The Carriage House Cooking School is once again partnering with the Mirror Lake Inn to offer a truly special getaway — this time celebrating the flavors, traditions, and spirit of Puglia, Italy’s sun-drenched southern region where simple ingredients and heartfelt cooking define everyday life.

Guests will enjoy the comfort and luxury of Mirror Lake Inn, the pinnacle of Adirondack hospitality, while participating in a series of demonstration-style cooking classes designed to bring the cuisine of Puglia to life. Each class will explore the region’s rustic culinary identity — from handmade pastas and vibrant vegetables to seafood, olive oil, and the art of turning humble ingredients into memorable meals. Participants will leave inspired and confident to recreate these dishes at home.

Chef Curtiss Hemm, former Dean of Culinary Arts at the New England Culinary Institute and now Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director at The View Restaurant, will guide this immersive weekend experience. Known for his engaging teaching style and passion for regional cooking, Chef Curtiss will share the stories, techniques, and traditions that make Puglian cuisine one of Italy’s most soulful and enduring.

Throughout the weekend, guests will not only discover the flavors of southern Italy but also enjoy the bounty of the Adirondack farms, dairies, and markets that inspire Chef Curtiss’s own cooking. It’s a celebration of two landscapes—the rocky Adriatic coast and the mountains of upstate New York—brought together through shared respect for the land, its ingredients, and the people who cultivate them.

Join us for a culinary journey through Puglia, filled with food, wine, and connection.
Check out the schedule and class menus below, and prepare to experience rustic southern Italian cuisine at its finest—right here at Mirror Lake Inn.