Searching for a cooking school where you can learn how to assemble a gourmet meal under the tutelage of a professional Chef (sans the Napoleonic attitude)? Check out the  The Savvy Gourmet.

Courses entail every aspect of the culinary arts from selecting & prepping raw ingredients to devising ingredient-focused menus, preparing ethnic dishes, and eating in season.

Adult classes are held every Wednesday-Friday (6-9 pm) and Saturday (11-2pm). Hands-on cooking classes for teenagers & children are also offered with a strong emphasis on nutrition & acclimating oneself to the kitchen. 

If you prefer to do the sampling rather than the cooking, The Savvy Gourmet’s Cafe serves coffee, baked goods, and a simple yet substantial lunch menu consisting of soups, salads, & sandwiches prepared by the school’s chefs (who hail from Culinary Institutes as far as Portland, Oregon).

If you have a lunch break on a Friday afternoon, stop by TSG’s ’Lunch & Learn’ session where you can observe how to eat like a Locavore or dine on Green Cuisine. For calendar updates & class listings, visit savvygourmetbuffalo.com (The Savvy Gourmet, 4610 Main Street, Snyder, NY, 716.626.2665 ).

If you haven’t already checked out “Wine… Down the Weekend” at Grille 620, (620 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, 886.2121) GO! This has to be one of the best deals in the city of Buffalo. Every Friday & Saturday, patrons can choose a complimentary bottle from the bistro’s extensive wine list to accompany any 2 entrees from the menu. Portions are pretty hearty so bring your appetite. If you prefer appetizers over entrees, try the chef’s mixed field green salad with pear slices, sweet strawberries, crumbly gorgonzola, and lavender infused vinaigrette or the cheese flight (a substantial selection of cheeses accompanied by seasonal fruits and sesame crackers). Whether you stop by the bar before the theatre for a glass of Cabernet or linger over dinner with a bottle of Pinot Grigio, you won’t be disappointed by Grille 620’s well-rounded wine list.