Italian cooking holidays

TasteItalia, leading British magazine for Italian food lovers- distributed world-wide.

 

 

"Unspoilt Lazio is the setting for this cookery school, passionate about the local produce and culture.

 

Underpinned by a commitment to local farming and food producers, Convivio Rome is a cookery school with a passion for the food of Italy and in particular Lazio, of course. It all began back in 2001, when owners Sally and Guido Santi set the wheel in motion organising cookery courses in the Bel Paese, and eventually settling in Toffia, a medieval hilltop village in the Sabina area of Lazio. As her name suggests, Sally is not Italian, although she shares the passion for food inherent in the natives of that country. Eleven years ago she made her way to Italy from Australia and like so many others was captivated by the people, the culture, the history and the food and wine. She adores her new home in Lazio. “This is a very special area of Italy not only because of its wild natural beauty and magnificent views but for me it is truly authentic. There is nothing commercial, no neon signs, no foreign newspapers and definitely no tourist buses. It is not uncommon for our neighbours to knock on our door offering us a paper bag filled with fruit or vegetables that have just been picked from their fields.”

The beauty of the area was not the only reason to stay – she had also met her husband Guido and together they founded Convivio Rome Italian Cooking holidays, which allows them to share their love of Italy. Guido is a native Roman, for whom food is more than just a career. “Every evening, I prepare food for my wife and daughter that has come from my grandmother’s family,” says Guido. “The secrets of these Italian recipes have been passed down from my grandmother to my mother and now onto me. I want to share this love and passion that my family has always had for good food and wine.” So those who attend a Convivio Rome cookery holiday can rest assured that they will be learning about authentic Italian food, full of family history and personality. On top of an innate love of food, Guido also has the professional experience requisite in running a successful cookery school. A food editor for many years, Guido has met some of the most celebrated Italian chefs and learnt their secrets first-hand. Having run cookery schools in other parts of Italy, England and Australia, he has built up some serious cooking knowledge and is now in charge of Convivio’s Italian cooking classes and wine-tasting sessions. These classes have an emphasis on the freshest food available in season, the balance of flavours and ease of preparation.

Perhaps most importantly it’s about having fun, enjoying yourself. The team like to think they offer more than just a cooking holiday. The courses include a day trip to Rome, a walk through an olive grove to learn about the ancient art of making olive oil, a wine-tasting evening and, importantly, free time to relax, or discover your own secrets of the region. Guests can experience life as a resident of Toffia, with personal accommodation in a restored historic home, allowing an immersion in the Italian way of life in what is still a haven from the mass tourism of other areas. This is a holiday that hits all the right buttons, good food and wine, a beautiful setting, new skills and fun."

 

 

"Living like the locals is their motto. And if these locals are living so well, you will find it hard to leave after your seven-day visit to Sabina, between Rome and Umbria. Sinking into the local life in the medieval hilltop town of Toffia, where the classes are held – and much of the accommodation – the unforgettable experience offered by Convivio Rome is only rivalled by the excellent recipes and cooking skills you’ll take away with you. With three mornings of lessons with an Italian chef followed by lengthy lunches and visits to neighbouring villages and markets, this is a great choice if you want to discover a less known part of Italy and also visit the Eternal City."

 

 

 

"The best way to learn about a country’s cuisine is to go there. A step further would be to bring a slice of that food know-how back with you, by learning to cook from an Italian passionate about his country and its food. Guido Santi is just the man. He and his Australian wife Sally Ransom have set up a unique cooking holiday in the gorgeous hill-top medieval town of Toffia in the Sabina region, just an hour’s drive from Rome.....

Guido’s advice for pasta-lovers is to choose the make with the roughest edge ‘to better take up the sauce’. The results of our cooked pasta and the addition of the pesto was divine. It was followed by meat cooked with sage and fruit with a chocolate dipping sauce for dessert. But holidays here are not all about slaving over a hot stove. We visited an olive grove, walked around the pretty village of Farfa and enjoyed a car ride up to see more historic hilltop towns – a feature of Sabina. With the sights and smells of Italy around you and such perfect hosts, you cannot help but relax and fall in love with the country – and bring a little cooking know- how back with you to impress your friends."

 

The Liberty Times -  Taiwan's biggest daily newspaper.

 

This article was submitted by Cecily, one of our clients, after her week-long cooking holiday with Convivio Rome in 2007. This is the e-mail she kindly sent to us:  

 

"I tried to write down my Toffia Italian cooking experience and send to Taiwan's biggest newspaper(they had a weekend column to introduce the readers' special travel experience)........you know what, they really published my Toffia experience on the New Year's special travel column!

 "The Liberty Times" is Taiwan's biggest newspaper, they print 800,000 sets everyday. I know you can't read the story (as it is written in Chinese). Sorry I can't translate all of the story. I described the beautiful small town-Toffia and my one week living experience there. I really wanted to share my fantastic experience with all of the readers.

You can find my name on the top area and the familiar photo of Toffia. That small area is my beautiful memories of Toffia and you all. Best Wishes, Cecily"