A Gastronomic VIP Tour to Emilia-Romagna: Part 1 Visiting and Enjoying Parma
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008As we already announced, we begin this blog post series with articles that are intended to make you wish you were here in Parma, at least for a week.
We took the inspiration from the calendar of events, initiatives and locations included in the 6-day Academia Barilla VIP guided gastronomy tour to Emilia-Romagna promoted by Frank DiMaria, so we decided to show you a little bit around beforehand.
Today’s post is dedicated to the discovery of Parma, which is the centerpiece of the Emilia-Romagna experience in this VIP gastronomy tour.
We wrote many blog posts about Parma in the past, being the capital of the Italian Food Valley and also home town to Academia Barilla and the Academia Barilla Culinary Center.
Last year we created a full virtual visit experience with slideshows, photo galleries and Google Maps, so we have plenty of content to tell you about our favorite city in the world.
With Frank DiMaria you will discover several aspects of Parma. Upon arrival, you will immediately discover Parma’s hospitality, landing at one of the best Hotel locations in town, the 5-star Sofitel Grand Hotel de la Ville, where a “welcome aperitivo” will be waiting the VIP tour participants at the lounge bar of the hotel on the opening night.
Grand Hotel de la Ville is a prestigious building, a place in which the longstanding traditions of hospitality of our charming Italian town, mingles with the most evolved life-styles and the most advanced technology, planned and designed by leading Italian architects of international repute with the extraordinary participation of the great architect Renzo Piano.
More Parma gourmet locations are in the agenda of Frank DiMaria’s guided gastronomic tour, starting with a course at the Academia Barilla Culinary Center, but we will dedicate a whole post to that.
The VIP tour guests will enjoy a gourmet group dinner at an authentic local well-known Parma Pizzeria, check out Frank’s notes about it:
One of the most classical pizzerias of Parma often populated by the local VIPs. Good choice, with a wood-burning oven the pizzas are always good, and even the other plates on the menu are a surprise…
Another gourmet surprise for the VIP tour guests is also a dinner at “Il Cortile“, a delightful local restaurant in the heart of Parma, amidst the picturesque winding streets of the city’s “left bank“. As Frank DiMaria describes it:
The restaurant, a symbol of the Old Parma that has retained its original appearance with its ample, inviting veranda. Il Cortile has remained faithful to its trattoria origins, but owner Mauro and his wife Maria have added a special touch to it.
The food, the food… but also the culture, the history, the architecture. The Academia Barilla VIP gastronomy tour includes a full walking guided tour of the city of Parma, with Frank DiMaria as your Cicerone. Thanks to Frank you will discover how undeniably unique Parma is. Culture yes, but you will be totally absorbed by the food pleasures… on one of the guided visits to Parma our tour guests will have the pleasure to discover also the colors and vibes of a local Parma outdoor food market.
Parma is rich in art, culture and history - founded by the Romans in 183 b.c, made famous in Europe by the Farnese dynasty, the Bourbons, and the enlightened Duchy Marie Louise of Austria, Parma is now known worldwide for its unmatchable wine and food traditions.
Do you want to discover a little bit more? Explore the Google Map we created last year - click all the Google Map placemark to see pictures (and random videos) of the several Parma locations (better interaction with a larger map by clicking the link below the map).
Click on this link for a better map interaction
Note: the program may be subject to some modifications - check out the program we published here and just stay tuned with Frank DiMaria for latest news and updates on this Academia Barilla VIP gastronomy tour. For more info and booking call Frank at +1 847 965-0672 or +1 847 417-7587, or email him at frankdimaria@comcast.net.
Next blog post of this series: cooking classes at Academia Barilla!
VIP Gourmet Tour to Emilia-Romagna: a Letter from Frank DiMaria
Monday, August 25th, 2008As a final post after the series dedicated to the Academia Barilla VIP gourmet tour organized by Academia Barilla Culinary School Alumni Frank DiMaria, we want to publish an email we received from Frank when we got all the info for his VIP gourmet tour to Parma and Bologna, Italy.
We publish this email to share Frank’s passion for Italian cooking, Italian gastronomy, and Italian food culture in general. No more words, here we go:
Ciao a tutti,
Our 2007 trip to Parma Italy and Academia Barilla was a huge success, because of that we have decided to do it again this year. This may become an annual event!
For those of you who are not familiar with the tour, I have joined with Academia Barilla, the world’s premier culinary center dedicated to the art of Italian gastronomy, to personally escort you for 6 days and 5 nights in Parma, Italy’s Food Valley, for the ultimate culinary experience. Parma, a secret treasure tucked away in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, is one of Europe’s greatest food capitals.
I have joined with Academia Barilla to offer a full emersion culinary experience in the breathtaking region of Emilia-Romagna. Academia Barilla offers 2 hands-on cooking classes in their state-of-the-art kitchens, and an opportunity to learn from the top local chefs.
You will experience regional delicacies, authentic menus, exclusive tastings, one-of-a kind culinary tours to regional Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, olive oil and wine producers to learn the intricacies and traditions of true Italian foods.
You will also be able to explore authentic Italian markets and gourmet shops, observe the cultural street life, and enjoy the wonderful shops, cafés and restaurants that Parma boasts.
You won’t want to miss this culinary adventure!
A presto,
Frank DiMaria
If you need more detailed info or need to book your exclusive VIP gourmet tour to Parma, see all details at our previous blog post, and get in touch with Frank DiMaria by calling +1 847 965-0672 or +1 847 417 7587. You can also email Frank at frankdimaria@comcast.net to reserve your space!
See you in Parma!
A Gastronomic VIP Tour to Emilia-Romagna: the Program
Friday, August 22nd, 2008Here is the full program of the 6-day Academia Barilla VIP gastronomy tour of Parma, Bologna and Emilia-Romagna organized and guided by Academia Barilla Culinary Center Alumni Frank DiMaria.
Remember that tour dates are September 21-26, so you better call soon for your reservations. For more info and booking call Frank DiMaria at +1 847 965-0672 or +1 847 417-7587, or email him at frankdimaria@comcast.net.
Day one - Sunday, September 21
Arrival in Milano Malpensa. Pick up with private bus and transfer to Parma
Check in at Grand Hotel de la Ville (5-star) and relaxing time
06:00 PM - Evening welcoming “aperitivo” at the lounge bar of the hotel
07:15 PM - Group dinner in an authentic local well-known Parma Pizzeria
Day two - Monday, September 22
09:30 AM - After breakfast, welcoming to Academia Barilla
Tour of the culinary center
Morning cooking session
Lunch of what we cooked together
04:30 PM - Walking guided tour of the city centre of the town
07:30 PM - The tour will be concluded in a delightful local restaurant
Day three - Tuesday, September 23
08:30 AM - After breakfast, departure for a visit to a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese producer
To follow, visit to a Prosciutto di Parma producer
Along the way, pictures’ time at the romantic Castle of Torrechiara
12:30 PM - Visit to a wine cellar, tasting of typical products and lunch
02:30 PM - Transfer to the province of Modena for the visit to the Ferrari Museum
06:00 PM - Visit to an authentic Acetaia of Balsamic Vinegar
08:00 PM - Dinner at one of the best restaurant of the area, famous for the use of traditional balsamic vinegar
Day four - Wednesday, September 24
09:00 AM - After breakfast, walking trip to the local outdoor market
To follow: cooking session at the Academia Barilla Culinary Center with concentration on the products viewed on the gourmet tour
01.30 PM - Lunch at Academia Barilla
Afternoon and evening: free time to relax, individual visits and shopping.
Dinner on your own (not included)
Day five - Thursday, September 25
08:30 AM - After breakfast, departure for an amazing half day gourmet tour to the largest city of Emilia Romagna: Bologna (08:30 AM - 02:30 PM)
Guided tour round the medieval market in Downtown Bologna
Visit to traditional bakery and pasta makers
Visit to mortadella producers and traditional chocolate makers
Lunch in a typical Bolognese osteria
Afternoon: visit to the Ferrari Museum
Evening: farewell group dinner and event at the Academia Barilla Culinary Center
Day six - Friday, September 26
Pick up from the Hotel and transfer to the Airport.
Note: the program may be subject to some modifications - just stay tuned with Frank DiMaria at the contacts above for latest news and updates on this Academia Barilla VIP gastronomy tour.
A Gastronomic VIP Tour to Emilia-Romagna with Frank DiMaria
Thursday, August 21st, 2008Experience the ultimate Italian travel experience in the heart of Parma and Emilia-Romagna, Italy’s Food Valley, with Academia Barilla and the VIP gourmet tour organized by Academia Barilla Culinary School Alumni Frank DiMaria we announced with a previous post.
The VIP gastronomy tour dates are September 21-26, 2008, and the gourmet guided tour to Emilia-Romagna includes:
Culinary Hands-on Experience
Exclusive tasting sessions
Regional delicacies
Authentic menus
Specialty recipes
English-Italian translation
5-Star hotel accommodations
All meals included
Castle and winery visits
World class facilities
Individualized instruction
Courses from Italy’s top local Chefs
One-of-a-kind gourmet and culinary tours
Daily transportation and transfers
Tuition and course materials
Culinary travel highlights include:
The cultural street life, authentic markets, food stores, retail shops, restaurants and cafés of Parma and surrounding areas of Emilia-Romagna
Two hands-on culinary courses at the Academia Barilla Culinary Center
The spectacular historic Torrechiara Castle and medieval town nestled in the countryside of Emilia-RomagnaGourmet tours to award-winning Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma producers, where we will witness the production, authenticity and quality of traditional Italian products
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tastings with professional, expert techniques on how to taste these regional delicacies
An excursion to a winery in the Emilia-Romagna region for a tasting and lesson on discovering the intricacies and flavors of different wines
An excursion to the Ferrari Museum in Imola to experience first hand the history of an Italian icon
Gelato and sorbetto tasting in local area cafés
The exclusive group price for this luxury VIP guided tour is $2,900 per person, airfare excluded. For more detailed information about the VIP tour features, cost and booking please call Frank DiMaria at +1 847 965-0672 or +1 847 417-7587, or email Frank at frankdimaria@comcast.net.
We will be blogging more over the next few weeks about this VIP gastronomy tour to Emilia-Romagna, getting into details of each activity and destination to feed you with more Italian food culture and some desire to come cook with us in Parma!
Recipe of the Month: How to Prepare a Melon Sorbet
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008After discovering how to choose a ripe melon at the market, today Chef Matteo Carboni of the Academia Barilla Culinary School will teach us an easy and fresh dessert recipe for a hot summer: Melon Sorbet.
Chef Matteo introduces the ingredients at the beginning of today’s video: 1 melon (1.5 oz), 1/2 oz white sugar, 3 oz glucose, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and Academia Barilla Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena 12 years old. Let’s watch the entire preparation on video!
After introducing the ingredients, Chef Carboni proceeds with the sorbet preparation: first he cuts the edges of the melon off, then he cuts the melon in half, cleaning the inside with a spoon, and finally he chops the melon in slices. When you peel the melon, reminds Matteo, be careful not to cut your finger!
Chef Carboni roughly chops the melon in pieces, then puts them inside a food processor (mixer) and moves on to the preparation of the sugar syrup, for which you will need the 1/2 oz white sugar, 3 oz of water and 3 oz of glucose.
To prepare the syrup, put the sugar and the water in a pot and bring it to 250 degrees F, then add the glucose, mix and let it rest.
In the meanwhile, start blending the melon in the food processor, then add the syrup and the lemon juice, and mix for a few seconds more.
Chef Matteo Carboni uses a professional ice-cream machine in this video, but gives all the tips on how to prepare ice-cream at home.
If you don’t have a professional ice-cream machine you can put the mixture in a bowl and place it in the freezer for 10 minutes, take it out, whip it, put it back in the freezer for 10 minutes, take it out and whip it again, then back in the freezer and so on.
You will have to keep repeating this step until the mixture is ice-cream dense, and this will vary according to the power of your home freezer.
To finalize the recipe, Chef Carboni uses an ice-cream scoop to serve 2 ice balls in a glass, and adds a finishing touch using a dash of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and a fresh mint leaf - ready to serve!
Thank you very much Matteo, see you soon on Italian Food Lovers!
