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		Alessandra's REAL Italian Cucina
This page is intended to be like a photo album that will help me, and I hope you, remember these fantastic days I have spent with you people, I had fun, and I had the chance to meet fantastic people. Fenomenal, each in their own way, and with which I experienced the most interesting and sometimes instructive discussion, this is like my thank you note to you all, my way to celebrate you all, it has been an honor to have you all at my house. Some I never heard any longer, some have become friends, some are close friends. But I truly have great memories of you all. Thank you.

Alessandra shared more than just her family’s recipes. She showed us how to stir the ragu like her Mama does, how to let the risotto cook without getting gummy, how to plate each serving with care. She also showed us the love and pride that goes into every Italian dish. This is the memory I treasure the most. Sandy from wistlestop cafè

Sandy and Holly, toasting.	Sandy plating antipasti		Sandy handling tagliatelle

Julia and I have returned home with memories of 15 beautiful days in Italy . . .and at the top of the list is the day we spent with you in your home cooking and eating and drinking and laughing! We learned so much, truly enjoyed your company and had so much fun! Not easy to find words to express our gratitude . . grazie mille for an amazing experience. Betsy from Tallahasse FL Alessandra, I join in the thanks for our best day in Italy! I made Tiramisu earlier this week, to take to a dinner party and whipped up some risotto last night for a friend in about 30 minutes, feeling so confident! Julia from Washington

Betsy and Julia, soooo nice!	Tagliatelle surprise!		Us...

I was in Tuscany last week and took a wonderful one day cooking class with Alessandra through Journey to Enlightenment Tours (http://www.tuscan-tours.com). Alessandra is an amazing cook and the class was the highlight of the week. We ate our lunch with Tania and Keith, who organize the tours. Not only did I learn about cooking, I learned a lot about the local culture and foods. I thought that I would pass it along since I enjoyed it so much. Alessandra, I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful cooking class you gave. It was seriously the highlight of my trip and I have already tried several of the dishes that we made that day. Amy from Switzerland

Homemade tagliatelle alla Puttanesca	Amy...!		Antipasti

hey Alessandra! So glad to have met you and taken your class! I think I am still full! so delicious. we went back to the hostel and slept for 3 hours and didn't need dinner (of course). Hanna and Ursula from LA The beautiful photos below were taken by Hanna who took the class with Ursula.

Nunziatina at the veggie store.	The butcher and its clients.		Ursula rolls!

Thank you for the wonderful time that we were able to spend at your house. We all have great memories of the cooking and the fun we had. Even though the children were quiet they did have fun. My sons want to make the meatballs as soon as possible. My Daughter wants to get a pasta maker. Dear husband has decided to use less garlic and heavy spices since your class. We are all glad of that. Judith from USA

Patrick and "necklace" Noah	The whole family except for Judith		Judith!

It has been a few weeks since I returned from Italy. However, I wanted to get in touch with you to tell you how much I enjoyed the cooking class I shared with my friends. It was a wonderful experience to have you welcome us into your home and share with us your Italian recipes. The food was delicious! You have a gift for making people feel at ease and for making the cooking a delightful experience. I had a lot of fun that day and I hope that the next time I visit Cortona I can repeat that experience. Nancy, USA

A tavola!	Veggies at the market		Stuffing flowers

Ale's cooking classes are memorable not only for the amazing food, but for the unforgettable person that she is. You will finish your day with an understanding of the importance of food in the life of an Italian family, and an appreciation of how this fits into the fabric of social life. You'll also learn how "making do with what you have" is the basic philosophy of the "real" Italian kitchen. Alessandra is an inspiration. She makes you want to go home and COOK! Gail from Gail's great escapes

Snack time.	Basta food!		Hey...where have you gone...helloooo!

Dear Alessandra, It has been a few weeks since I returned from Italy. However, I wanted to get in touch with you to tell you how much I enjoyed the cooking class I shared with my friends. It was a wonderful experience to have you welcome us into your home and share with us your Italian recipes. The food was delicious! You have a gift for making people feel at ease and for making the cooking a delightful experience. I had a lot of fun that day and I hope that the next time I visit Cortona I can repeat that experience. Judy, USA My Mom (Judy ) and I were there last Saturday and we had the most amazing time! The class was my birthday present and it was one of the best gifts ever. Alex is wonderfully funny and so easy to get to know. I felt like we knew her forever from the minute we met her! Nancy, USA

A very perplexed Judy.	Nancy loves meatballs!		Judy at the market

Cara Alessandra, What is better than a day in Tuscany? It is spending that day in the kitchen with you! Thank you so much for 'Alessandra's real Italian cucina' and cooking with you in your home. Living in Italy I have had the opportunity to attend some of the best cooking schools available. While all were wonderful experiences yours was the most special. Why? Maybe it was starting 'school' by first sitting in the square sharing a cappuccino. Or going with you to your favorite butcher and fruit and vegetable vendor. Or being in your home, a real Italian home where you and your family talk, eat and entertain, Or working our way through all those delicious recipes and making, by hand, 'ravioli al radicchio di Treviso e zafferano. It could also have been YOU! Funny, full of energy, patient and a fabulous cook! Grazie mille again for such a special day! Sheryl, who now lives in Cortona Again thank you very much for the great cooking lesson. I will email you with how I go cooking them when I'm back in Australia. Samantha from Australia.

Sheryl, Ann and Cathy	At the fruit shop		Ann, Sam, Sheryl and I and Ugo, the cat

My entire family had such a wonderful holiday and enjoyed so much your cooking class on Friday, a day that we will never forget. One of my most memorable days. I'm going to start making some of those recipes this weekend for my family! I think I'll start with the Tiramisu, I was pretty good at separating those eggs I'm expecting my dad to make me some fresh pasta too :) Tina from Canada I wanted to thank you for such a fun cooking class last week. We really enjoyed that day, one of the best times of the week ... A great experience we'll never forget. I'm still dreaming of those delicious olives. Illness or not, you really are an inspiration: You have such a warm spirit and a wicked sense of humour. Lara from Canada Thank you so much for such a memorable day. This was, by far, the best day I've spent in Italy. The food was fantastic, of course. But the company was what made it so special. Lou and Sandra, and Laura and Tina were so dear. But spending the day with you was very special to me personally. You are a pleasure and a joy to be with. Sometimes we run across people who leave a permanent mark on our lives. You have done that for me. P. S. Oh yeah. I can't wait to go home and begin cooking!!! Debbi What an incredible experience at your cooking class. Saw the picture with Lara and I making pasta. Hope to return to Cortona some day and take another cooking class. That day was the highlight of our trip. Love and many blessings! Thinking about you over the next few weeks. Jane from Mississippi

Debbi and the antipasti	So much fun over tagliatelle!		Cee Cee and Jane: tomatoes and wine

My father was looking at the pictures last night from the cooking class and he was remembering what a good time he had how much he enjoyed everything. And I guess this picture speaks for itself on how happy my husband was, Today made the homemade tagliatelle pasta, Polpettine di olive and the tiramisu...gonna have a good supper..mmmmm!!!! Pesto last night was amazing, even the kids loved it! Grazie Alessandra!! Natalie from Canada

Gaetan and a lot of pasta!	Happy People...but seriously, put those bottles down....		Gaetan the great and I!


Erika..	Antipasti!!		Man at work..


Gigliola the nicest veggie vendress	Risotto ai porcini e burro al tartufo		Zucchini nostrali


The pasta team	Roger		At the table!.


Claudio at the grocery store	Coffee and cookies		Annette and I


Spaghetti al tartufo, pureUmbrian style	Photo time		Artichokes


Il Cipo	Pots and pans and skillets... oh my!		Handcut prosciutto


Vegetarian Antipasto	Grilled artichokes		Zucchini blossoms


Christine and I making meatloaf	There was a story behind this "seven" I know...		So, do you think we should tell him we're just wasting time??? NAAAAHHH..


Natalie plating antipasti	Wait and see!		Cooking with commitment!


Rolled frittata with baked cherry tomatoes	Il Cicci!		Meatrolls and grilled rtichokes


Ravioli al Radicchio	Amaretta al cioccolato		Simone al lavoro!


Happy Pam	Jennifer		Greens


Auntie Pasta!!!	The tree amigas having a good time		Six of a kind...

I dragged my reluctant husband, who had gone to Italy to make pilgrimages to motor sports shrines, to this one day cooking class, and I do not think I have to tell you who had the most fun in the class! All in all, it was a memorable day and one of the best days in our two week trip to Italy. We would recommend this class to anyone who wants an informative, and yet informal, introduction to Tuscan cuisine and contemporary Italian life. Christine from a Trip Advisor rview...thank you Christine!

Christine	Pasta time!		Peter and Christine


Love&Food, pt1: Trampas and Lori and the lovingly stirred risotto	Love&Food, pt2: Jack and Cindy and the lovingly drank wine		Love&Food, pt3: lovingly cooking: Jake and Lori


Gigliola la bella	Francesco e Simone, the butcher brothers.		Keep frying away!


Tortino and berries!	Sauvignon blanc di Cortona		damigiane


Adam and Carol	Tomatoes		Francesco e Simone


Lisa is deciding on a new hair style	Cortona from my house		Merna and Claire "cleaning" the chockolate on the whisks


Risotto al pomodoro	Francesca mangia		3 classes in one shot!


Antipasti...I mean, more of them...	Leeanne and Sandy		All of them


Thank Goodness for patios!	THE BEST PASTA TEAM!!!		Madison
PLEASE NOTE You are encouraged to leave your comments about the classes you have done on this site, just send me an e-mail, if you have a picture that will be welcome too! I will be happy to post it! Send me an e-mail here! If on the contrary you don't want to be posted on this site, please accept my apologies and tell me, I'll remove you right on!
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