Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Museum and Cooking Classes

Johnson & Wales University's culinary program has been the start of the careers of many notable chefs, although it's best known as the place where Emeril Lagasse went to culinary school. Although Emeril went to the professional school, travelers can check out the college's recreational program, called Chef's Choice. Most classes run for about a half-day, focusing on cooking techniques, international cuisine, baking skills and so on. Check out the list of available classes here. All recreational classes are held at the David Friedman Center, 1 Washington Avenue, at the Harborside campus.

Any food enthusiast with a penchant for history should check out the university's Culinary Arts Museum. Although it's also a bit off-the-beaten-path, the museum is dedicated to preserving the archives and artifacts of the restaurant and hospitality industry. Here you'll find intriguing documents like menus for U.S. presidential state dinners, collections of cookware and cooking appliances, special exhibits focused on food production and art, and plenty of information on the good old fashioned diner , which got its start in Providence in 1872.

Read more about Rhode Island's Favorite Foods.