Semolina Hand Prints and Perfect Orrecchiette
By on February 13, 2009 7:05 AM
Every time we go to Malta we have the best intentions to scoot over to Sicily or the Southern part of Italy for a couple of days. The only problem is that once we get to Malta we generally just collapse in a heap and lie on the beach for the better part of a month. Yet, I suspect this may not be the case next time we go, as I just happened to stumble across Silvestro Silvestori's wonderful cooking school in southern Italy.
The Awaiting Table is an intimate cooking school situated in the beautiful baroque, historic town of Lecce. It is owned and run by Silvestro Silvestori who likes to do things differently. Here you will not only learn about the regional cooking of Puglia, but you will be thrown in the deep end. Classes are hands-on and are designed to improve your skills and give you a deeper understanding of the food and culture of the region. And so, you will most likely end up with 'garlic under your fingernails, semolina flour hand-prints on your apron' and 'your face will probably hurt from laughing so much'.
By the end of the week you will be on first name basis with the local
fishmongers, winemakers, greengrocers, bakers and butchers. Hence, upon
returning from the morning markets with straw baskets heaving with
fresh produce it's all hands on deck. You will 'learn to make perfect
pasta and how to sauce it properly, learn how to make fresh sausages,
bake beautiful biscotti, grill perfect seafood' in a communal
atmosphere using the best possible local ingredients.
Silvestro guarantees that by day three 'you'll be stepping up to use your new Italian to chit-chat' and that by day four 'your orrecchiette will suddenly stop looking like mangled row boats'. But more importantly and best of all he promises that by day five 'you'll no longer feel compelled to follow recipes, and you'll be on your way to cooking in a new way'. Hence, Silvestro states that 'no two weeks are ever the same' but maintains that your week at The Awaiting Table cooking school will reflect 'the season you choose to visit'.
What season will you choose to visit The Awaiting Table?
The Awaiting Table is an intimate cooking school situated in the beautiful baroque, historic town of Lecce. It is owned and run by Silvestro Silvestori who likes to do things differently. Here you will not only learn about the regional cooking of Puglia, but you will be thrown in the deep end. Classes are hands-on and are designed to improve your skills and give you a deeper understanding of the food and culture of the region. And so, you will most likely end up with 'garlic under your fingernails, semolina flour hand-prints on your apron' and 'your face will probably hurt from laughing so much'.
Silvestro guarantees that by day three 'you'll be stepping up to use your new Italian to chit-chat' and that by day four 'your orrecchiette will suddenly stop looking like mangled row boats'. But more importantly and best of all he promises that by day five 'you'll no longer feel compelled to follow recipes, and you'll be on your way to cooking in a new way'. Hence, Silvestro states that 'no two weeks are ever the same' but maintains that your week at The Awaiting Table cooking school will reflect 'the season you choose to visit'.
What season will you choose to visit The Awaiting Table?
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Heaven! And it doesn't hurt at all that Silvestro appears to be super-dishy himself.
I need semolina handprints on my apron.
LOL- I'm sure Silvestro is going to love that comment!
It is my dream to attend a cooking school such as this. I am looking more closely at this experience and hopefully can plan this trip for myself soon!
That cooking school looks awesome. But your initial comments and some of your other posts make me want to go to Malta. I've spent some time in Sicily (actually, the Aeolian Islands on the N.cost of Sicily - my husband's family is in Italy) and loved it - but I'm wishing now that we'd scooted a bit farther south to Malta! :)
Megan- I am utterly biased when it comes to Malta! But if you do go make sure you visit her sister island Gozo as it is quieter, greener and more pretty!