FNCE^® Excursions

Enjoy the opportunity to explore San Antonio before heading to the conference and expo! Sign up for this event when you register for FNCE^®.

Culinary Excursion at the Culinary Institute of America

Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Central time)
Location:
The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2
Suite 2102
San Antonio, Texas 78215

Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Culinary Institute of America. Transportation will not be provided.

Enhance your FNCE^® experience with an exclusive culinary excursion at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America. Choose from three hands-on classes led by CIA chef-instructors and step inside the kitchens of one of the nation's premier culinary institutions.

Whether you're interested in mastering flavor-building techniques, exploring innovative approaches to healthy baking, or discovering the art of plant-forward cookery, these immersive experiences offer a rare opportunity to sharpen your culinary skills, gain practical insights, and connect food, nutrition, and flavor in an unforgettable setting.

Plant Forward Cookery

Explore the principles of plant-forward cooking through hands-on preparation of globally inspired dishes featuring vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, herbs, and spices. Participants will learn techniques for maximizing flavor, texture, and nutrition while creating balanced meals where plants take center stage. Topics include vegetable cookery, whole grain preparation, plant-based proteins, healthy flavor-building strategies, and menu development for modern plant-forward dining.

Healthy Baking

Explore the principles of healthy baking through hands-on preparation of nutrient-dense baked goods featuring whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and alternative flours. Participants will learn techniques for maximizing flavor, texture, and nutritional value while creating baked products that balance enjoyment with wellness. Topics include increasing dietary fiber, incorporating plant-based ingredients, reducing added sugars, utilizing whole grain and gluten-free flours, and applying modern ingredient substitution strategies to support contemporary healthy eating patterns.

Flavor Building

Through live demonstrations, a hands-on cooking activity, and guided tasting, participants will identify at least five high-impact flavor-building ingredients and techniques that enhance taste without relying on added salt or sugar. Together, we’ll unpack how acid, bitterness, umami, aromatics, and texture work individually and in combination to create depth, balance, and excitement on the plate and how to harness these elements to support a wide range of dietary needs.

Attendees will practice flavor-layering strategies and cooking methods to transform standard recipes into more nutrient-dense, crave-worthy dishes. You'll leave with practical formulas, sample recipes, and teaching tips you can immediately apply in classes, counseling sessions, program development, and home kitchens for enhanced enjoyment of nourishing foods.