A native of Buffalo, New York, Michael Parentis, MD, provides patient care as a surgeon with WNY Knee and Orthopedic Surgery. Recreationally, Michael Parentis, MD, maintains a passion for food, especially Greek and Italian cuisine, and has taken classes at the Culinary Institute of American (CIA) in Napa Valley. The CIA maintains two campuses in Napa Valley, one in Napa and the other in St. Helena. The Napa CIA is housed in Copia, and daily demos and classes at this location focus largely on pairing wine with food and mastering basic culinary techniques. However, offerings can also cover entertaining tips, various key tricks, and recipes that are meant for the whole family. In St. Helena, the campus is located at Greystone. Here, demos and classes focus on seasonal cooking with local ingredients grown in the Napa Valley wine country. The demos are offered only on weekends, and the recipes are always paired with local wines. While at Greystone, individuals can visit Brother Timothy’s Corkscrew Collection, the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies, and the Vintners Hall of Fame to learn more about the history of winemaking and its intersection with culinary exploration. Individuals can learn more about the specific upcoming events on both campuses at CIAChef.edu.
