Course Structure
Our cookery courses last either one week or three days. Since we take a maximum of six people, we will tailor-make your holiday as far as we can. Cooking lessons are combined with tours to food markets, wineries, Palladian villas and medieval towns. Guests are fully cared for from the moment we collect them from the airport, though they have time to themselves should they wish. Our aim is to be totally flexible - we discuss guests interests with them before they arrive.

The cooking lessons are fully hands-on, instructive and fun, concentrating on the cuisine of the Veneto; its antipasti, starters, sorbets, main courses and desserts. Learn how to make homemade pasta and gnocchi (small, dumpling-like starters). Ingredients used are seasonal; you might prepare an asparagus lasagne, a pumpkin risotto, crespelle (a kind of omelette/pancake) stuffed with radicchio di Treviso. Make a 'sgrup pino', based on lemon ice-cream and vodka - it cleans the palate magnificently. Main courses might use guinea fowl, quail, pigeon, or simply pork and beef. Desserts include homemade ice-creams. Learn to be boldly creative and cook with confidence...you may already be a great cook or you may be a beginner; we’re happy to cater for all.

Antonella, your teacher, takes traditional Italian recipes but is not afraid to add her own creativity to produce wonderful results. There should be no mystery about cooking; learn how to produce dishes that burst with flavour. Each lesson lasts around three hours, the fruits of which are eaten afterwards in wonderful surroundings. In the evening we eat by candlelight; in the winter there’s a roaring log fire.

Pricing
3 day course per student - including transfers from / to airport, accommodation, meals, wine, cultural tours and cooking lessons.	€720
As above, but for a friend/partner that doesn’t wish to cook	€550
1 week course per student - including transfers from / to airport, accommodation, meals, wine, cultural tours and cooking lessons.	€1,350
As above, but for a friend/partner that doesn’t wish to cook	€1,000

Accommodation
La Casa Gialla is a beautifully converted farmhouse, replete with exposed wooden beams, old stonework, and charming antique furniture. Accommodation consists of two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. We also have a self-contained apartment with a double bedroom. A further single bedroom in the main house can be used if two guests don't mind sharing a bathroom - a small unit ideal for a family with one or two children. All rooms are full of character and are beautifully decorated throughout. The kitchen where courses take place maintains an old rustic style yet is furnished with modern equipment. Views of our courtyard and the medieval castle on the hillside behind are quite stunning. Meals are eaten either in our beautiful dining-room, with its fire-place, or outside in the portico. We have a charming breakfast room on the first floor, where there’s also a spectacular 6m high sitting-room, complete with a full-sized Steinway grand piano.

We have our own leisure centre, including a small indoor swimming pool and a table-tennis table. This centre can be used seasonally. There is also an 18th century bread oven that is used to make bread and pizzas. It’s a very special place to stay.

Tutor
Courses are conducted by Antonella Tagliapietra, who has a real passion for cooking. She learned traditional Italian cooking from her mother, but has then also studied other cuisines abroad. Antonella studies recipes, tries them out, works on them and possibly adapts. She looks at old traditions dating back to the Romans and isn’t afraid to use tricks learnt from other cultures. In the kitchen it is passion for food that counts; Antonella’s passion is infectious.

Having lived in London Antonella speaks English fluently. Her British husband Philip is a wine enthusiast and will also be your local guide.

Location
Our property sits in the middle of a charming village, Cison di Valmarino, in the foot-hills of the Dolomites. We lie in the rolling hills of the Prosecco wine area. Our situation spares us the summer heat and winter fogs of the Venetian plane.

To the north we have the spectacular Dolomites, to the east the Adriatic coast, and to the west Lake Garda. Venice, just over one hour away, is merely the jewel in the crown. The beautiful towns of Treviso, Padova, Belluno, Bassano, Vicenza, Asolo and Feltre, along with most of Palladio’s greatest works, all lie within a one hour radius. We are very proud to show you this extraordinary combination of manmade and natural beauty.

How to Get to Us:
Venice Marco Polo and Treviso airports are 50 minutes away by car. Conegliano rail station is 20 minutes away. We’ll happily collect you from any of these terminals.