Join restaurateur Carmel Ruggeri and Luca Ciano, multi award winning chef and author from the Lombardy region on a special food tour of Parma in northern Italy... 7 days and 6 nights devoted to getting close and personal with some of Italy's most classic food.
Parma is famous for its rich gastronomical tradition and local produce such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma and dishes such as stuffed pasta “tortelli d’erbetta” and “anolini in brodo”. Look at what we offer:
We meet at Milan Malpensa airport at 12pm to begin our gastronomic adventure of Parma. We make our way to the Grand Hotel De Ville and in the afternoon take a walk around Parma. In the evening we dine at one of Parma’s traditional restaurants where we will enjoy Emilia Romagna classics such as pappardelle al ragù di strolghino (local salami) or tortelli d’erbetta (pasta filled with green vegetables and ricotta) and local cold meat specialties.
This morning we head straight to Academia Barilla, an international project devoted to safeguarding, developing and promoting the regional Italian gastronomic culture as a unique world heritage. Here Chef Luca Ciano will present our first hands-on cooking class and take us through a three course menu of Emilia Romagna classics including: torta fritta with local salumi misti (various kinds of cold cuts), filled hand made pasta with erbette (herbs), Rosa di Parma, that is, pork tenderloin stuffed with Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto, and finally dessert. We will be well equipped with take home mementos including aprons, chef hats, recipes, photos and a certificate at the conclusion of the class.
Lunch will follow in the prestigious Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library which houses over 12.000 titles dating back to the 16th century. In the evening we head out for aperitivos and then to Pepen, a local hotspot and one of Parma’s most popular "paninerias" where we will sample their artichoke pie or amazing pork panini, street food at its best!
Cheese tasting at Montecoppe Azienda. This cheese factory was built on an 18th century property over 240 hectares and owned by Chef Luca’s friends at Smeg. Montecoppe has a strong respect for tradition, handed down from generation to generation by people who have lived endlessly on these lands. Montecoppe’s Parmigiano Reggiano is made using ancient artisan traditions resulting in a cheese of superior quality.
Then onto nearby winery, Lamoretti Azienda Vitivinicola located on the hills south of Parma, which produces local Italian wines such as Parma Lambrusco, Passito, Malvasia and many more. We will spend a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting.
In the evening we head out for pizza, Northern style.
This morning our friends at Rosa dell’Angelo will take us through their prosciutto house which upholds traditional production methods, including raising their pigs outdoors in a natural and protected environment surrounded by ravines, mud volcanoes and oak woods.
We then visit the Torrechiara Castle built between 1448 and 1460, an important example of 15th century architecture situated on the beautiful rolling hills outside Parma. Here we enjoy a relaxed lunch with spectacular views.
Dinner at a local restaurant where we will enjoy dishes such as guanciale di maiale al profumo di aceto balsamico (pork infused with balsamic)
A chance for some great shopping at Fidenza Village, a boutique outlet centre.
In the afternoon we return to Academia Barilla for another hands-on cooking class with Chef Luca Ciano, followed by dinner featuring our very own creations. Academia Barilla is situated in the Barilla Center located just steps away from downtown Parma, on the grounds of the former Barilla Pasta Factory, built in 1910.
We spend the day exploring the beautiful town of Modena, home to balsamic vinegar, preserved meats such as zampone and cotechino; it is also the home of tortellini - plus lots more. We enjoy a tasting followed by lunch in a local trattoria.
This evening our farewell dinner will be held at one of Parma’s finest restaurants.
Breakfast at hotel. Our Food Tour of Parma concludes. Shuttle will depart at 9am for Malpensa Airport from our hotel.
Dates: Tuesday, 7 – 13 May 2017, 7 days & 6 nights
Style: classic relaxed fun and food
Price per person: $4,500 AU per person twin share, single supplementary extra $200. Taxes included. Conditions apply.
Included in price:
Photos courtesy of ‘Luca’s Seasonal Journey’, New Holland Publishers, Academia Barilla, Scott Stokhaug & Emanuel Ruggeri.