By Nathalie

The swanky upstairs cooking school at Nella Cucina, that new-ish culinary emporium in the Annex with the soaring sightlines and glossy (but serious) cookware, is finally up and running. Classes will feature local guests like Frank The Butcher –not a Gangs of New York extra but a bona fide butcher –chocolatier Jenn Stone, and Massimo Capra, he of Mistura’s beet risotto nonpareil. But the fledgling school’s biggest get yet is surely Susur Lee, who needs no introduction in certain swooning culinary circles. (But for those who think Kraft Dinner with soy sauce is Asian fusion: Lee is the charismatic and eponymous proprietor of Susur and Lee restaurants on King West, widely acclaimed as one of the best chefs in the world.) He will teach an evening demo class on June 9 ($150 a head) that features his world-famous technique. As Chowhound will likely be abuzz within the hour, would-be foodies had best book now.