There is nothing I love more than a food festival except perhaps being by the sea. When the two worlds collide, I am ecstatic! I saw that one of my favorite towns on the Tuscan Coast was having a 3 day celebration for the local specialty, Caccuccio, the fish soup. In San Francisco, we have…
Taste Chianti- New APP
2016 has started off with a bang. Doors closing but new doors opening. I closed my teaching space to concentrate on my weeklong programs and offer “Divine Day Trips” Custom tours of the market, day trips into Chianti or lessons at your villa. I spent the past winter recreating my app, which Sutro had…
Pizza- Santarpia-That’s Amore – Florence
Florence is so lucky, master pizzaiolo, Giovanni Santarpia just opened tonight in Florence, located behind the Sant’Ambrogio market. I am not a huge pizza fan, as I find most places rush the process and make a heavy dough but Giovanni has made me a pizza lover! Giovanni’s dough is made with love. He carefully selects…
New Beginnings
There is nothing more that I love more than new beginnings. This year I decided to close my teaching space in Colle Val D’Elsa, after 5 years. I had a 5 year plan, which was to have a space like my via Taddea space in Florence, but in Chianti. Been there, done that. In the…
Festivals {Viareggio Carnivale}
Italy is fabulous at festivals and some are totally worth planning a trip around. You do risk some bad weather, but, it is the best. My nephew was here for two weeks for a full immersion in food and festivals. We planned the trip around the Viareggio Carnivale celebrations, which are on the 4 Sundays…
Culatello Di Zibello- Italian Treasures
I was amazed at this intricate tying of the Culatello di Zibello outside of Parma. It is one of the most precious ( expensive) prosciuttos that exists in Italy. It is made using the central part of the back hams, cutting away the excess. It is heavily controlled and is part of the Slow Food…
Casa del Vino Enoteca
One of my favorite stops while down around the Central Market is Gianni Migliorini’s Casa del Vino an enoteca. It is one of the best wine shops and wine bars in Florence, old style. A simple counter, very few places to sit, a tiny table and great wine by the glass and wonderful sandwiches. As…
New Year- Old Recipe Tuscan Apple Cake
Sometimes the classic recipes are the best. On my old website I had a list of recipes from some of my favorite chefs and restaurant owners. I had gathered them before the era of blogging. With the redo of the site as also a new platform for recipes, travel tips and restaurant suggestions, I will…