AMELIA ISLAND, FL--(Marketwired - Jan 30, 2014) - Head for The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island to ignite your passion for cooking while attending a 2014 Cooking Class led by Salt Chef de Cuisine Rick Laughlin. Chef Rick invites guests to unlock the secrets of contemporary American cuisine. Students receive personalized training through a unique two day "hands-on" approach. The class is designed to be interactive and fun. Students are even welcome to break at any time for Champagne and Mimosas to socialize with new friends.

"My goal is to unleash the student's passion for cooking and immerse them into the preparation process and to learn how to cook with all of their senses," says Laughlin. At Salt, a two time recipient of the AAA Five Diamond restaurant award, Chef Laughlin teaches students how to taste and flavor food, build textures and plate the food in an artistic manner to excite the diner's palate. 

Classes begin with breakfast in the Salt dining room overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The first day features a tour of the facility and an overview of the responsibilities held by each member of the Salt culinary team. Students then disperse to work stations to create a four-course lunch menu reflecting the seasonal class theme. Later that day, students share a lunch paired with a selection of fine wines and discuss their experiences with fellow students and chefs. On the second day, students refine their new skills as they rotate throughout the kitchen preparing a complete gourmet feast and, once again, dine with the chefs. At the end of the program, students receive a Salt apron, recipe book and certificate. This year's culinary experiences include:

French Classics | February 17-18, 2014 
 Feel the passion and learn the intricacies of cooking classical French dishes with a fine dining approach. You will work with Chef Rick and the Salt culinary and pastry team in a small group to prepare a four course luncheon. Learn the art of dressing a plate that stimulates all of your senses. Specialties include salade nicoise, tourchon, bouillabaisse, veal blanquette and crème brûlée.

Spanish Cuisine | April 14-15, 2014
 Chef Rick unlocks the secrets to Spanish cuisine inspired by Catalonia region of Spain. Learn the latest in cooking techniques by preparing classics including white gazpacho, tortilla espanola and roasted suckling pig. Students will learn the art of small plate presentation and master a classic coffee flan for dessert.

Holiday Classics | October 13-14, 2014
 For those who love to cook and entertain on the holidays, this Salt Cooking class is a place to indulge your passion. Professional chefs provide personalized instruction while you learn how to add a modern twist to holiday favorites that can be recreated at home.

The Salt Cooking School Package includes coastal view Amelia Island accommodations for two evenings and participation in the two-day cooking school (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) which features a daily continental breakfast, Champagne-du-jour and luncheon, as well as a Salt apron, recipe book and group photo. Pricing starts at $940 for one guest and $1,639 for two. Salt Cooking Schools are also offered á la carte, without room accommodations, for $400 per person (inclusive). Á la carte reservations must be paid for at the time of booking and are not refundable.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
 The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is Northeast Florida's premier oceanfront resort. Known for its unique natural beauty and warm Southern charm, this luxury resort is home to the award-winning restaurant, Salt, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island, named one of the top spas in the world by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Featured amenities include three pools, on-site golf, fitness center, tennis, children's recreation programs, and 446 guest rooms with private balcony and a view of the Atlantic coastline. For reservations, please call The Ritz-Carlton toll-free at (800) 241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/AmeliaIsland. For information on The Ritz-Carlton Company visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 85 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR).