This season has flown by, there has been no time for blogging.
I am in the process of changing how I work and it is working well! I have been offering more week-long programs in Tuscany and in Sicily and this year I added Puglia to my list.
I don’t write about it online much, but many of my week-long programs are custom for cooking schools, culinary groups, chefs and their clients or just friends that want to have a special time together.
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| truffle hunting |
A happy Truffle dog, finding our first truffle
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| wine tasting in chianti |
Probably one of the most moving places we visited on our trip to Puglia, was Matera.If you haven’t gone— GO NOW. We did a little moving around, first based in Bari, then Alberobello and to Matera for 2 days and slept there in an incredible hotel where the rooms are in the old caves where they people lived.
The week-long programs allow me to share my experiences from living here for the past 30 years.
I am just pulling out the calendar to start to plan for next year. I adore creating special memories.
I already have some of my private clients booking again, but will repeat my St Joseph’s day tour in Sicily in March for sure. There is nothing better than being in Italy for a festival. St Joseph, San Giuseppe, is also Father’s day. Food alters are built and there are special dishes created for the celebrations including incredible ornate decorated breads.
I leave next week for Sicily again, and when I return will be posting the dates for all my programs.
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| from one of the new artisan shops upstairs at the Central Market in Florence |
As part of my weeklong programs, we also send a day at the Central Market in Florence. The market was first opened in 1865 and has just had a new rebirth— in April, when the upstairs artisan market was opened. It is heaven on earth! I will be writing a post on it soon.
I have also been writing more. I recently wrote an article on the market for Dream of Italy, the fabulous newsletter for Italophiles.
For The Florentine, Florence’s free English language paper, I recently wrote up the recipe for a traditional Tuscan dessert, Zuccotto, a personal favorite. It is lovely for the holidays. More recipes will be coming up for their site too.
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| the duomo shaped dessert, Zuccotto |
The winery Dievole in Chianti also had me write up some of my favorite things for their blog. Try my recipe for Salsa Verde. I love to serve it simply on hot potatoes, boiled or baked or with the classic boiled beef dinner we make for the holidays.
If you get homesick for Italy, you can follow my Instagram account.
See you when I return from Sicily!!!
PS did you see that my friends, the Planeta Family, finally published their recipes?I will publish the link for the English version when it is online.
I have made many of the recipes from the book while taking classes at the hotel/winery in Menfi, and am trying some of the other recipes and will post a sample recipe I have tried soon.
November is going to fly by and before you know it, Christmas will be at the door. This year I want to be ready with some new cookies for the holidays.
I will be doing a cookie cooking class at my friends new teaching center, Il Cipollino Felice in Colle Val D’Elsa and also preparing a Thanksgiving feast with my friend Chiara at I Latini near Certaldo.
Get ready for the holiday spirit, share your table with friends… there is no greater gift.
I am a friend of Ellen Kozak and am intrigued by your web site. I would love to travel to Tuscany once more and avail myself of your culinary expertise. Are you offering any programs next fall?
Many thanks!
ciao bella- yes– i live here all year long, so am always offering something. send me an email using the contact form. I have some fixed date programs or day classes and tours. Most of what i do now is custom!