Missions, Markets and Assisi Ties in Santa Barbara

Not all cooking classes start with shopping for ingredients at a local outdoor produce market. But my Santa Barbara class with Mary and Ed did.

Not all cooking classes are preceded with a direct Assisi link. But this one was: there was San Francesco right over the main altar in the Santa Barbara (Franciscan) mission church, our stop after the market shopping

Not all cooking class participants don a “Buon appetito” apron, gift of cooking class hosts. Mary and Ed’s cooks did – and then all gathered in front of their house for a photo:

Not all Umbrian rural cuisine cooking classes are greeted with a link to Umbria right at the front door. San Francesco is right there in Mary and Ed’s entryway.

Not all cooking classes start with a mini-quiz to check out guests’ knowledge of Italian. Ed had one ready for the guests and Garbriele and Jeff won first prize: first option on which dish on our menu to cook.

 

Not all Umbrian cuisine cooking classes have such varied past links. Santa Barbara hosts, Mary and Ed (and guests, Judy and Vince) had last toured with me in Umbria in 2004! Ed first cooked with me at a class years ago in southern California. Neither of us can remember the date – perhaps 2000?

Ron and Ron (who joined us for dessert) are a more recent link: I toured with them last year during their Umbrian continuing education workshops – and will be their guide again this fall for their programs.

I’ll see warm and welcoming Santa Barbara hosts, Mary and Ed, even sooner: they arrive in Assisi the day I return, April 1st, for a week-long stay in our Assisi apartment. Looking forward to having you with us, Ed and Mary – and know Good Friday morning events as well as evening procession will astound. And of course, you must join me at our local country church for the Easter cheese bread blessings.

And when are all of you other Santa Barbara “cooks” coming to visit me in Umbria? Mille grazie to each for connecting together while cooking up the Umbrian goodness.

 

….and here are our guests’ comments:

“Thanks for bringing my dreams come true! This dinner was a longtime coming but absolutely wonderful!” Ed

“What a wonderful celebration of food and friends and you” Mary

“What a wonderful dinner with so many wonderful guests. Enjoyed so much.” Marguerite and Frank

“…wonderful time with you and our dear friends….thank you, Anne, for a terrific time” Julio and Madeline

“I was looking forward to this evening with so much anticipation. What a lovely, interesting time with very fun people! Thank you, Mary, Ed and Anne!” Gabrielle

“Gabrielle can’t believe I actually worked in the kitchen to help prepare this delicious meal! What a pleasure and delicious dinner – despite my contribution!” Jeff

“…a wonderful evening. Enjoyed every minute. Food was delicious- enjoyed cooking with everyone.” Valerie

“Thank you for an enjoyable evening and all the insight to our favorite homeland, Italy” Louise and David

“Thanks for a great dinner. You taught me to chop parsley so that my wife has given me a full-time job. Keep up your enthusiastic cooking lessons.” Vince