Italy Day 3-Sorrento and Cooking Class

Slept in this morning until 8 am.  Had a leisurely breakfast and then a 1.5 mile walk to the town square.  Frank and I enjoyed a glass of wine and some appetizers as the others went on a shopping spree.

When they had spent their fortune and returned to the Aurora Wine Bar and Restaurant, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, and took a cab back to the hotel to prepare for our cooking class tonight with Dea in Cucina.

Should you ever get an opportunity to spend time in Sorrento...put this class on your bucket list.  DEA in Cucina is a family-run business started by Martina on her familie's farm in the hills of Sorrento. This farm has been in the family for 300 years.  They make Limoncello, Olive Oil, Cheese, and Pasta, all from ingredients grown and harvested on their acreage.  

Martina and her father picked us up at our hotel, 3 of us to each car.  As we drove, Martina explained that they need to own small cars to get up to the property and that we would understand as we continued our journey.  We certainly did, as you will see in the video that I am sharing. 

Her brother, Genero, was our teacher for the evening, and he was absolutely amazing.  At only 20 years of age, he carries himself well.  He is friendly, outgoing, patient, and funny.  He started us out making Tiramisu, both Limoncello-flavored and the traditional coffee-flavored.  

His Nonna (Grandmother) joined us and taught us how to make fresh Mozzarella Cheese.  Once the cheese was made and soaking in cold water, we went outside to make the pasta for ravioli while Nonna and Genero's mother made a fresh tomato sauce and set the table for dinner.

The evening started and ended with their homemade Limoncello, and wine was poured both during the class and with dinner that started with a Caprese Salad using the fresh Mozzarella we had just seen made, and tomatoes, basil, and oregano, dressed with their farm-made olive oil. This was followed by the Ravioli we had just made and finished with the Tiramisu we had made when we first arrived. 

The food was wonderful, but what made the evening so special was the family that opened their home and their hearts to us, making us feel so welcome.  It was a magical evening, and the magic continued as we walked down to our hotel, and fireworks began going off over the water.  A perfect ending to a perfect day.