster odyssey into West Marin are on the menu.

Culinary Bon Vivant with Michael Tusk, Oct. 14-17: The dynamic play of Italian food and California wine is in the spotlight as guests join Michael Tusk of award-winning Quince Restaurant and Andy Peay of Peay Vineyards in a series of gala dinners, wine tastings and demonstration cooking classes.

Culinary Immersion: Wine Country Cooking with Joanne Weir, Oct. 26-31: James Beard Award-winning author, cooking teacher and TV personality Joanne Weir will share her passion for Mediterranean cuisine and cooking techniques presented in her recently released cookbook, "Wine Country Cooking."

Olive Oil 101 with Frantoio Olive Mill and McEvoy Ranch, Nov. 2-7: A five-day adventure of exciting tastings, tours and hands-on cooking classes will expand knowledge and expertise in selecting and cooking with olive oil. Master olive oil taster Roberto Zecca joins Cavallo Point Cooking School director Kelsie Kerr to lead the class, perfectly timed to the harvest at McEvoy and high season production at Frantoio Olive Mill.

Culinary Bon Vivant with Dan Barber, Nov. 9-12: Chef Dan Barber of New York's revered Blue Hill Restaurant and Wells Guthrie of Copain Wine Cellars will show how sustainability and flavor go hand-in-hand with three days of gourmet dinners, wine tastings and cooking school demonstrations.

As part of the introductory celebration, Cavallo Point Lodge is offering two specials to guests who register before Dec. 31. Two guests booking one of the culinary arts programs receive a complimentary room for two for the duration of the program-a value of $855 or more for a three-night stay and more than $1,400 for a five-night stay. Singles booking a course receive one complimentary night's lodging; the room may be shared with a nonparticipant at no additional cost.

Cavallo Point Lodge will also offer one- and two-night tasting/cooking classes for guests looking for something "lighter but with all the flavor" of its more immersive three- and five-day programs. Advance registration is required for reserving a space in Cavallo Point Lodge adventures and programs; room and program reservations are available by calling toll-free, (888) 651-2003. For more information about the cooking school, email cookingschool@cavallopoint.com.

Cavallo Point Lodge is situated in Golden Gate National Parks and is San Francisco Bay's new national park lodge, joining the revered Post Ranch Inn within the Passport Resorts collection. The soaring orange-red span of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline stand in dramatic relief to Cavallo Point Lodge's verdant national park setting, with the city's world-class culture and attractions minutes away.

For more information on Cavallo Point Lodge and its programs, visit www.cavallopoint.com.