FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Roll up your sleeves, tie your apron strings and season your Roman experience with a hands-on cooking lesson.

Food has always been central to the hearts and minds of Italians and is an essential component of the country’s culture. Ancient Romans are reputed to have been gourmands as attested by one of the earliest-known cook books, the De Re Coquinaria, containing recipes by 1st century Roman chef Apicius, and paintings of food and banquet scenes uncovered in Pompeii. The “epi-curious” might also like to know that hundreds of Italian expressions, sayings and proverbs in common use are inspired by gastronomy and the act of eating: Che pizza! = What a pizza! (What a bore!); Dire pane al pane e vino al vino = To say bread to bread and wine to wine (To call a spade a spade); Non si fanno frittate senza rompere le uova = You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs (You have to take action, if you want to bring about change); Al contadino non far sapere quant’è buono il cacio con le pere = Don’t let the farmer know how good cheese is with pears (Never show others how much you are interested in something because giving away a secret might hurt your interests).

By teaching you how to prepare traditional dishes this cooking lesson will allow you to dip further into Italian culture and give you a key to understanding the local food-centred way of life.

You will meet your instructor in Trastevere and begin your day with a pleasant walk through this picturesque, lively neighbourhood to Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere where your kitchen caper takes place. En route stop at local food stores to purchase the ingredients needed for the cooking lesson. Under your host’s watchful, friendly eye, you will discover regional recipes, get to know about Roman culinary traditions, try out infallible cooking techniques and have fun creating a delicious lunch. After the experience enjoy the meal you just prepared… compliments to the newly qualified chef!