Cooking Classes & Events
February Cooking Classes and Valentine's Dinner
Please welcome exuberant and talented Chef Stefano Ballarino who will travel here from Florence, Italy. Chef Stefano is the Executive Chef of the iconic Villa la Massa, my very favorite place to stay in Florence. He focuses on what is fresh and delicious. He doesn’t get caught up in fads or trends, but instead prioritizes purity. This is not to say that he cannot get fancy when he wants to, but he never lets the food suffer for the sake of art and show. The Villa la Massa holds one Green Michelin Star and two Michelin Keys for the hotel. (We will be staying there on the upcoming Italy trip this September, where we will enjoy the beauty of the hotel set by the winding Arno River and eat Chef’s food once again. Please join us!) Learn more about this upcoming trip here.
Cooking Class #1
Tuesday, February 10th, 11:30AM
$180.00
SOLD OUT
During this class, Chef Stefano will teach you the art of potato gnocchi, gently tossed in a fresh basil pesto. You will also make fresh tagliatelle and you will finish it in a huge wheel of pecorino Romano cheese. You will sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with a little wine or the drink of your choice with Chef. We will also make a salad and I’ll have a delicious dessert to round it off.
Cooking Class #2
Thursday, February 12th, 11:30AM
$180.00
SOLD OUT
For this class, you will learn how to make Gnudi, a sort of Italian dumpling made from ricotta, Parmesan, flour, and often with some diced greens. You will make a simple tomato sauce to toss it in. As in the previous class, you will make tagliatelle and prepare it in the wheel of pecorino cheese. A salad and a dessert will add to your scrumptious lunch that you will enjoy after your hard (and fun) work, as you dine with Chef Stefano for lunch.
Valentine Dinner
Saturday, February 14th, 6:30PM
$310
4 spaces left
Bring your love, your best friend, or your nonna to this beautiful, candlelit dinner. For this night, Chef Stefano will prepare a wondrous menu, with me assisting, accompanied by another knowledgeable Italian, Roberto Splendore, who will be serving only the finest wines from various regions in Italy.
Chef Stefano designed this meal with a strong appeal to American audiences, while keeping a clear connection to his style of cooking and his Tuscan roots.
Gathering with Friends
Antipasto with Italian cocktails
Lobster Salad
Gently cooked lobster served with a light Tuscan bread salad, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil from the Tuscan countryside, and fresh basil.
Orecchiette
Handmade orecchiette with sautéed cabbage, crispy bread crumbs, and extra virgin olive oil.
Simple, rustic and deeply Italian.
Braised Beef
Slow cooked beef cheeks, tender and delicate, braised in white wine, finished with capers and fresh lemon zest, served on a smooth potato puree.
Desserts to be Decided
To reserve your spot or request more information,
please contact Laura Wilson at:
260-341-4300
or
Private Cooking Classes
To book a private class, you need to have at least 6 people and can go up to 12. If you have more people, we can pivot on this. Evening classes are $200 per person and include the course, the recipes, nibbles as you cook, wine, beer or any soft drinks, and dinner afterward in a beautiful, candlelit atmosphere.
Generally a class takes about 3-4 hours. Two to cook and two to enjoy your meal with your friends or family.
