Positano Dreaming

LA CUCINA DIVINA

‘La Costiera Divina’, The Divine Coast, as the Amalfi Coast, a seductive stretch of coastline lying slinkily on the southern end of the ‘shin’ of the Italian boot, is also known. And aptly named so as this was the playground of the gods! (their myth and mystery still endure…)

Today’s playground is the pearl of the Amalfi Coast: Positano.   It is here that the cooking school, ‘La Cucina Divina’, is located.   Positano is a magnet to both international and fellow Italian visitors. It is a fantasy destination that grabs ahold of you, forever its captive, an enchanting dream from which there is no escape, one filled with romantic light, heady nights and gastronomic delights!   What more perfect place to immerse oneself in southern Italian cuisine!  Just one bite of anything here is enough to swoop you away, as if in Bacchus’ magical panther-drawn chariot to an other-worldly dimension!  Foodies and seasoned traveller’s know that through the enjoyment of a town’s local cuisine, one seemingly tastes the very heart and soul of the place – and here on the Amalfi Coast, once you’ve tasted, the memory lingers and one’s only release is to return…or at least take some of the ‘know-how’ back with you to be re-created in your own kitchen.

‘La Cucina Divina’ arranges cooking experiences which are wickedly fun, informative and deliciously hands-on and without a doubt will be one of your most memorable holiday moments ever!

WHERE ARE THE CLASSES HELD?

Depending on the size of the group and the nature of the experience you’re after, classes are either held in a home environment with Donna Clementina, a well-known local chef, or with Chef Salvatore at a local restaurant in Montepertuso, the small mountain village perched above Positano.

WHAT KIND OF DISHES CAN ONE EXPECT TO PREPARE?

The magic ingredient in Amalfitan gastronomy is its absolute simplicity and authentic use of the freshest, seasonal produce available. Expect to prepare:

• 3 – 4 antipasti (starters). These would typically be a variety of vegetables (all organic and from their local garden) prepared in different ways, and something from the sea – for example alici marinate (marinated anchovies or anchovies filled with smoked mozzarella, crumbed and deep-fried), marinated swordfish or salmon;

• 2 primi piatti (first course – traditionally a pasta or other starch dish). We will make ravioli (filled pasta parcels) and the local handmade pasta called scialatielli, and 3 different sauces – frutti di mare (mixed shellfish), pomodori (fresh tomato) or other seasonal vegetable, like porcini mushrooms plucked from the pine-forest floor, or a meat sauce, such as a ragù;

• 2 secondi piatti(main course) – 1 fish dish, such as pesce al’ acqua pazza’ (fish in crazy water!) and 1 meat dish such as filetto con rucola e parmigiana

• i dolci (dessert) a variety of desserts and/or pastries – this may be, for example, an orange tiramisù, or the most delicious pistachio, walnut, and almond biscotti.

If there are certain dishes you would particularly like to learn how to prepare, or are vegetarian, please allow us to put a more personalised menu together for you to accommodate your preferences.

WHEN ARE CLASSES HELD?

Classes take place during the day, beginning at 10:00, and are approximately 4 – 5 hours duration, depending on the students knowledge and skill.

WHAT ELSE CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE INCLUDED DURING THE CLASS?

• On arrival coffee and homemade biscuits and pastries are served and prosecco, the Italian bubbly flows throughout the lesson;
• Homemade breads to snack on with fresh mozzarella and other mountain cheeses;
• Wines to accompany the meal (you get to savour your culinary creations) which will be enjoyed in the restaurant terrace with a view to the sea, or from the terrace of Donna Clementina’s home overlooking Positano and the sea;
• Coffee and local liqueurs at the end of the meal;
• A manual with pertinent culinary information and enough space to write your recipes and any other notes;
• A certificate of participation from the school;
• A momento from the school;
• Transport from Positano to Montepertuso and back is also included.