WHAT TO EXPECT
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Our school is nestled in the chestnut tree-covered hills west of Cosenza, the very small village of Marano Marchesato.
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First, a family-owned 400 year-old Palazzo turned B&B and an adjacent treehouse village nestled in the olive trees. This is the lodging component for our school.
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Next, we have cadre of "Nonne Calabresi" or Calabrian Grandmothers who will share the histories of the foods they cook and how they came to cook them. Each day of the week, a different Nonna will she her secrets to making pasta, sauces, cheeses, salami and the myriad of preserved vegetables that lasts a Calabrian family throughout the winter months.
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What you'll learn how to make depends on the season and the grandmother. Got a special request? Let us know.
Finally, our translator and guide, is certified by the Italian government and is our highly-respected bridge between the non English speaking grandmothers and our North American students.
Each class comes with a "field trip" where we your local farms, vineyards, specialty shops, markets and food/beverage manufacturers. These Field Trips are included in your tuition fee. You don't have to go. but they will be part of what you p[ay for. We want you to spend at least one FULL day with us. A 4 hour class doesn't come close to teaching the lessons that need to be taught.
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Our desire is to teach the history of Calabria through its iconic foods. Many of these were brought to Calabria via thousands of years of invasion and occupation. Using grandmothers (nonne) to help us tell the origin stories of traditional Calabrian cuisine. While tourist don’t go to Calabria…travelers do. And, it’s to these people, our school provides what they seek. Authenticity. There is nothing more authentic than a Calabrian grandmother.
What's Included​​
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20 hours of instruction in typical and traditional Calabrian cooking. Pasta’s, breads, pork specialties, fish, cheese, vegetables. 4 hours per day x 5 days.
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Lunch after each class. Wine is included.
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"Field Trips" to local farms, vineyards, markets and specialty producers.
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Translator/Certified Guide
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Driver and Van
What's Not Included
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Airfare
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Transfers
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Dinners
Location
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Day to Day
SUNDAY
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Arrival/Check in – All Day
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1800 hrs - Benvenuto/Apertivo (Welcome/Happy Hour)
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2000 hrs – Cena (Dinner) Ristorante Macrito. Meet Marcella.
MONDAY – FRIDAY
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0700 – 0830 hrs – Colazione (Breakfast) at Palazzo Conforti.
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0900 hrs - Class Begins.
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1100 hrs - Break.
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1115 hrs - Class Resumes.
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1300 hrs - Class Dismissed and Pranzo (Lunch) Begins.
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1430 hrs - Tours of Vineyards, Farms, Markets and Shops.
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1730 hrs - Return to Palazzo Conforti
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Dinner on your own.
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