Highlights from Mexico

I have been through internet withdrawl! My stay in Mexico was fabulous both the week in San Miguel teaching and the week with my friend Ruth and foodies in Mexico City. But I didn’t bring my laptop and was lost without it.

Woman in the Jamaica Flower Market
I am still jet-lagged but trying to catch back up on emails and planning for the new classes in Certaldo at the Villa il Poggiolaia which begin in March, besides the totally inclusive week-long programs it is possible to book just classes or add on market tour Monday in Florence and also a Chianti tour on Friday. Ask for more details!
In April, I travel back to the West Coast for a cooking class at Cavallo Point, April 17th and other classes to be planned in SF, Portland and Seattle.
This month will head down to Sicily to finalize the Sicily dates for this year. Although I can arrange them anytime for private groups of  or more, I will organize a group tour in June and late September.
Our core group in San Miguel had a blast! Not only did we cook, eat and drink-

We also spent a fun day with “outsider” artist Anado at his studio/home in the countryside making our own “nichio” shrines. For anyone going to San Miguel, it was a rare experience and I can’t wait to go back and learn more. 
 
Cooking was wild. We had from 17- 25 students for hands-on classes and really put the three kitchens to use! Best day was the roast pork and Sicilian pizza bread in the wood-burning oven. It got so hot, we burned the top of the pizza bread- but saved it and watched more closely for the second batch. The roast pork was spectacular- 

 We went directly to the slaughter house to buy a full pork roast on the rackI adore Mexico so much. Especially the markets and street food. This year I couldn’t really get enough, so will have to go back next winter. I have been invited back to teach in Mexico City for the locals and that will be so much fun! This year we attended the Slow Food Tamalada at the Fondo San Angel, and met many of the Grand Dames of Mexican Cuisine.I visited an old friend, Ricardo Munoz Zurita at the Cafe Azul y Oro, always a pleasure- his food is fabulous and through Ruth, met some new foodie friends, which gives me even more reason to return!
 
 Chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita and his fabulous fresh corn cake at Azul y Oro
 Touring at the Dolores Olmeda museum in Xocimilco

I will post more on my trip later, and share some recipes from Mexico, my second home. Winters in Mexico, the rest of the year in Tuscany- a perfect life.