Chautauqua Culinary Institute

Wow. A fantastic weekend in Chautauqua New York (near the PA border and 1 hour South of Buffalo), and I feel like the Chautauqua Institute got most things right, but I couldn't believe that food was not more of a priority.

With summer educational programs in dance, theatre, opera, music, and visual arts, everywhere you turn there is a stimulating art form, and when combined with a beautiful place, the time between meals can really be outstanding.

Unfortunately, the enlightened minds that have cultivated this extraordinary place for families and intellectuals and believers seems to be neglecting my favorite art, and everyone else also seems to complain about the food.

What is it? I guess it could be some sort of Puritan tradition, but the artistic stimulation is certainly decadent, the place is beautiful, and no one is there working. Why single out food?

It seems to me like it would be a natural extension of the existing art programs to include another: the Chautauqua Culinary Institute. Imagine that, along with the dozens of artists invited to enrich their skills, Chautauqua sponsored aspiring chefs to be a part of the community. Like the musicians practicing on the quads, maybe we could have chefs sharing small meals throughout the campus. Like the main plays the acting group puts together, couldn’t the chefs come together for some fantastic feasts? Upstate New York is rich for culinary transcendence during the peak summer season, and it is a shame that it is not more strongly embraced by this enlightened community.