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Culinary Excursions: 10 Savory Cooking Retreats
by Carrie Miner
Historic West Virginia Retreat
Since 1778, folks have traveled to the sulphur springs, at what is now known as The Greenbrier, to "take on the waters" as a health restorative.
 Since those early days, The Greenbrier, which is easily accessed by a complimentary 15-minute shuttle ride from the Greenbrier Valley Airport [LWB], has represented classic comfort with its stately architecture, award-winning dining and leisure pursuits.
Located on more than 6,500 immaculately groomed acres in the Allegheny Mountains, this National Historic Landmark offers a stunning array of recreational amenities.
Here you can break out your clubs on one of three championship golf courses, practice your swing on the resort's indoor or outdoor tennis courts, relax at the 38,000-square-foot spa or enjoy something a little more off the beaten path—the Falconry Academy, the Off-Road Driving School, whitewater rafting, horseback riding or a creative cooking class.
Since 1977 The Greenbrier has been offering cooking classes ranging from an easy afternoon class to a more intense, three-day demonstration.
 This year, the award-winning author and TV host Steven Raichlen has scheduled several sessions of his ever-popular BBQ University. The three-day event runs from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day and covers hands-on instruction on grilling up smoke-roasted prime rib, Memphis-style baby backs, beer can game hens, cedar planked salmon and virtually anything else you can think of—from soup to nuts.
If you can't schedule around this jam-packed event you may want to take a more leisurely approach with one of The Greenbrier's afternoon classes. Limited to 12 participants, the adult cooking classes feature themed menus such as Evening Entertaining or Chinese Cooking.
For example, a recent Best of Bistro class followed a lavish menu of tomato confit stack with tomato vinaigrette, hanger steak with rustic red onions, sautéed mushrooms with tarragon and caramelized banana tatin with bitter chocolate sauce. Kids also get involved in the kitchen with children's cooking classes. And what could be more fun than creating caramel butterflies, miniature chocolate pots and fruit flowers?
Southern-Style Coastal Cuisine
Cooking doesn't get any more convenient for private pilots than at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, where you can put down on the property at the Jekyll Island Airport [K09J].
While this barrier island, located between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida offers more than 10 miles of protected beaches and maritime forests to explore, this coastal paradise also offers an elite, mid-week culinary package every August at the property's Crane Cottage.
"Cooking at the Club" includes hands-on cooking classes lead by Chef Abigail Hutchinson, pâtisserie sessions and a wine tasting with the club's sommelier.
If you decide to finish out the week at the island, you may want to sign up for one of the resort's outdoor offerings.
For an up-close look at the waterways, you can rent a kayak or a canoe and paddle up Jekyll Creek or along the placid waters at Rixen Pond. Golfers get into the swing of things at the hotel's three 18-hole oceanside courses and historic 9-hole course.
Other adventurers can select from a smattering of other outdoor activities such as tennis, charter fishing, sea kayaking, crabbing, dolphin tours, sunset and dinner cruises, carriage rides, historic district tours, horseback riding, shopping, bird watching and nature walks.
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