Zeppelin's Cooking Class - 11.2.2010

Bright and early in the morning on a dreary day we meet Chef Lorenzo, an Italian native to Orvieto, in front of his restaurant. He walked us towards the market giving us some background on the markets, where and how they started and how important they are to the Italian culture. First stop was a liquor, spice and candy shop where we tried a new type of grappa. It was sweeter and a reddish color. Then off to the market where we all got a ton of samples of cheese and fruit; like a Sam’s club at lunch time. Next it was time to go back to the restaurant and prepare our five course meal. I made fresh bread; foccacia, breads, and regular begets. The other groups in the kitchen made fresh pasta, ragu, potato flan, fried artichoke, wild boar, and a cake. We all had a great time drinking and laughing with the chefs as they tried to teach us. Then it was time for us to stuff our faces and fill our bellies to the brim. Now we all know why the Italians spend so much time eating these meals, it is the only way to eat it all. Your stomach needs time to rest and make room in between the courses. I was proud of the delicious dishes we all were able to make and for one of the first times I had a hard time eating, there was too much for me. After all the flavorful food we finished off with a wine tasting of three different types of Orvieto, Umbria wine. I learned how to properly eat Italian food and pair it with a good wine to emphasize the delicious ingredients in the dishes. No need for a dinner tonight, I am stuffed like a turkey on Thanksgiving.