Here’s an idea for jaded chefs – up sticks to a sunny country and get your customers to pay you to fly out for a few days at a time.
Stirred Cookery Holidays launches in May 2016 with UK chef Sophie Braimbridge at the helm, making the most of the produce for which the Venice area is renowned.
Based at Villa Casagrande, a spectacular 15th Century Palazzo situated an hour north of Venice in the foothills of the Dolomites, guests will learn how to create regional Italian dishes such as faraona in salmis con salsa peverada (roast guineafowl with spicy pepper sauce) and seppia col nero all Veneziana (cuttlefish stewed in its own ink) through in-depth, hands-on cookery classes, as well as exploring broader Italian cuisine.
Roux Brothers trained Sophie Braimbridge has cooked in some of the world’s leading restaurants, including Le Gavroche, the River Cafe and Chez Panisse. Villa Casagrande will play host to a number of exciting chefs in 2016, amongst them 2011 MasterChef finalist Tom Whitaker who made a stunning debut in the Veneto this Autumn, and Bocca di Lupo’s head chef Jake Simpson.
As well as cooking classes, guests will experience some of what makes this iconic area so rich and varied in produce. A trip into Venice to the Rialto markets to pick up the best seasonal produce to bring back for classes is followed by a private boat ride to an island where guests will sample some of the most exquisite cuisine the peninsular has to offer. Seasonal truffle hunting, mountain cheese tasting and visits to wonderful local osterias are all on the menu.
“With Stirred we wanted to create a holiday which went beyond that of the every day cookery school and into the realms of something more experiential – relaxing in elegant surroundings, taking in culture, socialising and learning – all with a natural focus on great food and produce, fine wines and adventurous cooking,” said Stirred co-founder Sarah Roberts.
Be warned: Its pricey
Dates & prices for 2016
15th-21st May, 5th-11th June, 12th-18th June
4th-10th September, 11th-17th September,
18th-24th September. 2nd-8th October, 9th-15th October
Price: £2,575.00 pp. £250 single supplement
The package includes:
Six nights’ accommodation, tuition, food, wine, trips, tours and tastings, lunch in Venice, dinner at a local restaurant, transfers to and from Venice Airport at recommended pick-up and departure times. The price does not include flights. Private transfers can be arranged.
