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"I took the cooking class with my mother this past winter and it was the highlight of our trip to Italy! The food was amazing and Nonie and Tita were accommodating, warm and fun....not to mention wonderful chefs!"

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What they're saying about us...

Below you will find articles and reviews of our cooking school in Umbria as well as comments from clients who have taken our cooking classes and those who have dined with us at Tita's house near Perugia or had a dinner catered at a villa rental.

The following are recent comments from clients of our Italian cooking classes in Umbria in 2011.

Comments 2011HI guys,

We wanted to apologize for taking so long to write to you! After getting back home we got so caught up with the catching up, from the month we took off that writing to you slipped our minds completely (although we never forgot about you!).

What can we say. Umbria, would not have been the same without you both. We came to Italy for our honeymoon wanting to experience many firsts together. We decided taking a cooking class in Umbria was a must. And boy are we glad we did. From the moment you met us at the meeting point, (again sorry for being late :P), and we met you and the other 2 ladies from Australia we knew we were going to have the time of our life. They were hilarious! The energy and sense of family was apparent right away. We then drove up to Tita’s wonderful home. The setting could not have been more perfect. Everything was perfect for that matter! We had so much fun cooking, telling stories, and connecting with strangers in a way we wouldn’t have thought possible. The best part of it all was the wonderful feast we had at the end.

Siete stati magnifici. il pranzo che ci havete insegnato a preparare era proprio incredibile. Abbiamo provato di replicare il pranzo pero non era buono come è stato con voi, ma con la pratica sono sicuro che andrà meglio!!!

Again, Nonie, Tita, thank you for everything you guys will always have a place in our hearts and memories!

I attached a few pics we took that day. They won’t all fit here so I will send in separate emails.

Regards,
Tammy and Andrew

Hi Nonie,

Comments 2011We're back in the USSA! with fond memories of Italy and of a certain two women who helped make it so special. Here are some photos to help you remember who we were, and how much fun we had. I miss that NY accent. Everyone we've talked to about our trip so far couldn't care less about our sightseeing, they want to know about the cooking class. So far, you're getting good reviews.

John

 

 

Comments 2011I am writing to thank you and tell you that your cooking classes were the highlight of our say in Umbria. We so thoroughly enjoyed your humor, excellent preparation prior to arrival and excellent recipes. Just today Dick and I traveled to Portland, ME to the only Italian grocery store and purchased dried chick peas so that I can make that wonderful soup. We had dinner with Peter and Delta last evening at a friend's house and they, too, mentioned how much fun they had. Wednsday this week I am having 25 people for a chili party including all our Italian travelers. If you ever get back to the States and are near Boston in the summer or Savannah in the winter, we would love to treat you to a dinner at our home. Attached are a couple of fun photos. Our best to Tita too.

Carol

 

Comments 2011Hi there,

We arrived safely home, albeit very tired. So thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and Tita. Thanks again so much for your help and thoughtfulness.

Virginia Bittler

 

 

 

 

Comments 2011Dear Nonie and Tita,

We are home, rested up, and enjoying wonderful memories of our Italian holiday. Lucille, Ed, and I all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon spent with you. In fact, it was Ed’s first cooking class. He had such a good time he is willing to do it again!!! Lucille is busy trying some of the recipes in England, and I have stopped dropping and spilling everything I touch. I’m planning a dinner for friends (on my new Deruta dinnerware) to show off my Umbrian skills. Our kitchen has been stocked with roasted tomatoes since we returned home. They don’t last very long…

I’m attaching a couple recipes for you: the Coleslaw that’s become a staple in our home and a traditional Jewish cinnamon apple cake that I have been making for many years. It’s delicious with cappuccino any time of day. I would appreciate your pork roast recipe.

We all send the warmest regards and thank you for creating a memory we’ll never forget. Susan

 

Comments 2011Dear Nonie and Tita,

Thank you so much for such a wonderful afternoon and evening, cooking with you both in Tita’s beautiful home. I enjoyed making (and eating!) all of the dishes and it was such fun with the rest of the guys that I joined up with – Duncan, Brian and Kath - we all really hit it off.

I had a huge smile the whole time I was with you and I’ve been raving about it ever since I’ve got back to the UK! I had a fantastic holiday in Umbria with my family, and my time with you guys was very much a special part of that.

Thank you and best wishes to you both,

Sarah Dorset, UK

Comments 2011

Our afternoon with Nonie and Tita exceeded all expectations. We learned about Umbrian cooking. We ate delicious food. But most of all, we enjoyed being with these fun and generous ladies at Tita's beautiful, peaceful country home. We would recommend this class HIGHLY to anyone who wants an authentic, creative, inspiring experience. For a mother and daughter pair like us, it is perfect. We can't wait to come back!

Mary Margaret and Diana Yodzis, North Carolina, USA

 

 

 

Hello Nonie,

We have arrived home safely from our wonderful trip to Italy, we finished it off with 2 days in Rome........

Reviewing our trip, we have shared fond memories of our cookery class, we all agree it really was a highlight of our Italian experience and not one to be missed, seeing the way some recipes are cooked and then doing them ourselves and then getting to eat them it was so inspiring, you made us feel very welcome and at home straight away. Lucy has already tried the tomato pasta with her friends and it was delicious, please send me the recipe for the pesto so George can try it for herself.

We spoke with some close friends of ours yesterday and their daughter is going to study in London Physiotherapy, we were telling them your stories and they asked if I would send them your email so their daughter Olivia could contact you to share your experiences, I hope that's OK.

Once again, thank you so much..........

Hope our paths cross again,
Warm regards
Tracey x

Comments 2011

Thank you so much for a wonderful time in the kitchen. We truly enjoyed ourselves. You and Tita really did an amazing job with teaching us new things in the kitchen.

Thanks for a great afternoon. We not only had a great time but I learned a lot too. Here tita is finishing off the incredible veal dish. Grazie Mille Tomaso

Anthony, Dave, Tom, Bruce
Baltimore

 

 

 

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We are back at home and I have finally gotten a chance to sit down and write you and Tita a note of thanks as well as send you some pictures.

All four of us agreed that the day we spent with you and Tita was the best day of our whole trip to Italy! Starting from you picking us up at the train station to our HUGE hugs goodbye, I felt like I had spent the day with old friends rather than two wonderful women that we'd just met. I've never done a cooking class on vacation and had some concerns that we were devoting a whole day to going up to Umbria from Rome. As soon as we met in person, though, all that went out the window. You and Tita were so much fun and full of life! I can't believe we made all those tasty dishes without feeling rushed and while having such a great time and good wine and sharing some fabulous stories. Oh the Torta Rustica is on the top of my list as the first dish to make here at home. Ken had a perma-smile on his face the whole train ride back to Rome. I can't thank you two enough for the really special afternoon that you gave the four of us and to Tita for making us so welcome in her home!

Cheers!
Rosanna, Michele, Amelia and "just" Ken

 

Comments 2011

A  fun adventure into the culinary world of Italy, Nonie and Tita share their technique, culture and of course wine, all throughout an afternoon of laughs and lively conversation in a beautiful Italian villa"

Kyle Lee

A  fun afternoon set in a beautiful house, full of good food and great stories"

Greg Lee

 

 

 

What a great day we had yesterday with you and Tita !!! You both exceeded our expectations. You work so well together and made this a memorable experience for us. You made it fun and taught us so much while laughing and keeping us on track. I would recommend your classes (and will). We will praise your talents to anyone who has an interest and even to those who do not. Thanks for making us "friends" and entertaining us in your home and for sharing your immense talents and personalities with us. We hope to see you in New York City.

Rita and Fred