Monday, 7 February 2022

Italian Gift Ideas for your Special Valentine! Bring them to Italy!

Chef Guido's Italian Gift Ideas - Direct from Italy

Gift your Valentine a Date to Remember
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 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ If you’re looking for something different this Valentine’s Day, we’ve got some ideas. Give an in person or online experience you’ve always wanted to try. We’re pretty sure your partner’s going to love it.


Ciao a tutti! We love Italy and all things Italian and if you have a partner or special friend who does too, Chef Guido has put a few ideas for you, together. Italian virtual cooking class experiences and Gift Certificates for in-person experiences, are a wonderful way to show your Italy loving partner and special friend that you understand their passion and want to celebrate with them.

We created this guide of Italian gifts to help you find that perfect present for your Valentine. You’ll find everything from online Italian cooking video packages, to virtual cooking parties and monthly memberships to unique in-person experiences.

Here are the most popular 5 items to put on your wish list, including online fun for a taste of Italy, PLUS in-person experiences when you and your Valentine visit Italy:

  • Virtual Italian Cooking Parties - A fun way to learn Italian cuisine LIVE in an interactive cooking class with Chef Guido direct from Italy. Private and group cooking class parties available.
  • Authentic Italian Cooking Package - Chef Guido selected 5 classic Italian dishes that are easy and fun to prepare, with step-by-step cooking videos, recipes, shopping lists and more
  • Guido’s Cook Club - a fun and relaxed monthly membership and community for those passionate about Italian food and culture.
  • Rome Day Trips- Select from one of our fun, informative and relaxed in-person Day Trips direct from Rome. Choose from Italian cooking classes, olive tours, touring medieval villages or a combination. Min. of 2 people. 
  • 4 Day or 5 Day Italian Culinary Vacations-  Our cooking holidays are more than just cooking, with an all inclusive experience that gives you an opportunity to live like a local in our medieval hilltop village, close to Rome, Italy. Gift a Special friend and join in too! Min. of 2 people.

How does it work? It’s easy. Contact us via email with your friend's name and the gift you’ve selected. We will send you payment details via email. Once confirmed, we will send you a personal gift voucher and link to your selected package.

Chef Guido, Sally from Convivio Rome have been offering Rome Day Trips, Rome Olive Tours, Rome Wine Tours, Italian Cooking Classes and Italian Culinary Vacations in the Sabine Hills since 2006 and also Virtual online Italian Cooking Classes since March 2020. Find out more on the links below:
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Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Wednesday, 5 January 2022

La Befana (the Good Witch) is coming!

 

La Befana, thanks to 'Eventi e Sagre' for this image

Here in Italy, Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) is a recently imported tradition. It is La Befana, instead, who comes down through the chimney, bringing a stocking with sweets and small presents. She is a sort of good witch and a bit of an eccentric elderly lady, flying on her old broomstick through the sky at night. She comes on the 6th of January bearing gifts of sweets for those that are good and bits of charcoal for those naughty children. Adults have great fun with this tradition by setting the scene and building up the anticipation for their children and grandchildren the night before.

The origins of La Befana can be linked to the Goddess Diana in ancient Roman times, and could even date back as far as 4,000 years ago.

In Rome, there is a traditional Christmas market in Piazza Navona, that I remember going to as a child. Still today has plenty of Befane strolling around the piazza, while children eat zucchero filato (fairy floss) or mostaccioli, traditional Roman biscuits simply made out of flour, honey and walnuts.

Chef Guido, Sally from Convivio Rome have been offering Rome Day Trips, Rome Olive Tours, Rome Wine Tours, Italian Cooking Classes and Italian Culinary Vacations in the Sabine Hills since 2006 and also Virtual online Italian Cooking Classes since March 2020. Find out more on the links below:
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Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Thursday, 14 October 2021

20 Minute Italian Dishes - Home Cooking for Busy People

Too busy to cook? No problem!  -  Have fun learning 20 minute traditional Italian meals at home!

Join Chef Guido's 20 minute Italian cooking course and learn 12 fast and delicious Italian meals in just 6 weeks, online!

FROM SUNDAY OCTOBER 24 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2021

ENROL NOW and you will master simple and authentic Italian dishes so you can cook wonderful, fresh food every day. It's so easy and convenient. Let Chef Guido Inspire you!

It's a unique opportunity to learn 12 classic Italian dishes from Chef Guido, who was born in Rome and still lives in Italy. He will share his family cooking secrets and stories with you. Have fun mastering these 12 timeless Italian recipes. You will enjoy 6 LIVE, fully interactive Zoom cooking classes PLUS an additional 6 pre-recorded step-by-step cooking class videos: that all take only 20 minutes to prepare!

WE WELCOME YOU INTO OUR FAMILY HOME IN ITALY FOR A FULL ITALIAN EXPERIENCE! LET'S HAVE 6 WEEKS OF COOKING PARTIES TOGETHER. LEARNING EASY ITALIAN RECIPES THAT ONY TAKE 20 MINUTES TO PREPARE!

Sign Up Now and start learning easy to make traditional Italian recipes for busy people.

These fully interactive cooking classes will be held LIVE on Zoom and also recorded for your convenience.

Learn More and Enrol BEFORE October, 22 for a Special BONUS OFFER with Chef Guido. Find out More

Chef Guido, Sally from Convivio Rome have been offering Rome Day Trips, Rome Olive Tours, Rome Wine Tours, Italian Cooking Classes and Italian Culinary Vacations in the Sabine Hills since 2006 and also Virtual online Italian Cooking Classes since March 2020. Find out more on the links below:
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Thursday, 26 August 2021

Why should olive oil be extra virgin and single estate?


A lot of my clients and friends from different parts of the world often ask me why they should buy the more expensive extra virgin olive oil, as opposed to simply olive oil. Extra virgin olive oils are the pure juice of cold pressed olives. 'Olive oil', apart from a small percentage of extra virgin, is oil extracted with the help of harmful chemicals, which of course end up in the bottle. To make things more confusing, I have seen cheap olive oil marketed as 'light' , which doesn't change the result: harmful chemicals.

extra virgin olive oil, single estate, just being pressed

The best extra virgin olive oils are 'single estate' ones, from small producers such us the ones here in Sabina, who harvest the olives at the right time, when they are turning from green to black. This ensures low acidity and plenty of antioxidants. The quantity produced might be less from each tree, but the quality is at its highest. This explains why good extra virgin olive oil is not cheap.
Moreover, would you buy olive oil from a huge company that also make washing powder and underarm deodorant? I wouldn't, even if their marketing image screams 'Italian-authentic-traditional'.

Chef Guido, Sally from Convivio Rome have been offering Rome Day Trips, Rome Olive Tours, Rome Wine Tours, Italian Cooking Classes and Italian Culinary Vacations in the Sabine Hills since 2006 and also Virtual online Italian Cooking Classes since March 2020. Find out more on the links below:

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Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Tuesday, 3 August 2021

The Sabine Hills: an insider's guide


Are you dreaming of your your next holiday to Italy? 

Would like to visit a magical destination that is off the beaten path and unknown to mass tourism?  
Please read on to be inspired!

Have you ever heard of the Sabine Hills area, in Italy? Find out more about Italy's Best kept Secret: the Sabine Hills in the article written by Chef Guido Santi for L'Italio Americano Magazine.

It is too good a secret, not to share again!

"For those looking for authentic, idillic rural Italy a stone’s throw from Rome, this is the perfect destination" writes Chef Guido, from Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays. 


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Location: 02039 Toffia, Province of Rieti, Italy

Monday, 5 July 2021

In Praise of Sagrantino



Sagrantino grapes just ready to be picked

The best kept wine secret of Italy is, without any doubt, Sagrantino di Montefalco. This wine is made of 100% Sagrantino grape from the hills and valleys around the tiny village of Montefalco, in southern Umbria. What makes this Italian native grape so special is that people simply forgot about it for many, many decades. In fact, the Sagrantino grape' history is well documented since medieval times. This allowed a group of passionate, small local wine makers to search for abandoned and overgrown vineyards, in search of the perfect Sagrantino. Seeds were collected, new vineyards were planted so today we can drink this precious wine again. Still today, there are only 30 Sagrantino producers.

Sagrantino di Montefalco is in the same league as Brunello di Montalcino or Barolo, with a similar price tag but with even more character. Sagrantino has a very, very strong personality, is extremely aromatic, very tannic, spicy, with a definite taste of wild berries and, yes, chocolate. The notes of chocolate and spices come from ageing for at least 12 months in old oak barrels (according to Italian law). Of course, none of those 'barriques' that the French like so much.

If you want full alcohol content (14,5%) get a 2003 vintage bottle (remember how hot the summer of 2003 was?). Otherwise, we are usually around 13.5%, with vintage 2004 gaining popularity. Have Sagrantino with strong cheese and black olives, not necessarily with a full meal. I always offer Sagrantino di Montefalco during our wine tasting evenings, part of our 5 Day Italian cooking holiday programme. It's great to share such a special and different wine with my clients (and watch their reaction to it!)

Sagrantino di Montefalco is awarded DOCG ('Di Origine Controllata e Garantita', 'Of protected and Guaranteed Origin') denomination from the European Union, a seal of absolute quality. It exist in a sweet, dessert version called 'Sagrantino Passito', delicious and very, very expensive.

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Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Crostata al cioccolato e arancio - Chocolate and orange tart


Chocolate, orange, summer time and socialising all mixed together! 

Summer time is almost here in Italy and a time for socialising. Italian social life is often 'last minute and spontaneous' and this is part of the culture and lifestyle that we (Sally and I) really enjoy. 

My friends know I have a passion for cooking, and I am often asked: "Can you bring dessert, Guido?" 

I recently celebrated a friend's birthday and we all brought something to eat for dinner.  I was asked to bring dessert, so I put together a very simple but delicious chocolate tart, made of orange flavoured short crust filled with chocolate ganache, which is dark chocolate melted in cream. I've used classic ganache proportions, which produce a brilliant, soft but firm, almost spreadable layer of delicious chocolate. I actually made two identical tarts by doubling the ingredients: they were both finished in no time!
I wanted to share this popular recipe for my Crostata al Cioccolato e Arancia, with you!


Crostata di Cioccolato e Arancio - Chocolate and Orange Tart
Ingredients: For the pastry: 150g of butter, 300g of flour, 150g of sugar, 3 egg yolks, orange zest, salt. For the filling: 200g of dark chocolate, 150g of fresh cream.


Method: For the short pastry, mix flour with softened butter, add sugar, 3 egg yolks, orange zest,  and a pinch of salt. Make the dough in to a ball, wrap it in film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll the pastry and line a cake tin with it. Prepare the ganache sauce by melting chocolate and cream. Pour the ganache sauce in the tart. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 170 C (no need to 'blind bake'). Decorate with orange zest in the middle.

Chef Guido and Sally
Founders of Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays, Virtual  and In- person Italian Cooking Classes and Guido’s Cook Club Monthly Membership



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Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
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