BYOB usually means bring your own bottle ( full) to a party- but in Italy it has taken on new meaning. Bringing your own empty bottle to Vino Sfuso shops where they fill your empy bottles with wine from large demijohns or even large stainless steel vats, saving you money. No labels, no advertising, no…
Edible Florence: Obica’ Mozzarella Bar
I had a student say to me that all they had been warned that all places downtown Florence are touristy and to stay away. It is not true, many trattoria’s, restaurants and wine bars are in the same place they have been for generations and happen to be visted by tourists as well as locals….
Day-Tripping: Bologna
I adore markets,taking trains and day-tripping. It is a fabulous way to take mini-vacations without spending a fortune. I am on my way to combine all three! We are heading to Bologna to check out the Slow Food Market there on Saturday mornings and the cooking school Amici di Babette for my Fall Slow Food…
Certaldo- Home Sweet Home
Since moving to Certaldo, but working in Florence, it has not really seemed a home. Now that I am teaching cooking classes at Villa il Poggiolaia it has finally become home. Having more time here has allowed us to finally plant an orto , our own vegetable garden. We ate our first peas last week…
Spring is Here
Although the rain has been non-stop, Spring is here. The hills of Tuscany are like a velvet patchwork with tiny knots of red poppies everywhere. The wheat fields swaying in the wind, the grapevines finally forming leaves, filling in the hills with shades of green. Acacia blossoms ( Black Locust) dotting the trees with white…
Heading Home to Tuscany
Steve Sando and Judy at the Rancho Gordo demo My long tour comes to an end and I took a couple of hours to just sit by the ocean and breathe. People always ask me if I miss living in California- so much of the scenery is the same but there is no ocean. I…
On the Road- Seattle and Bellevue
Seattle has been a whirlwind trip- I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of my student’s graduation from Cordon Bleu in Seattle. After her trip to Tuscany a couple of years ago- she came home quit her job and followed her heart- getting a culinary degree. We have been dining and feasting…
More Than 18 Reasons in SF
the 18 reaons space on 18th and Guerrero in SFI love all the new alternative places that are opening up around the world to share the dining experience- hidden kitchens, secret suppers, dining in private homes instead of restaurants. In our society today, sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the fast-paced race…