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 recent comments from clients of our Italian cooking classes in Umbria in 2009.
Cooking with Nonie and Tita was a thoroughly amazing culinary experience.
After the lesson was scheduled, choosing the right dishes to prepare became a challenge for me, a very picky eater. But Nonie was patient and made very creative and ultimately delicious choices.
Nonie met us at the hotel (which helped prevent any unwanted detours and delays) and we were off to Tita’s farm with its breathtaking view. But you don’t go there for the view; however, it certainly added to the experience of cooking in Umbria. As a team, the ladies workßed very well together which indicated thoughtful planning and preparation to make it fun and engaging. Nonie provided a fascinating background on each dish as we began to prepare them. Tita’s techniques were easy to follow, understand and informative – basics such how salt is used in cooking and essentials of Italian cooking, “battuto” and “soffritto.”
After a few hours of “slaving in the kitchen” and enjoying some chilled vino bianco, we enjoyed a 6-course meal that was superb from the easy-to-make antipasti to the decadent chocolate dessert.
It is said that the highest form of flattery is imitation. Since my cooking lesson in Umbria, I have made several of the dishes, especially the pasta e ceci, sharing them with friends and family and for them to dream enviously about cooking in Umbria too.
James and Mike
We talk about our trip all the time, and cooking with you and Tita was the highlight. Thank you again for great memories.
Julie Grossman and family
Hi Nonie,
Thanks again for the wonderful cooking experience---lovely setting, great teachers, fantastic food, and awesome organization!
Peter, Trive, Laura and Mike
Nonie
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful cooking class you did for us at Susan's place a couple of weeks ago. It was a fantastic experience and we even made one of the dishes for a party last weekend.
I posted a note about our experience on my blog. Here is the link if you're interested.
Thanks again.
Inga Aksamit
www.ingasadventures.com
Nonie
Sorry I didn't write sooner but my Blackberry was down for a bit. We so enjoyed our lesson with you. We even made the lava cakes again!! It was so good to do something all together, especially something that ended up being so delicious. Thanks again for everything!!!
Mary Ellen Connerty
Hoboken, NJ. USA
Hi Nonie,
Well we have just arrived back in Victoria, after a fabulous trip and I must say the afternoon we spent with you and Tita was certainly a high light. I have included a picture of Tita with her glasses on, as she seems to have loved you taking that picture. Also please let Tita know how honoured we felt, to have been able to learn and eat in her wonderful home. On our journey we had a simple tomato basil soup, would Tita have a recipe for this simple, but delicious soup? Thanks again for a wonderful afternoon and we would love to be able to return and enjoy another afternoon with you. Thanks for picking us up and we certainly look forward to meeting again.
Cheers,
Mike & Ethel
Hi Nonie
We wanted to thank you and Tita for a wonderful cooking class. The experience was the highlight of our trip. We’ve made the cheese baskets several times already. The other recipes are next in line. We’ll definitely tell others about your class and the true story of bruschetta. If you’re ever in Pittsburgh, let us know and we’ll treat you to some of our recipes. We included some pictures of our class.
Ciao,
Jon & Julie Oberdick
Lloyd & Anna Guiliani
Dear Tita and Nonie,
We had a wonderful time this past summer during our visit to Tita's kitchen.
I promised you a pepper mill and I would like to send it over to you guys but I do not have your mailing address. I think you like it it was created by a chef's in California and it grinds pepper like you've never seen before. It has two separate grinders and I was able to get a European adapter to charge the pepper mill with.
We have had a wonderful time with the recipes we learned enough friends have been very impressed especially with the molten lava cake.
I hope this e-mail finds you both in good health and enjoying the Umbrian sun.
I look forward to hearing from you so that we can send your surprise to you.
Best regards,
Connie, Eddie, Jorge and Melissa
Pompano Beach, FL
Dear Nonie and Tita
I have just realised it is 8 weeks since we returned home from our European holiday and I had forgotten to send you our thanks for the wonderful afternoon in Tita’s kitchen.
We had never taken time out from our holiday schedule before to attend a cooking class but I would recommend it to anyone. It was a great way to get more of an insight into Umbrian food and culture, and of course to enjoy a great meal and wine at the end of the class (and during!). I’m glad we did the class with the other couple from England, as it was more fun than just the two of us. Tita your recipes are wonderful –simple but special – and Nonie you did a fantastic job of translating, instructing, and making sure we all participated and enjoyed ourselves. Together you make the perfect team! Attached are a couple of photos showing how much we enjoyed the day.
Since coming home we have made some of the recipes, and will also be inviting some friends over soon for a special Umbrian lunch. We will have to practice the Torta al Testo before the big day!
We hope you are both well, and that business is not suffering too much in the current economic climate.
Cheers
Mary and Michael Regan
Sydney, Australia
Nonie,
Finally a picture from our day with you!! It was so wonderful and fun! My sister and I loved it. We are from Tennessee and Missouri.
Hope you and Tita are well. Tell her hello.
Joyce McMahan
Hi Patricia!
Although we are back in reality, but it’s not so bad – finally sun and warmth come in Lithuania :) Hope, sunny and warm weather stayed in Italy as well :)
As promised, we send you some photos from cooking lesson. That day at Tita's house was amazing and we had existing time. Tita and you surrounded us with warmth and cosiness and let us feel as at home. Thank you once again :)
Best greatings, big kisses and strong hugs to you and Tita from both of us :) Take care!
Ieva
Hello Nonie and Tita,
You ladies were fabulous! We had the greatest time with you both. The meals were fantastic and we are doing them at home. Of course the first one we tried was the chocolate volcano. Thank you so much for your hospitality, your informative lesson and most of all for your friendship. We would make this our first stop when we return.
One question from us newbys...what is the equivalent of 4oz. of flour and sugar when we measure by cups? We thought it might be 4 oz. equals 1 cup of sugar and 2 oz equals 1/2 cup of flour? It tasted good to us but thought we should make sure. Once again and we send our love and appreciation.
Linda and John
Oregon, USA
Three of us joined Nonie and Tita for an afternoon of cooking in Tita's home. We were joined by two other Americans and proceeded to have a fabulous time. Nonie is originally from New York and has lived in Perugia for thirty years. She picked us up at our hotel and took us to Tita's where we proceeded to cook up a storm! We had so much fun cooking the four course meal that time just flew! We drank wine and laughed until it hurt!!!
Afterward, we were joined by spouses and were served the fabulous meal we had prepared, accompanied by excellent wines and great conversation. Tita has a beautiful home and we felt absolutely comfortable there. Nonie is a wealth of information on Umbria and the food of the area. At the end of the meal each of us was presented with our very own "Umbria Cooks4u aprons!"
It was so much better than I could have ever have imagined and I absolutely recommend it if you are in the Perugia area.
Belinda Brown
