In honor of the
Italian explorer being recognized today, let’s celebrate
the rich traditions of Italian culture — food and drink! (It’s almost lunchtime…)
The folks at Italian Cooking and Living
offer up a host of culinary and travel items that spread the spirit of Italy. Besides their two
magazines, the company runs the Italian
Culinary Institute, food and wine clubs, cooking classes and culinary tours. Their
Italian Table Tours host gourmet vacations
throughout Italy. There are several tours scheduled for Fall 2005 to
Tuscany and
Emilia Romagna and
trips to Apulia, Bologna and Lake Orta are already posted for 2006. They’re pricey escapes, but probably highly
delectable and worth the splurge if it’s what your craving.
If you can’t get away, then experience Italia closer to home. Watch clips from their
TV show or visit New York for a class — last month
the group reopened their Italian Culinary Center,
offering a long list of food, wine and language
classes. Or join one of their clubs, like
cheese or olive oil, and receive a monthly taste of Italy by mail. Their website offers tons more: a recipe archive,
tips on how to cut and prepare food, explanations of regional cuisines and a rather extensive glossary of Italian
cooking terms. Mangia!