I am helping my CEO plan his family vacation in Italy and wanted to arrange a 1/2 day or one day cooking class for his wife. They will be basing themselves in Sorrento and Castellammare Di Stabia, beginning June 20th. Wondering if any of the very talented cooks here at FK might be able to suggest some options to explore. Thanks in advance for your help.
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ISO: ISO Suggestions for cooking classes in Italy...
- Thread starter gail-sf
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oh boy oh boy. would I love to tag along! I copied these suggestions awhile ago
and I can't remember the source for the second one and I have no firsthand knowledge, but these might give you some information. I really don't even know if it's in the right region, but here goes:
"Although I keep telling folks that there is an Italy beyond Tuscany—all 20 very different regions of it—for those heading to the big "T," look at The Food Lover's Guide to Florence by Emily Wise Miller (Ten Speed Press, 2007). Along with a primer covering dining basics, wine and the regional foods of Florence and Tuscany, the author gives her picks of the city's enotecas, trattorias, pizzerias, restaurants, street markets and gelato shops, all arranged by neighborhood. A few cooking schools in the city are listed as are itineraries for culinary excursions further afield in Tuscany." from The Splendid Table
"I took a cooking class with Mama Agata in Ravello (on the Amalfi Coast.). It was a one day class, but I am sure she has others. It was wonderful. Her house is right on a cliff overlooking the sea and she raises her own vegetables in terraces below the house. Her daughter translates, so there is no language problem. "
and I can't remember the source for the second one and I have no firsthand knowledge, but these might give you some information. I really don't even know if it's in the right region, but here goes:
"Although I keep telling folks that there is an Italy beyond Tuscany—all 20 very different regions of it—for those heading to the big "T," look at The Food Lover's Guide to Florence by Emily Wise Miller (Ten Speed Press, 2007). Along with a primer covering dining basics, wine and the regional foods of Florence and Tuscany, the author gives her picks of the city's enotecas, trattorias, pizzerias, restaurants, street markets and gelato shops, all arranged by neighborhood. A few cooking schools in the city are listed as are itineraries for culinary excursions further afield in Tuscany." from The Splendid Table
"I took a cooking class with Mama Agata in Ravello (on the Amalfi Coast.). It was a one day class, but I am sure she has others. It was wonderful. Her house is right on a cliff overlooking the sea and she raises her own vegetables in terraces below the house. Her daughter translates, so there is no language problem. "
AngAK, Thank you, thank you!!!!
This may be the thing! Ravello is just the other side of the peninsula from where they are staying and is a definite possibility! Language shouldn't be a problem to her as she has been taking Italian at a nearby university in preparation for the trip and will likely find it fun to use her new abilities. I will certainly be contacting her for course information. Thanks again!
This may be the thing! Ravello is just the other side of the peninsula from where they are staying and is a definite possibility! Language shouldn't be a problem to her as she has been taking Italian at a nearby university in preparation for the trip and will likely find it fun to use her new abilities. I will certainly be contacting her for course information. Thanks again!
Mariane Esposito on PBS often travels to Italy. I wonder if her program on the PBS site
would have cooking class info. Just a thought. I also love Biba from Sacramento. We no longer get those cooking shows up here(grrrrr) but there might be info again on her show on PBS. I think the book that the Splendid Table recommended would be a good source. I will probably order it.
would have cooking class info. Just a thought. I also love Biba from Sacramento. We no longer get those cooking shows up here(grrrrr) but there might be info again on her show on PBS. I think the book that the Splendid Table recommended would be a good source. I will probably order it.
here is the link to a blog site: Judith in Umbria. You could write to her and ask for suggestions
I'm sure she would have a bunch for you.
http://www.judithgreenwood.com/thinkonit/discover-la-cucina-italiana/
I'm sure she would have a bunch for you.
http://www.judithgreenwood.com/thinkonit/discover-la-cucina-italiana/
My friend moved to Umbria in December...she might be able to give you
some good tips. Also, if you're traveling through Umbria, her blog lists several great restaurants in the area. Her S.O. is the guy behind Trampetti Olive Oil and she's got a strong culinary background as well...Any recommendations Jen would give are rock solid. Check out her blog for more info and shoot her an e-mail if you have more questions.
http://www.bruschettina.typepad.com/life_italian_style/
some good tips. Also, if you're traveling through Umbria, her blog lists several great restaurants in the area. Her S.O. is the guy behind Trampetti Olive Oil and she's got a strong culinary background as well...Any recommendations Jen would give are rock solid. Check out her blog for more info and shoot her an e-mail if you have more questions.
http://www.bruschettina.typepad.com/life_italian_style/
Suggestions for classes abroad...
I just read through your e-mail more thoroughly. One thing I might suggest is they definitely do a whole day of cooking. I've taken classes in both Thailand and Mexico. The classes that link to the local area...including a lecture or a tour of the market really help put the local in focus. It's amazing how the instructor will go over different ingredients/uses/philosophy, etc. and that gives you a great perspective for the rest of the trip.
Going forward, when I plan to take other cooking classes abroad, I'll definitely try to take them early on in the trip. If there's a good introductory discussion that's more in depth, it really helps. I thought I "knew" Mexican and Thai food, but then the lecture added another layer that was invaluable.
A friend of mine travels abroad a lot. One thing he does is, approach the chef where he's staying. The chef is often deeply flattered. Wherever my friend goes...from Shanghai to Cairo...he loves getting an insider's look into their kitchens.
I just read through your e-mail more thoroughly. One thing I might suggest is they definitely do a whole day of cooking. I've taken classes in both Thailand and Mexico. The classes that link to the local area...including a lecture or a tour of the market really help put the local in focus. It's amazing how the instructor will go over different ingredients/uses/philosophy, etc. and that gives you a great perspective for the rest of the trip.
Going forward, when I plan to take other cooking classes abroad, I'll definitely try to take them early on in the trip. If there's a good introductory discussion that's more in depth, it really helps. I thought I "knew" Mexican and Thai food, but then the lecture added another layer that was invaluable.
A friend of mine travels abroad a lot. One thing he does is, approach the chef where he's staying. The chef is often deeply flattered. Wherever my friend goes...from Shanghai to Cairo...he loves getting an insider's look into their kitchens.