Cooking Vactions in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento is a one-of-a-kind immersed cooking class that captures the art of Italian cooking, while eating, learning, and enjoying "la dolce vita." In Italy, la dolce vita is not a special occasion, it's a way of life. Owned and operated by entrepreneur and Napeopolitan native, Andrea Azzariti Fumariti and writer/photographer - Italian/American, Lauren Scuncio Birmingham, "Cooking Vacations in Sorrento, Italy" is set to open April 1, 2004. The course explores the food, love and life of Southern Italy.

The cooking classes offer a culinary experience of old world recipes, representing the history and culture of centuries-old Italy. Classes, under the direction of head-Chef Maria Aprea (of Osteria La Torre Massalubrense and Slow Foods member) are held daily from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with dinner following. The cooking class incorporates a hands-on-experience approach, coupled with trips to local food producers and artisans. The program is a culinary cooking adventure - where each student will learn to prepare hearty Italian recipes using fruits and vegetables from the four seasons.

Location of La Cucina da Lucia & Paola

La Cucina da Lucia and Paola (the kitchen of Lucia and Paola) is located in a country farmhouse set in the hills of Sorrento, and boasting a panoramic view of the Bay of Naples. The cozy well-equipped kitchen, enclosed in an open-air gazebo, is set under lemon and olive groves. A brick-oven is located outside, along with a large butcher-block style kitchen. Fig, cherry, and peach trees surround the garden and grapevines climb the arbor. Wild roses cover the lattice, while the smell of lavender, bougainvillea and wild flowers fill the air.

An organic garden grows abundant supplies of tomatoes, eggplants, zucchinis, lettuce, Swiss chard, peppers, strawberries, raspberries, basil, and oregano. Emphasis is placed on using seasonal fruits and vegetable, picked daily, in the recipes. Class members eat the fruits of their labor after class at dinner. Dinners are held in the garden lasting long hours.

The kitchen is forty minutes from Naples; and twenty minutes from Amalfi, Positano and Capri (by hydrofoil).

Recipes

The recipes used in the program, of great grandmothers Lucia & Paola, are five generations old. Each recipe represents the many tastes and colors from the provinces of Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Salernno Amalfi, Positano, Capri, Ischia and Naples. Campania, a land blessed with the sun, is a gastronomy rich area, producing a bounty of fruits, produce, fish meat, poultry and game.

Italian Cooking

"Cooking Vacations in Sorrento, Italy" takes one into the heart and soul of Italian cooking. Classes give hands-on techniques in preparing assorted antipastos, pizza, soups, pasta, seafood, meat, vegetable dishes and desserts. Local women teach the classes and share their secrets of jarring fruits & olives, cooking with flowers, baking Taralli, making pasta, stuffing ravioli - and preparing ingredients with flavor and love. Each student will learn the techniques that have been passed down from Azzariti Fumariti's and Scuncio Birmingham's great grandmothers.

The classes are intimate, and limited to a maximum ten. Each class teaches the historical notes behind each recipe, and their variation from paese to paese. Part of the program includes a visit into the bustling outside marketplace in Sorrento (unknown to tourists), where vendors greet patrons by name. A tour to the ancient cobblestone streets in old Sorrento's marketplace, a trip to the local butcher and fishermen in Marina Piccolo are also included. Day trips are also available to Caserta and Avelino's vineyards. Students will be able to taste varieties of rare wines and specialty liqueurs, meet local artisans and taste their products.

La Cucina Da Lucia & Paola

The kitchen is named after Azzariti Fumariti's and Scuncio-Birmingham's great grandmothers, Lucia and Paola. These women were great little chefs, who spent their days cooking in the kitchen. They believed that having their family eating around the table was the most important thing in their life. Lucia was born in Prata Sannita-Caserta, and Paola was born in Naples, and their recipes have been passed down and now used in the cooking classes.

"Cooking Vacations in Sorrento's" classes are scheduled April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Classes are Monday through Sunday and begin at 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Cost per person is $500-$1500 depending on course selection and amount of hours and including round trip transportation services from Naples Airport to Sorrento with professional car service. The entire staff speaks fluent Italian and English. Dinner is served at 8:00pm. Classes do not include accommodations. Rentals are available, ranging from a three bedroom, a two bedroom and a studio apartment, at Villa La Terrazza (visit us @ www.villaterrazza.it for more information or to reserve).

"Cooking Vacations in Sorrento, Italy" presents a great opportunity for people who love to cook in a friendly comfortable atmosphere. Students, upon completion are offered a Lucia & Paola Cookbook and local Italian spices and herbs.

Festeggiamento

The final dinner is held at Villa La Terrazza. The famous Villa La Terrazza owned by Andrea Azzariti Fumariti, is a pearl white and pastel yellow construction, perched high on the cliffs of Sorrento. It was built and owned by the Royal Gunderrode Family since 1896. The villa is still privately owned and operated by Azzariti Fumaroli, fifth generation grandson of the Royal Gunderrode Family from Frankfurt, Germany. La Terrazza, located at 38/40 Via Luigi De Maio, Sorrento, Italy, offers unique vacation accommodations and a venue for private events and weddings.

Program

The Four Seasons:

Spring-Cooking with fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Summer-Cooking with fresh vegetables, fruits, and grilling over burning grapevines.

Fall-Cooking from the fall harvest.

Winter-Cooking hearty fire-side meals.

Our menu consists of traditional Italian soups, fresh salads, pastas, Neopolitan pizza, hearty main dishes, desserts and liqueurs. Private classes are available upon request.

Family-Style Cooking: Creating hearty menus to serve the entire family.

Cooking For Singles: Creating single portion menus for the career-minded single.

Express Cuisine: Preparing a dinner in less than thirty minutes.

Cooking Light: Creating low calorie menus for the health conscience.

Holiday Cooking: New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas, Birthdays, Wedding's, Anniversaries - Learn the history of holiday recipes-traditional Christmas cakes and cookies, Easter breads, candies, dolci; and Saints' Days-recipes and traditions.

Cooking For Children: Creating easy and fun meals for children, slumber parties and birthdays.

'Passiona - La Cena Per Due' A private dinner, served in Villa La Terrazza, a turn-of-the-century villa.

Romantic Dinner for Two: A unique dinner, paired with appropriate wines and music, for the romantics at heart. Italian Intermezzo-creating themed dinner parties, accompanied with romantic Italian music.