Jo’s Culinary Jaunts
Frascati’s very own resident Italian food coach and blogger Mrs Josephine (Jo) Donghi (www.myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com) has been conducting bespoke food experiences and events since 2004 both in Frascati and Rome. She likes to create options and adapt them to suit her clients, not the other way around, and her philosophy is that good food is philosophy in itself. Her mother is from Frascati, she is fully bilingual, fun, bubbly and generous, and this is time well spent! Jo likes to shop locally and preferably at markets and farmers markets and uses only the best-quality ingredients, including olive oil (evoo), pasta brands, organic flour, milk and eggs – even sea salt. Her menu is always seasonal. She asks that people inform her in advance of any health issue they might have when it comes to food, and whether they have definite dislikes for certain foods or are vegetarian or vegan. Below are just an idea of the type of half-day options that might attract your fancy and make your stay in the Castelli more memorable. Naturally she would prefer that you book well in advance.
Contact Jo at : pinojo@hotmail.com or through her blog
(1) Aperitivo-Style Light Meal and Lazio Wine-Tasting: Approx. 2 hours, late morning or evening, in a private home. Enjoy sampling a range of Lazio white wines (red wines too if preferred), including – naturally! - Frascati DOCG wines, accompanied by typical and local nibbles ... cured meats, roast pork, ewe’s cheese ricotta and more. Vegetarian version available too. Beware: you may not want to eat dinner afterwards!
(2) Contorno Culture Class: Approximately 3 hours. Italian meals are very vegetable centric and the vegetable side dish, known as ‘contorno’, commands so much respect that it is served on a plate of its own in restaurants and trattorie. Come and learn how to make at least three typical and delicious contorni based on which vegetables are in season. Not just for vegetarians!
(3) Pasta Party: Approximately 3 hours, in a private home, morning or evening. A cooking class focusing on the art of pasta-making and pasta sauces. Jo’s guests will get to grips with simple but oh-so-important techniques and will learn how to cook, and enjoy eating, at least three types of pasta dishes and enjoy beautiful Lazio wines to accompany them. Home-Made pasta also available as an option.
(4) Italian Home-Cooked Meal: Approx. 3 hours, lunch or dinner, four course meal. This is ideal for those who want to learn more about typical and seasonal Italian home cooking but prefer to relax while doing so, sipping a glass of wine, and just watching as Jo prepares the meal and explains the recipe and procedure in front of them. The table will be laid out for you before you arrive and all you have to do is watch and learn, and eat and enjoy, asking as many questions as you like.
(5) Visit to a Wine Estate in the Castelli Area
This can be made part of the gourmet day (see below) or can be done on its own.
Please enquire for pricing – it will depend on which wine estates are visited.
(6) Italian Food Lovers’ Gourmet Day - Approximately duration: 6-8 hours
Part 1 – This gourmet adventure begins with the shopping – but clients will get a chance to discuss their menu preferences with Jo even before setting out. The itinerary includes selected local shops and markets, including farmer’s markets in the area. The shopping experience includes explanations on various foods, as well as some tastings, and the clients are free to choose, for their meal, a wide selection of products and ingredients and plenty of wine.
Part 2- The cooking class takes place in a private home. Clients are invited to take part in the cooking class hands-on ... or just sit and watch, no pressure! The menu includes at least 10 dishes, recipes or techniques, sometimes more. The atmosphere is casual and fun.
Please enquire for pricing.
Please enquire for pricing
Frascati’s very own resident Italian food coach and blogger Mrs Josephine (Jo) Donghi (www.myhomefoodthatsamore.wordpress.com) has been conducting bespoke food experiences and events since 2004 both in Frascati and Rome. She likes to create options and adapt them to suit her clients, not the other way around, and her philosophy is that good food is philosophy in itself. Her mother is from Frascati, she is fully bilingual, fun, bubbly and generous, and this is time well spent! Jo likes to shop locally and preferably at markets and farmers markets and uses only the best-quality ingredients, including olive oil (evoo), pasta brands, organic flour, milk and eggs – even sea salt. Her menu is always seasonal. She asks that people inform her in advance of any health issue they might have when it comes to food, and whether they have definite dislikes for certain foods or are vegetarian or vegan. Below are just an idea of the type of half-day options that might attract your fancy and make your stay in the Castelli more memorable. Naturally she would prefer that you book well in advance.
Contact Jo at : pinojo@hotmail.com or through her blog
(1) Aperitivo-Style Light Meal and Lazio Wine-Tasting: Approx. 2 hours, late morning or evening, in a private home. Enjoy sampling a range of Lazio white wines (red wines too if preferred), including – naturally! - Frascati DOCG wines, accompanied by typical and local nibbles ... cured meats, roast pork, ewe’s cheese ricotta and more. Vegetarian version available too. Beware: you may not want to eat dinner afterwards!
(2) Contorno Culture Class: Approximately 3 hours. Italian meals are very vegetable centric and the vegetable side dish, known as ‘contorno’, commands so much respect that it is served on a plate of its own in restaurants and trattorie. Come and learn how to make at least three typical and delicious contorni based on which vegetables are in season. Not just for vegetarians!
(3) Pasta Party: Approximately 3 hours, in a private home, morning or evening. A cooking class focusing on the art of pasta-making and pasta sauces. Jo’s guests will get to grips with simple but oh-so-important techniques and will learn how to cook, and enjoy eating, at least three types of pasta dishes and enjoy beautiful Lazio wines to accompany them. Home-Made pasta also available as an option.
(4) Italian Home-Cooked Meal: Approx. 3 hours, lunch or dinner, four course meal. This is ideal for those who want to learn more about typical and seasonal Italian home cooking but prefer to relax while doing so, sipping a glass of wine, and just watching as Jo prepares the meal and explains the recipe and procedure in front of them. The table will be laid out for you before you arrive and all you have to do is watch and learn, and eat and enjoy, asking as many questions as you like.
(5) Visit to a Wine Estate in the Castelli Area
This can be made part of the gourmet day (see below) or can be done on its own.
Please enquire for pricing – it will depend on which wine estates are visited.
(6) Italian Food Lovers’ Gourmet Day - Approximately duration: 6-8 hours
Part 1 – This gourmet adventure begins with the shopping – but clients will get a chance to discuss their menu preferences with Jo even before setting out. The itinerary includes selected local shops and markets, including farmer’s markets in the area. The shopping experience includes explanations on various foods, as well as some tastings, and the clients are free to choose, for their meal, a wide selection of products and ingredients and plenty of wine.
Part 2- The cooking class takes place in a private home. Clients are invited to take part in the cooking class hands-on ... or just sit and watch, no pressure! The menu includes at least 10 dishes, recipes or techniques, sometimes more. The atmosphere is casual and fun.
Please enquire for pricing.
Please enquire for pricing
