Think of diets and thoughts of celery sticks and crisp breads usually come to mind.

But the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has partnered with the Live Healthy Bermuda 100-Day Challenge to help add some excitement to a diet.

The Fairmont is offering a series of 10 Live Healthy Bermuda cooking classes and will also introduce a special Live Healthy Bermuda menu at its Waterlot Inn, Jasmine, Bacci, Harley's and Heritage Court restaurants.

The Live Healthy Bermuda cooking series includes 10 cooking classes that highlight the food and techniques of the Mediterranean, a cuisine renowned for its heart-healthy benefits.

The classes – designed by Chef Cladys Magagna, of Bacci, will include a cooking demonstration of two to three dishes, food tastings and recipes.

The classes will allow people to learn about Italian food and develop a full understanding of the most unique cuisine in the world.

Italian Cuisine is one of the healthiest diets and is referred to as the Mediterranean diet, which is being encouraged by health care professionals around the world.

Live Healthy 100-Day Challenge takers who dine from the Live Healthy Bermuda menus will have the opportunity to enter their receipts into a prize draw for a trip for two to a North American Fairmont Hotel of their choice.

Barry Cohen, maître d' at Fairmont's Waterlot Inn, said: "Live Healthy Bermuda was a phenomenon last year.

"More than 2,000 people in Bermuda made their lives healthier by getting active and by being more conscious about what they eat."

President of Live Healthy Bermuda Terry Faulkenberry said: "I salute Fairmont for taking the initiative to provide healthy menu options in their restaurants and for informing their guests of the nutritional content of their Live Healthy selections. I think their involvement is fantastic and ground breaking in Bermuda."

The classes may be purchased as a set of 10 for $369, a set of five classes for $189 or individually for $39, based on availability.

The classes will take place at The Fairmont Southampton from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings beginning February 10.

Class information and reservations are available by calling The Fairmont Southampton concierge at 238-8000.