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 comments from some of our first cooking class clients in 2005.
"Joan and I had a wonderful time with you all. Food was the best.
(Think
who the cooks were) Great friendship with Nonie and Tita and their best
friend Maurizio who serves wonderful wine. Thanks ever so much."
Your friends,
Joan and William - Denver, Colorado
Dear Nonie and Tita,
"The food and presentation created by UmbriaCooks4U surpassed our greatest
expectations. We've been traveling to Italy many times a year, for
fifteen
years, and never has our arrival been so easy and delightful......the
meals
and the ambiance you created for us were just perfect (the white lasagna,
the BEST)......we were completely spoiled and plan to be so again ! Thank
you, thank you."
Pamela and John Moye -
Borgo di Montemigiano
"Our cooking experience with Nonie and Tita was the highlight of our trip to Italy and one of the most gala meals ever spent with friends"
Alicia Addis & Mark Hoffman - Mar Vista, California
"it was a great experience in a perfect setting. Tita and Nonie are a lively combination that made the learning, cooking and eating delightful. The day flew by. I'd do it again!"
Janese Evans - Plymouth, Minnesota
"Wow! What a fabulous evening of cooking, eating, drinking and sharing of
cultures. This experience was one of the 'highlights' of our stay in
Tuscany. Tita and Nonie became instant friends to our group of 12 people!!
There was an enornous amount of planning and preparation to do before
arriving at our villa. They came very well prepared and with a menu to die
for! Thank you for an awesome Tuscany/Umbrian experience."
Marie Wake - California
"As a travel consultant specializing in individual and small group travel to
Italy, I have always attempted to share the 'real' Italy not yet tainted by
tourism with my clients by staying in small towns, visiting their local
craftsmen and attending their festivals. Last April I had the pleasure of
bringing a small group for dinner at the Umbrian countryside home of Tita
and Nonie. Not only did I enjoy a delectable dinner, but I had the pleasure
of observing the intercultural and relaxed exchange between the guests and
hosts. I would highly recommend a dinner or cooking class at the home of
Tita and Nonie."
Craig Arcangeli
Travelers' Depot Inc.
Fitchburg MA U.S.A.
"It is hard to imagine doing anything when enjoying the idyllic Umbrian
countryside. However, tucked away in Perugia, is charming home where you
will learn how to prepare a true feast. Nonie and Tita welcome you into their
kitchen as though you were family. Over the course of the next several
hours, not only will you come to appreciate the simplicity of their instruction,
which has been catered to your specific interests ,but you will marvel
at the perfect balance of seasonal freshness and mouthwatering flavors. When you
sit down at their table afterward, enjoying your preparations expertly paired
with wine, you again feel the warmth of their hospitality. It is, without
a doubt, simply something you must try if you have even the slightest passion for
Italian food."
Mike Horak & Tom Moore -
San Francisco, California
"Here's a recipe for Love & Happiness:
Get together with some good friends, rent a lovely house in beautiful
Umbria, arrange for Nonie and Tita to come over and show you the delicious
secrets of Umbrian Cuisine, throw in some good wine and enjoy for many years
to come.
What a great way to spend a day!!"
Jessica Ruiz -
Los Altos, California
"We wanted to express our gratitude for the wonderful cooking lesson. The
day met all of our expectations and more. First of all, you planned a
terrific menu - great choices from appetizers to desert. The dishes were
interesting and just the right amount of challenge. You really made us feel
comfortable - you are so warm and friendly, and made it easy for all of us
to participate in the Umbrian cooking experience. We especially enjoyed
watching Daniel, our young chef of the day, work with you. He had a
wonderful time, and will have great memories of the day. In no time at all
we felt right at home, and after all of the cooking was done, enjoyed
dining at the beautifully set table with china, fine glassware and linens.
Thanks for a fun and informative cooking lesson, for a delicious meal and
for the pleasure of spending time with you."
Adrienne, Stu, Matt and Daniel Gruskin -
Ossining, New York
"My wife and are serious foodies and cooks and I must
admit that we were apprehensive that we might be
underwhelmed by the day of cooking and eating that we
had arranged with you in the Country House outside of
Perugia. Well...underwhelmed we were not....it turned
out to be just right. We were exposed to some new
ingredients and some new techniques and to the two of
you and it was a great experience which we would
recommend to anyone!!"
Tyler and Jill Phillips
San Francisco, California
"A small group of friends and myself rented a villa in Umbria for a week to
celebrate a 40th birthday. We scheduled a private cooking class with Nonie
and Chef Tita which turned out to be one of the most wonderful
memories/highlights of our entire trip!
The day was very lovingly put together, so personal and thoughtful. We
learned many new recipes and have eagerly repeated them back home for
'Italian Nights' with other friends and family.
In the early morning we went to our local village square for the farmer's
market. Back at the villa, we excitedly began our preparations, organized
so that all could participate. Later that beautiful day we feasted and
drank to our heart's delight, poolside in the warm country sun.
Here's to good food, good friends and laughter. Just doesn't get much
better than that! I highly recommend this experience to anyone - no matter what
your cooking ability."
Karen Miller - Los Angeles, CA
