Cookery courses for the adventurous
. . . an Italian cooking holiday in the heart of the Prosecco wine area

• Spectacular accommodation in the Veneto

• Cookery courses for the adventurous amateur

• See the most fascinating region in Italy

• A special holiday to always remember

The Veneto region is located in the north eastern part of Italy, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Most people speed through the region on their way to one of the famous Italian cities or towns. Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet, with its amazing Roman amphitheatre where the operas are performed live during the summer months. Venice with its waterways and wonderful buildings and sense of history. Its small cities are renowned for their art and fine living, and only a few miles to the north the Alps begin, their foothills dotted with picturesque towns and lined with world-class vineyards.

It is a region full of names we all associate with Italy such as Treviso, from which comes radicchio, Soave from where many a bottle of wine has borne the name, Lake Garda surrounded by lemon and olive groves and framed by the might of the Alps, Valpollicella with its lush valley the home to countless family wineries and many more.

Culinary Art

Enjoy an Italian cooking holiday in the heart of the Prosecco wine area in the Veneto. Stay in the beautifully restored farmhouse, where Antonella will teach you how to prepare wonderful meals at home. Her philosophy is that food is central to life; it should be full of flavour, beautifully presented and eaten in a pleasing, relaxing ambience. It should not be necessary to spend hours in preparation either; all it needs are the right skills and attitude. It is a question of lifestyle. Come and learn the 'arte culinaria'.

Flexible and caring

Since they normally take a maximum of six people, Arte Culinaria will tailor-make your holiday as far as they can. Their cookery courses last either one week or three days but if you wish to get your own group together then they can talk to you about adapting the course to suit your needs. Lessons are fully hands-on, flexible and fun. All transport will be arranged and there will be trips to local food markets, wine producers and places of cultural interest.

Non-cooking Friends and Partners

You have a friend or partner who wishes to accompany you, but not take part in the cookery lessons? He or she can be very well catered for. There are many beautiful walks, we have mountain bikes and a small indoor swimming pool, and there is a spa in a castle that lies a short distance away. There are numerous producers of stylish clothes and shoes in the area. Buy their products at factory prices. A local sculptor offers lessons in his art. Remember, you are coming to the most fascinating region in Italy.

The Courses

Courses will concentrate on the cuisine of the Veneto - its antipasti, pastas, risottos, gnocchi, crespelle, sorbets, mains and desserts. Learn how to make homemade pasta and gnocchi (small, dumpling-like starters). Ingredients used will be seasonal - you might prepare an asparagus lasagne, a pumpkin risotto, crespelle (a kind of omelette/pancake) stuffed with radicchio di Treviso or try making a 'sgruppino', based on lemon (or coffee) sorbet and vodka, that cleans the palate magnificently. Main might use guinea fowl, quail, pigeon, or simply pork and beef. Desserts include homemade ice-creams. Learn to be boldly creative, and cook with confidence.

The 'arte culinaria' Experience

The courses will be conducted by Antonella Tagliapietra, who has a real passion for cooking. Antonella takes traditional Italian recipes but is not afraid to add her own creativity to produce wonderful results. There should be no mystery about cooking, and Antonella will show how easy it is to produce dishes that burst with flavour. Classes will be fully hands-on, with a maximum of four students. Each lesson will last around three hours, and the fruits of your labour will be eaten afterwards in wonderful surroundings. Having lived in London, Antonella speaks fluent English.

The Wines

Meals will be accompanied by wines of the Veneto and Friuli. One of the great joys of Italian wine is the existence of many indigenous grape varieties. There are hundreds of gems in our area just waiting to be discovered. Taste the wonderful whites of malvasia, ribolla gialla and incrocio manzoni, and the reds of raboso, refosco and schioppettino - among others. There will be no dogma however; you can also drink your Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and Chardonnays. Appetites will be stimulated with the local sparkling prosecco, and local grappas can top off your meal.

For dates and prices visit the Arte Culinaria web site <click here> or send them and email <click here>

Sample one week course

Sample three day course

For dates and prices visit the Arte Culinaria web site <click here> or send them and email <click here>

Accommodation

Accommodation at Casa Gialla consists of a double bedroom with ensuite bathroom, and a single bedroom with ensuite bathroom. We also have a self-contained apartment with a double bedroom. A further single bedroom in the main house can be used if two guests do not mind sharing a bathroom. All rooms are full of character, and are beautifully decorated throughout. The kitchen where courses take place is full of character, maintaining an old rustic style, while being well equipped with modern equipment. Views of our courtyard, and the medieval castle on the hillside behind, are quite stunning.

Other Features

We have our own leisure centre, including a small indoor swimming pool and a table-tennis table. This centre can be used seasonally. There is also an Eighteenth century bread oven that is used to make bread and pizzas. Castello Brandolini can be reached by a five minute walk, followed by a short trip in a funicular railway. The castle has a spa, theatre, and various bars - the views from its ramparts are wonderful. In summer it occasionally hosts concerts. Throughout the year there are various food festivals in local villages that might be attended.

For dates and prices visit the Arte Culinaria web site <click here> or send them and email <click here>