This dish is the perfect example of a Linguine alle Vongole, with thanks to our very own Jake Simpson, who after ten years of cooking up a storm at Soho’s favourite Italian Bocca di Lupo, is now heading up the restaurant at The Rectory in Wiltshire. The post Linguine alle Vongole appeared first on Stirred ..read more

This is a mixture between a soup and a bowl of pasta. The recipe might seem laborious and you might be tempted to speed the process up, but the trick to this soup is the length of time it takes to gently infuse all the flavours. I also make the base of this soup a couple of hours or a day in advance so the taste improves. Cook the pasta just before serving. Serve in unheated bowls so the temperature is more on the luke warm side for best results. The post Pasta E Fagioli appeared first on Stirred ..read more

We had a fabulous time with you at Casagrande – many, many thanks. The overall team effort produced warm hospitality in abundance with meticulous attention to detail which ensured everything ran smoothly from the moment we were met at the airport. The food and wines came in abundance, you are generous of yourselves as well as providing an all-inclusive holiday, something which may not be readily appreciated. Sarah, we do so admire your meticulous organisation and attention to detail, and we couldn’t fail to notice the way in which Patrick was aware of everything going on and was a generous and ..read more

What a wonderful week …! I am not a ‘down time’ sort of girl but after putting up a little resistance on day one, became completely absorbed in the food, the place and the people. I cannot thank you both enough for one of the very best and definitely the most unexpected ‘great times’ of my life. Maybe the combination of place and subject resulted in the ‘becoming part’ of the experience, or maybe the people and the subject resulted in the experience becoming part of me. Whatever – I know that I have returned reinvigorated, engaged and richer by far than when I left. The post Belinda Williams ..read more

I would like to thank you both for giving me everything I was hoping for plus some more. Tom…well…an email would not be sufficient to say how much I enjoyed learning from him. What really impressed me was his teaching abilities on top of his very obvious talent with cooking and so unassuming and happy to pass on as much as we wanted. I felt I was being spoilt from the time I arrived. There was never a thought of anything being “skimped” on. Small little gifts like coffee when we arrived in Venice. All the outings. Also the abundance of food and wine. The balance of being involved or not ..read more

What a wonderful cooking holiday we had. Kelda did a magnificent job and we are already referring others to you. Once again our thanks for one of our best holidays ever – we have so many great memories and skills and that Ursula, so frizzante, skillful and passionate, was an utter joy! The post Elna & William Adams, Australia appeared first on Stirred ..read more

… a huge thank you for such a wonderful holiday, you and Amanda and the staff in the house looked after us so well and Jake’s inspirations were brilliant. The food and the wines were outstanding, and we couldn’t have asked for anything better! It was also good to meet so many people who like the same things we do; to swap ideas and hear about different cultures. It was such a great thing to do and I would recommend it to anyone who would like a “foodie holiday.” Thanks again Sarah, it was such a wonderful holiday! The post Hilary & Doug Carruthers, UK appeared first on Stirred ..read more

Palazzo Casagrande (absolutely beautiful) and cookery school were amazing, beyond anything I imagined. Sophie, Kelda, Maria, Rukman & family were all fantastic. I learned so much and was so inspired. I’m already thinking about our next visit! Thanks again for everything. The post Annette & Bob DeLuca, USA appeared first on Stirred ..read more

Our experience was beyond expectations. Hosted by Kelda, cooking instructions by Sophie assisted by Maria was exceptional, fun and helpful. Trip to Venice with thoughts on market purchasing was especially nice touch. Quite spectacular. Thanks again. The post Bill Julavitz, South Carolina, USA appeared first on Stirred ..read more

… and to say how wonderful the course was – I’m still buzzing. The whole set up was brilliant, the location was perfect. Sophie was amazing, I loved her style and loved her humour. It was lovely meeting such nice like-minded people on the course too, they were all great company and we had such good fun especially after a glass or two of those great wines… The post Steve Randall, UK appeared first on Stirred ..read more