Food in Italy is a really sensitive matter. A social matter. Everything  evolves around food, every social gathering, every invitation, every visit starts or ends up around a table. Best friendships are built over a tasty plate of pasta at times.

If you happen to visit somebody after 5pm, the invitation is automatic, and if the host doesn't have anything ready and planned, the garthering will become an unformal and confortable party, people will share what they have and possibly cook and chat or ask you to help. This is why Italian ladies go crazy at cleaning their house everyday, you have to be ready for every possible evenience, even an impromptu dinner.

"It is not only a matter of cooking it well, it's a matter of sharing it with pleasure!"

This is what my neighbor and friend Imola (in her early 70es) loves to say, whenever she brings me the new crop from her garden, be it salad, tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, self produced wine or her pride, her Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

I ALWAYS double bake making her sweet tooth happy.

In my area –the heart of  Tuscany-,  the most offensive thing to say somebody is “Ma hai mai mangiato a casa mia??” translated in “have you ever eaten at my house?” 
The meaning is powerful. If I never wanted to share my table with you, you are not a friend, you don’t deserve my attention and the time I’d spend cooking for you, that is why Italians are disappointed when you don’t accept their invitation.

"Alessandra's style of cooking transforms normal ingredients into delectable feasts easy enough to prepare for any meal." says Tania, from journeys to enlighenment.
I offer full day cooking lessons to small groups (from 2 - 6) in my family home.

Lessons will start with a trip to the local market to select fresh and seasonal ingredients for the meal, I would like to show you how Italians do their shopping.

Everyone will be asked to help prepare a fest meal, our meal will comprehend:  multiple antipasti (appetizer) primo (first dish, usually pasta, rice or soup), secondo (main course), contorni (a side dish) and dolce (dessert). Local wine will be provided during the cooking lesson and also be served with the meal.

This is a full working experience,  under my direction,  you'll learn tips and tricks of  the Italian kitchen, what my mom, my grandma and my neighbors have taught me in the years. You'll be asked to help at every level, but nobody will be upset if one would decide to stand back and watch only.

After your lesson we will indulge at my  family table to savor the fruits of our labor and enjoy the chance to get to know eachother better, as you feast on your freshly prepared meal.

You will receive a printed menu of the recipes in English to take home with you along with your memories of this unforgettable experience and slice of "real" Italian life.

Cooking classes with Alessandra include detailed instruction in English, a scrumptious meal, plenty of wine and a lot of fun!

To book a cooking class for Alessandra's "Real" Italian Cucina, or for questions or further information please send Alessandra an e-mail here.

We look forward to cooking with you soon!

 
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PLEASE NOTE

We accept payments via Paypal.

If you want to use bank wire, please e-mail to Alessandra for information. 

Please read our sales condition.

We decided to remove the indicative prices in US Dollar, because it was too confusing for some people.
 Please  check here the exchange rate. 

Il Girasole© Copyright  1999-2012
by Alessandra Federici