Great to see Susan and David Murphy again (many years after I was their tour guide in Umbria) in Sacramento on February 19th for the cooking class in their home. Many University of Santa Clara alum (like me) in this enthusiastic and “participatory” group of Murphy friends and relatives, including their grandson, Cooper. Cooper made and served our first antipasto, the tomato/rucola bruschetta and enthusiastically chopped and diced away during our class. Cooper, still cooking? Seen the recipes on the COOKING page of www.annesitaly.com? When are you coming to cook with me in our farmhouse in Assisi? Susan and David, come, too! La nostra porta e’sempre aperta. Thanks again for a most special evening.
Comments:
(from host, David M, written the “morning after”): “Thank you so much for our “one-of-a-kind” wonderful dinner last night. Everyone loved i and they all loved you. It was specail to have all of us Santa Clara grads together, too….”
“We had such fun learning about Umbria, cutting and chopping together….” Jodi S
“Such an incredible experiences. ..chopping food, learning techniques…and in great company!” Ralph and Sue B
“Anne, thank you for a fun night of great Umbrian food, laughs and lots of dishes! We had a fabulous time…” Jeanne and Fred V
“What a fabulous night of food, family and fellowship. This is a wonderful experience.” Selena and Bryan S
- (click to enlarge photos)
Danville was my next stop (Feb 20th) and Glenna and David Howard generously opened their home to a great group of young couples, most with children whose swimming coach, Jan Hagan was there with her husband Bill. Jan and Bill had hosted for me years ago in Castro Valley and told the Howards about my classes. The link to Jan and Bill? Their daughter Kim was a Backroads bike-tour leader for many years in Umbria and other areas of Italy and I had guided her groups through Assisi – and also gave my talk to Backroads groups on Italian gestures. Kim dropped in our class close to tiramisu-making time. So good to see her. Lucy, too was a surprise: she now lives in Chico and we had not seen each other since June 1969 when we left Rome after our jr-yr-abroad. She often played her guitar for us in Rome and she played again that evening, after putting away her apron, knife and cutting board. The Howards also generously welcomed to the class our son, Mattia, now living in Oakland, CA. Mille grazie, David and Glenna, for hosting such a lovely gathering of new friends, old friends and family (Mattia).
I wish to thank top photographer Jan Hagan for wonderful photos of our Danville cooking class. To see the photos, please click on http://gallery.mac.com/jmhagan and then click on Annie Cooking.
Mille grazie, Jan!
A word from host, David H:
“Annie, Wonderful food, fantastic time – we will do this again!”
…and from his guests:
“Loved your stories, your style and your food! Thank you so much!” Jill H –
“Who knew that squash with past was sooooooo delicious!? Thanks for the lovely meal!” Luis
“…the aromas tonight will last with me forever………ahh!..thanks for a great night” – Melanie
After a few days in San Francisco and the Oakland area, with old friends and with Mattia, I took the train to Menlo Park on Feb 22nd for my last event for this year in the Bay Area. Kathi and Kaydee gathered lovely and dynamic women (wish I had had more time to talk to each of you and hear more about your interesting careers, families, etc) for a cooking evening at the home of Kathi. Kaydee had done a marvelous pre-event organizational job and Kathi opened her home to us on the same evening she took a “red-eye” to Milwaukee for work! After our feast, she simply took off her apron, told us to stick around and enjoy the evening and her home and headed to the airport. Mamma mia! Che ospitalita’! Warmest thanks to you both!
Please click here to see Kathi’s photos of our Menlo Park event.
A word from my host, Kathi: “Thank you for the amazing evening – your energy and spirit, so wonderful and infectious. Looking forward to many more events!” Kathi L
…and comments from her guests: “Thank you for sharing your food with us; more importantly, thank you for sharing your spirit.” Julie
“Anne, wow! I love the life lessons you had put together in a cooking class. Thank you so much!” Mary
“Anne, I have a 12- yr-old daughter who sould love to learn to cook with you. I will be happy to host moms and daughters (or sons!) on your next visit”. Grazie, Muni