Italian Traditional Cooking – from Italy with love.

Friday, July 14th, 6-9pm - $65 advance registration only

Instructor Chef Desirè Boualy

From Africa’s Ivory Coast to Florence to America, Desirè shares his passion for Italian traditional cooking with modern style and panache. Drawing from the cookbook Teaching Traditions - in which Desirè is one of the featured chefs - he has put together a wonderful 4 course meal. You will sample the courses with a lovely Tuscan wine.

Garlic is Life

Saturday, July 15th, 9:00-11:00am - $40 advance, $45 door

Instructor Garlic Farmer/Author Chester Aaron

Garlic King Chester Aaron grows some 90+ varieties of garlic from 30 different countries at his farm in Occidental. He will share his wealth of knowledge of variety types, planting tips, lore & recent developments in health research. You will also taste the differences between Italian, Eastern European and American varieties - we’ll provide the parsley! Bring your questions. His 3 garlic books and poster will be available for purchase.

Italian Regional Cuisine – Tuscany

Saturday, July 15th, 6-9pm - $65 advance registration only

Instructor Chef Desirè Boualy

Though not a native Italian, Desirè’s reputation in Florence is highly regarded by other Florentine chefs as one who “truly understands” the traditional Tuscan Cuisine. Chef Boualy will demonstrate a typical traditional summer Tuscan meal you can go home and make for your next dinner party.

Tuscan cooking has not changed very much since Florence joined the new Kingdom of Italy in 1860. The differences are superficial: less fat is used, vegetables are cooked for less time, meat is eaten more often, fish perhaps less often. But olive oil, freshly pressed and fruity, is still its foundation, and unsalted bread its very soul. The happy balance between peasant food and elegant cuisine can still be found in the restaurants and trattorie of Tuscany for the pleasure of the spirit and the palate.

Gelato Workshop

Sunday, July 16th, 3-6pm - $60 advance registration only

Instructor Chef Desirè Boualy

Gelato!--universally considered the best ice cream in the world.  Come and find out why.  In case you missed the last one, here’s another chance to learn how to make the most fabulous frozen desserts in your own kitchen. Chef Boualy will take us right down to the basics and into the traditions.  In class, we will make a traditional cream-based gelato, which then becomes the basis for chocolate gelato and leads to a fresh fruit sorbet; a lemon granita; and a parfait.  Join us for a “hands-on” learning experience that you can take home, where you will be able to make a fabulous frozen dessert any time you want, even without a machine.

Italian Regional Cuisine - Lazio

Thursday, August 3rd, 11am-2pm - $65* advance registration only

Instructor Chef Marcella Ansaldo

The cuisine of Lazio is the cuisine of Rome. From recipes handed down to us over the centuries, Ancient Roman cuisine used rich combinations of flavors, at times even daring. Roman cuisine is particularly healthy since only the freshest ingredients are used and the very best is extracted from each one. Chef Ansaldo will demonstrate a typical Roman four course meal featuring one of the most celebrated Roman dishes, which you will enjoy with Lazio regional wine.

Italian Traditional Cooking – from Italy with love

Friday, August 4th, 6:30 - 9:30 pm $65* advance registration only

Instructor Chef Marcella Ansaldo

Taking recipes from the cookbook Teaching Traditions, in which she is a featured chef, Marcella will share some classic recipes in a four-course meal. Italian cuisine, long celebrated for its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple preparation techniques makes a perfect fit for our busy lives and ready availability to locally grown food. She will explore the cultural significance and traditions of regional cooking and cuisines while demonstrating how to create these dishes.

Seafood Workshop

Saturday, August, 5th, 6:30 – 9:30pm $70* advance registration only

Instructor Chef Marcella Ansaldo

Although Marcella now lives in Florence, her heart and especially her cooking style, remain devoted to the tiny Isola del Giglio - her birthplace. Though some of the seafood available in the Mediterranean is not available off our coast, Chef Ansaldo will work with our freshest local finds and create three separate seafood dishes you will be delighted to discover and experience.

Al Fresco Dining- The Delights of Summer

Sunday, August 6th, 4 – 7pm  $65* advance registration only

Instructor Chef Marcella Ansaldo

One of the surefire signs that summer has arrived in Italy is the sight of families and friends savoring delicious meals together al fresco in the warm Mediterranean sun. Whether it’s in the bustling piazzas and cafes of the city or in the tranquil vineyards and valleys of the countryside, Italians everywhere take advantage of the season’s slower pace by lingering over lunch or dinner in the open air. Chef Ansaldo will demonstrate how to delight your friends & family with the wealth of Sonoma’s bounty.