Cooking in Orvieto with Velia DeAngelis

During my most recent trip to Italy with my daughter, we traveled to Orvieto, my favorite medieval town, and took a cooking class with Velia DeAngelis at Compagnia dei  Buongustai, which is a cooking school located in Orvieto.   Her cooking partner, Maurizio di Mario, owns a pastry shop in Orvieto(more about that later) and we cooked sooo much gooood food that we did not need to have dinner that evening.  We started with making stuffed rolls made with sausage and cheese, then on to liver pate, home made pasta, rolled and stuffed eggplant, stuffed boneless chicken thighs and a fruit tart and cookies that were just heaven. Velia taught us how to make fresh pasta the old fashioned way using a rolling pin!  She made it look so easy.  It was so light and tender. 

The rolled eggplant stuffed with arugela, cherry tomatoes and ricotta salata was so tasty and tender.  A vegetarian would be thrilled with this dish!

Last year,when I took my group to her Champagneria we each left with a taste of her fruit tart.  Well this class she taught us how to make it and I will definitely give it a go!  It was so buttery, tender and flaky.     The secret  is using the highest quality of butter!  Thanks to my daughter and her hi tech camera here are a few pictures of the delicious tart.

Taking a cooking class with Velia is a real treat.  She is so funny and a very creative chef that you will come away with a full stomach and desire to recreate these recipes when you return.  Remember the secret is in the ingredients.

If you would like to take  a cooking class with Velia just contact Gourmet Getaways and we would be more than happy to make the arrangements!  You will be sure to have a wonderful time.

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A Fabulous Jewelry Store in Orvieto!

While staying in Orvieto this October I asked my friend Velia DeAngelis (more about Velia later)  if she knew of a great jewelry store in Orvieto.  Si Si ( si means’yes’ in Italian)she replied that her friend Monica Coscioni has a beautiful shop in Orvieto.  And ‘si’, ‘ si’ ,  my daughter and I went the next morning.  You can only imagine what we accomplished there!

We easily navigated through the streets and arrived on time at 10am in the morning.  We rang the bell and Monica greeted us at the door and welcomed us into her studio/store.  Much of her creations, and I mean creations, were on display.  It is best to have her explain her creations and show you how they can be worn.  She is quite clever and her jewelry is beyond beautiful.  You can even watch her as she creates her jewelry as her studio is part of her store.

Everyone in Orvieto knows Monica!  Lovely and creative woman.  I now have a favorite jewelry store in Italy.

Spazio Manassei Gioielli is located on Via Adolfo Cozza 11/13 in Orvieto Italy.  Visit her website and view all her creations. Let me know what you think!

  She is hoping to open a store in Rome near the Spanish Steps before the holidays.  On my next tour to Italy, this spring, which by the way is sold out, I am going to bring the ladies there so they can see her beautiful creation.  They, I know, will want to purchase  a creation or two!  I know I will add to my collection.  I have already recieved many compliments!

If you go to visit Monica in Orvieto please tell her that I sent you!  You will not be disappointed !

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My Brief Stay at the Palazzo Manfredi in Rome.

I had the pleasure this October to stay briefly at the new  Palazzo Manfredi, a five star hotel Rome, next to the Coliseum. It was once a 16^th century palazzo and now it is an exquisite hotel with 16 beautiful guestrooms.

The rooftop restaurant offers the most spectacular views of the Coliseum and ancient Rome.  The roof-top restaurant, Aroma, has been awarded the 5 star Diamond Award.

 I had the pleasure of having lunch there upon my arrival and the food and service were of the highest quality.  It is to say one of my most memorable meals. I was encouraged to have the dishes prepared with the white truffles however when I read the menu I noticed the pumpkin ravioli.  I could not resist and it was outstanding. 

 I thought I was having my dessert first!  It was paired with a white wine from Frascati.  My daughter’s vegetable soup was excellent and was presented to her with a creatively adorned zucchini flower.    It was also paired with a white chardonnay. The dessert, chocolate of course, was a work of art and the dessert wine complimented the three different chocolate offerings.  We were in Heaven!  Every dish, created by Star Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, is a masterpiece and will definietly stimulate your palate!

A view from the restatuarnt !  Great food, great view, what more can you ask for in Rome!

If you feel the need to rent the white Lamborghini Gallardo you may do so during your stay and discover Rome in style, for about $250.00 per hour.  The driver must be at least 30 years old and present a valid driver’s license.

They will also provide a personal shopper to help you with your purchases in the best of Rome’s shops!

Each room is beautifully appointed and equipped with a wireless connection, shoe shine services, safe, a Pillow menu, TV, 100% non smoking, luxurious bathrooms with Bulgari products and more!

For those families wishing a luxury apartment, Palazzo Manfredi, offers apartments with the same luxury as the hotel, which are 5 minutes away from the hotel.

Next time I go to Rome I will stay here and it will not be for a brief stay.

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