GUSTO INFINITO...Gourmet Cooking Week in the Marche

Gourmet Cooking Week in the charming historic hilltop town of Recanati, birth place of one of Italy's most famous poets, Giacomo Leopardi.

This fabulous cooking holiday will be held from the 23rd to the 30th of October 2010.

The price is $2200 per person for the whole week, based on accommodation in a superior double room, single occupancy at the current rate of exchange. A room for double occupancy would be $3400 for 2 course participants. Another available option would be: double occupancy where one person does not participate in the course for $3000 (although all meals for the non-participant are included). We can also offer Italian language lessons for a "non-cooking" companion which would be at the $3400 rate.
Absolutely everything besides airfare is included: transport from/to Ancona airport,
7 nights accommodation at a highly acclaimed 4 star Hotel, all food & drink (during activities, including wine and water with meals), local transportation, visits to an olive mill and markets, cultural activities and 6 days of cooking school with renowned chef Franco Taruschio.

The menu and schedule has not been finalized yet. Below is the previous schedule for May 2010.

SATURDAY 15th MAY

Arrive at Ancona airport and transfer to the hotel in hotel minibus

Upon arrival you will be welcomed with a yummy glass of Spritz Veneziana followed by

LIGHT LUNCH

Home-made bresaola with shaved fennel and artichokes in oil
Tagliolini con barba di frate e prosciutto
Parmesan ice cream with strawberries and balsamic vinegar


After lunch take time to get acquainted with this beautiful historic town..the shops open at 4:30! Map of the town provided.

6:00 Anyone wishing to assist the cooking of dinner is welcome!

DINNER 7:30

Puntarella salad with anchovies and parmesan shavings
Porchetta with potatoes tocchetti and cicoria strascinati
Spumoni amaretto
Coffee - digestivo


SUNDAY 16th MAY

8:00-9:00 BREAKFAST

9:00AM Lesson

11:00AM Crescente with prosciutto di Carpegna + glass of Prosecco

LUNCH

Piemontese peppers
Abbacchio (lamb)
Fennel giudea
Potatoes and parmesan gratin
Marsala semifreddo

7:00PM Lesson followed by

DINNER

Fried zucchini flowers stuffed with mozarella and ricotta
Vincisgrassi (baked pasta with porcini mushrooms, prosciutto, parmesan and truffles. Very umami!
Baked peaches stuffed with amaretti and almonds



MONDAY 17th MAY

8:00-9:00 BREAKFAST

9:00 Lesson

11:00 Crostini with Maro + glass of Prosecco

Demonstration of pasta making by local lady
Prosciutto with pear and coriander
Assaggio of cappelletti in brodo
Tagliolini with asparagus
Terrina di ricotta

Afternoon free

7:00PM Lesson followed by

DINNER

Goat cheese crostini with rocket, pear in red wine, agresto and toasted pine kernels
Pollo in potacchio (chicken)
Fave in porchetta (broadbeans)
Strawberries and mascarpone gratin


TUESDAY 18th MAY

Early BREAKFAST

8:30 Leave for Porto Recanati to buy fresh caught fish from fishing boats on beach and from fish markets for evening meal.
Visit open food vegetable market to buy produce for evening meal

12:00 Light LUNCH at Nenetta Porto Recanati

Afternoon visit to the extraordinary Basilica di Loreto followed by a masterclass with Claudio at a top local Confectioner

7:00 Lesson followed by

DINNER

Pannocchia (mantis prawns)
Brodetto (fish stew) with bruschetta
Misticanza (wild herb salad)
Honey and brandy ice cream

WEDNESDAY 19th MAY

8:00-9:00 BBREAKFAST

9:00 Lesson

11:00 Olives Ascolani with glass of Prosecco

LUNCH

Cured anchovies
Gamberoni with campofilone pasta and balsamic dressing
Red mullet Anconetana
Barba di frate
Plum torte

Afternoon visit to Gabrielloni to see how olive oil is made and olive oil tasting
Visit to Sirolo and Porto Nuovo

DINNER at a seaside restaurant


THURSDAY 20th MAY

8:00-9:00BREAKFAST

9:00 Lesson

11:00 Crostini with chicken livers and sapa - glass of wine or Prosecco

LUNCH

Carciofi in tegame alla romana (artichokes baked with mint)
Potato gnocchi with duck sauce
Spuma di cioccolato con lamponi (chocolate mousse torte with raspberries)

AFTERNOON FREE

7:00 Lesson followed by

DINNER

Zuppa di passatelli con gamberi
Quail stuffed with fig, pancetta and grappa
Peas with prosciutto/ salad
Polenta chips
Torta della nonna

FRIDAY 21st MAY

8:00-9:00 BREAKFAST

9:00 Lesson

11:00 Crescia di formaggio (cheese bread) with ciauscolo/salame

LUNCH

Asparagi con uova e pancetta
Tonno umbriaco (drunken tuna)
Erbe di campo
Cantuccini with local sweet wine
Fresh fruit…cherries etc.

AFTERNOON

Visit the Tod’s/Prada outlets for shoes, bags, clothes.

Stop in beautiful Macerata for some shopping?

DINNER in an agriturismo (to be determined)

SATURDAY 22nd MAY

Departure for Airport