Learning Center
With so many great sites for the aspiring gourmet (and gourmand), it gets a little difficult deciding who to turn to when you need great advice, or want to check out the latest on great chefs and techniques. These are some of my favorites.
Cook Street Culinary School
www.cookstreet.comDenver, CO
CookStreet.com offers a wide variety of culinary courses for everyone from the aspiring professional chef, to the backyard grill master.
Epicurious
www.epicurious.comFrom Conde Nast, the recipe collections from Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines, with good search engine.
Food Network
www.foodnetwork.comFrom the Food Network Channel; recipes, programming, products and celebrity chefs.
The Food Paper
www.thefoodpaper.comAn online "newsletter" with cookbook reviews and sales, plus upcoming events for food and wine lovers.
Jessica's Biscuit
www.ecookbooks.comJessica's Biscuit cookbook collection with over 13,000 titles. Both of Nicole's books are available at 30% off.
Leite's Culinaria
www.leitesculinaria.comWinner of the 2006 James Beard award for Best Internet Food Website, billed as "hot food, dry wit." This site offers up recipes, articles, resources and shopping.
Natalie MacLean
www.nataliemaclean.comThis is the website for Natalie MacLean, wine writer and accredited sommelier. Sign up for the free newsletter, "Nat Decants." Read recent articles and reviews, food and wine pairings, and book reviews. There's an "Ask Nat" section and Wine Picks — both vintages and values.
Novus Vinum
www.novusvinum.comExpert reviews and wine tastings, featuring small production wines and boutique wineries.
Top Secret Recipes
www.topsecretrecipes.comThis site specializes in reproducing famous and secret recipes from major manufacturers.
Wine Enthusiast
www.wineenthusiast.comOnline feature stories and articles from the magazine plus online catalog with wine products.