I opened my cooking school in front of Florence’s Mercato Centrale in 1988. I had moved here in 1984 and took 4 years to really learn the language and study the local cuisine. When I arrived here I was pretty much an Italian food virgin. Like many people, Italian food of the 80’s was more…
Divine Days- Livorno
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…
Food Markets in Tuscany
When ever I go anywhere, the first place I want to see is the city market. If it is a large town, there will be a market in a building. Smaller towns have weekly markets in the small squares once a week or more. We have monthly markets for organic food markets, flea markets and…
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…
Sicilian Saturdays- Biscotti Reginelle
Entrance to the food market “CAPO” one of my favorites in Palermo When I was there in October they were preparing for several holidays, one of the largest, OgniSanti, where you honor the dead. As in Mexico, sugared figures are made. ( I WANT SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!) Our guide was telling us as a small child,…
Making Good Memories
Good Memories sounds much better in Italian, Buon Ricordi. My name is Judy and I have an addiction. There are not a lot of things I can’t live without. After being in Italy for almost 25 years, I can get along without most of the little things in life that I thought I needed. I…
Food Markets- Feast for your Eyes
Palermo I have always been drawn to food markets, even before my professional foodie days.Florence Nice to know I am in good company! Mimi sheratons article is a fabulous list of where to see great markets. For me they are always the place to catch a glimpse of the daily life and to get tastes of…
Shop Local… Eye Candy
In my cooking classes in Florence, Italy where I moved in 1984, there was no other way to shop than daily… and local. Florence has two fixed market places, built in the late 1800’s when Florence was made the capital of united Italy. The Central Market, which is right outside my kitchen-studio window, is a…