My Tuscan Journey
The Inspiration
The colors and smells of the kitchen are the heartbeat of Italy. There is harmony. There is an affair with the food that reflects love and artistry. Conversations and decisions are made at the table, whether it's the country kitchen table or the special family restaurant in the city. The abundance of offerings from the land gives you endless inspiration, and the grand selection of wines enhances the experience. The plates are layered with these cultural gifts that emphasize each flavor, no matter how subtle. Rustic food is filled with rich herbs and vegetables that feed your soul. Generations have bonded over the meals and family gatherings that cement this heritage together. I was so grateful to be included in these special moments and to be given the chance to learn from this great country, a talented chef and his staff. What a gift.
“Una Buona Mamma Vale Cento Maestre- A Good Mother Is Worth A Hundred Teachers”
Family
The warmth and vitality of the people will teach you lessons. It is fascinating to be privy to their secrets for a family dish or sauce. A preparation that seemed so effortless, was in fact, the influence of many generations. Skills and traditions passed on to family members, like a precious gift. Practiced to perfection. My children loved cooking in Italy and tried all the different produce that was available. That's when the cooking together was fun. We would laugh, play music, sing and dance. Sharing all our adventures, we giggled about tomorrow and wondered what would happen next. I respected every rule of cuisine and food preparation there, like it was a spiritual journey. I realized how important a time it was, and how vital the culinary environment was to my future. We would be allowed to benefit from this time together as a family.
