Spring 2027 Lake Placid Culinary Getaway

May 14, 15 & 16, 2027 | Cucina Puglia

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.

Pugliese Cooking, Pure Joy

The sun-drenched kitchens of Puglia, Italy’s southern culinary heart, are where tradition, family, and flavor come together in perfect harmony. Here, meals are more than nourishment—they are a celebration of connection, history, and the Mediterranean landscape. During this immersive weekend cooking experience at the Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, New York, you’ll explore the rustic elegance of Puglian cuisine, learning to prepare timeless dishes such as orecchiette with sun-dried tomato sauce, frittata di zucchine e cipolla, and the beloved tiella Barese—a layered bake of rice, potatoes, and mussels that embodies the soul of southern Italy.

In this intimate setting, participants will follow along with Chef Curtiss Hemm as he blends culinary instruction with storytelling, showcasing how Puglia’s humble ingredients—olive oil, fresh herbs, seafood, and handmade pasta—come together to create food that is both comforting and sophisticated.

From the rolling hills of Valle d’Itria to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic coast, every dish tells a story of terroir and time-honored technique. You’ll learn how to transform simple local ingredients into dishes rich with character and flavor, gaining skills and inspiration to recreate the experience in your own kitchen.

Between cooking sessions, guests are invited to relax and enjoy the luxury and hospitality of Mirror Lake Inn, surrounded by the beauty of the Adirondacks.

Join us for a weekend that captures the essence of Puglian home cooking—earthy, generous, and unforgettable. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or an enthusiastic beginner, this Italian culinary weekend in Lake Placid offers the perfect blend of learning, flavor, and relaxation.

Friday, May 14, 2027

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 15, 2027

Cooking Demonstration | Rustic Puglia Cuisine @ Home

1:00 to 4:00 PM

In addition to its vibrant ingredients, the beauty of Puglian cuisine lies in its ability to bring people together—capturing the essence of southern Italy through warmth, simplicity, and flavor. Meals in Puglia reflect a deep respect for tradition, where the rhythm of the countryside and the generosity of the table invite you to slow down and savor the moment.

“While living and cooking in Europe, I found that the pleasure of a rustic meal comes from its honest ingredients and simple preparation. The flavors are guided by the land and sea, making each dish both comforting and full of life. The home cooks of Puglia showcase this perfectly!”

Chef Curtiss

Saturday’s demonstration-style class celebrates the simplicity, tradition, and authenticity of Puglia’s home cooking—food rooted in family, seasons, and a sense of place. Chef Curtiss will demonstrate how you can bring the flavors of Italy’s heel into your own kitchen, using ingredients that are easy to find yet full of character. Learn the techniques and confidence to prepare these timeless dishes, each crafted with love, olive oil, and a touch of southern sun.

Demonstrated Recipes

Orecchiette al Sugo di Pomodori Secchi (Orecchiette with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce)
orecchiette, sun-dried tomato, oregano, parmesan, vinegar, olive oil, sea salt, pepper, citrus

Polpette di Pane (Bread Balls Poached in Tomato Sauce)
bread, pecorino, eggs, sea salt, olive oil, tomato, onion, basil, pepper

Tiella alla Barese (Baked Rice with shellfish & Potatoes)
market shellfish, rice, potato, tomato, leek, garlic, pecorino, parsley, pangratatto, sea salt, pepper, seafood stock, olive oil, fennel pollen

Tiramisù alla Pugliese (Roasted Almond Tiramisu Puglia Style)
amaretti cookies, espresso, roasted almonds, whipped ricotta, cocoa dust, shaved chocolate

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 16, 2027

Cooking Demonstration | Cooking Beneath Olive Trees

10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

As with all of his Sunday classes, Chef Curtiss draws inspiration from the Adirondacks’ local farms, fields, and markets, blending them with the sunlit flavors of southern Italy. This hands-on brunch class celebrates the spirit of Puglian cooking—simple, generous, and meant to be shared.

This class will explore how to prepare light, seasonal dishes that capture the essence of Puglia’s cucina povera, where freshness and balance guide every recipe. Expect vibrant olive oils, ripe tomatoes, garden herbs, and rustic breads coming together in brunch-style platters and small plates perfect for leisurely weekend dining.

“A Puglian brunch isn’t about formality—it’s about the pleasure of good food, shared at a relaxed pace, surrounded by people you love.”

Chef Curtiss Hemm

Demonstrated Recipes

Zuppa Pancotto, Rughetta e Patate (Bread, Arugula, and Potato Soup)
brodo, arugula, potato, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, pepper, chili flake

Frittata di Zucchine e Cipolla (Zucchini and Onion Frittata)
eggs, senape (mustard), zucchini, onion, herbs, olive oil, italian cheeses, sea salt, black pepper

Insalata di Mare alla Pugliese (Puglian-Style Seafood Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil)
market fish & seafood, lemon zest, chili flake, sea salt, pepper, olive oil, herbs

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.