Learn to Cook Like a Local on the Amalfi Coast

Any visit to Italy would be remiss without factoring in the wonderful gastronomic delights the country has to offer. The best way to appreciate Italy’s wonderful cuisine is to learn about the process yourself. Cooking in Italy is serious business: locals cook with passion and intensity and always with the primary ingredient, love. You too can learn the Italian way of cooking while visiting the coastal town of Amalfi. Villas, perched high on the hillsides, sometimes act as culinary schools, run by either professional chefs or families with generations of cooking expertise between them. Many of these schools offer one-day classes, teaching everything from the basics to the creation of specialty dishes.

Locations

As with most Italian endeavours the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings is almost as important as the activity itself. Amalfi villas usually have spectacular views of the coastline and some come with gardens and swimming pools. Culinary schools, also take this element very seriously. Most schools will be found with beautifully landscaped terrace gardens and verandas for their students to enjoy the fruits of their labour upon. Inside, classes are held in large traditionally styled kitchens with granite countertops, professional ranges and all the important equipment available. Students may have the opportunity to visit the school’s onsite gardens to pick fresh herbs and vegetables to use while being taught recipes that have been handed down through many generations.

Class Structures

Day classes usually last around two hours leading up to reward of enjoying a meal on the school’s veranda while taking in the breath-taking views. The itinerary will be structured around building a complete meal including a starter, a fresh pasta dish and a second course. The class will usually teach traditional techniques for creating authentic Neapolitan specialties that can be recreated at home. If you are renting one of the nearby Amalfi villas you will have the pleasure of practicing these skills right away.

Specialty Classes

In addition to standard cooking classes, many culinary schools offer additional specialized classes. Guided tours of the area, wine tasting and visits to local farms complement your Italian cooking and learning experience. Self-catered Amalfi villas come with fully equipped kitchens so you can recreate your authentic Italian dishes with the freshest local ingredients and knowledgeable wine pairings.

Your holiday can be both relaxing as well as educational while visiting Amalfi. Villas offer the ideal accommodation option and the freedom to design your own itinerary and activities. The region will be your classroom as you experience Italy in a very unique and interactive way. Your visit to this spectacular region will afford you many new skills to utilize when you return home, but will also leave you with the desire to come back and learn more.

Looking for your perfect home away from home in Italy? Mark Slaviero is a Director of Holiday Homes in Italy, a company specialising in finding the holiday home, villa or apartment of your dreams. For the ideal Amalfi villas and accommodation in Tuscany, Sicily, the Italian Lakes, ski resorts and more, we offer the best in every region.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.