I'm happy to announce that I have some big news: my next culinary adventure has been planned!

This year the adventure will focus on the region of Puglia (the heel of the Italian boot) from October 14-18, 2012.  I'm excited, and thrilled to introduce you to some amazing regional chefs and wines, without too much schlepping.  We'll be based at the luxurious hotel Il Melograno for 5 days, where centuries-old olive trees look like sculpture. Owners Camillo Guerra and his daughter Roberta will be our hosts at their restored, amplified masseria farm with citrus groves and a spa.  There'll be cooking lessons with my favorite chefs and dinners paired with fantastic local wines by winery owners.  There'll be a morning in Bari-with free time for museums, churches, a visit and tasting with an amazing fishmonger, lunch at my favorite trattoria.  I've planned an excursion to Grottaglie for pottery shopping at the source-with a special discount.   We'll taste burrata at its very greatest, just formed, mind-boggling, as you've never tasted it before.  You'll meet the region's finest pasta maker and learn why his pasta is so special and we'll feast on a pasta-centric lunch.  We'll taste taralli and see cavatelli and orecchiette crafted by hand, made with local hard wheat and grano arso, burnt wheat, a local specialty found nowhere else in Italy.  I've left free time to enjoy Il Melograno's spa.

I've organized cooking lessons with Pietro Zito (Antichi Sapori, Montegrosso), Rosario di Donna ('U Vulesce, Cerignola), Franco Ricatti (Bacco, Bari), Antonella Ricci and Vinod Sookar (Al Fornello da Ricci, Ceglie Messapica), and Peppe Zullo (Peppe Zullo, Orsara di Puglia).  Pasta lesson from Benedetto Cavalieri's son Andrea.  We'll taste wines from Alberto Longo, Amastuola, A Mano, Antica Enotria, Cantina due Palme, and Morella with their producers. 

2,125 euro per person, 300 euro supplement for single occupancy, maximum 20 participants.   Transportation to and from Bari, lodging, all meals and wine are included in the five-day program.  Spa treatments are extra.   500 euro non-refundable deposit required, final payment 30 days before the Adventure. Those who wish to extend their stay or arrive early will receive a special rate.

Details

Sunday, October 14-Transportation from the Bari airport to Il Melograno in Monopoli.  Merenda snack on arrival.  Cooking lesson with Rosario di Donna and his mother Pina from the trattoria 'U Vulesce, Cerignola followed by dinner with winemaker Luigi di Tuccio from Antica Enotria.

Monday, October 15-Relax and enjoy Il Melograno's spa and beautiful gardens before a pasta lesson with Andrea Cavallieri-he'll prepare a pasta-centric lunch.  We'll be drinking the wonderful wines of A Mano with owners-winemakers Mark Shannon and Elvezia Sbalchiero.  Late afternoon seafood lesson with Franco Ricatti from Bacco.  Wines from Morella with owner-winemaker Lisa Gilbee.

Tuesday, October 16-Late morning visit to Bari, the church of San Nicola, the city's greatest fish monger, and a light trattoria lunch.  Late afternoon cooking lesson with Antonella Ricci and Vinod Sookar of Al Fornello da Ricci followed by dinner with winemaker Angelo Maci of Cantina Due Palme.

Wednesday, October 17-Shopping excursion to Grottaglie for pottery from the best artisan, Franco Fasano-with a special discount.  Light seafood lunch on the coast.  Late afternoon cooking lesson with Pietro Zito of Antichi Sapori followed by dinner with Giuseppe Sportelli from the winery Amastuola.

Thursday, October 18-Free time to enjoy the spa. Light lunch at Il Melograno featuring just-made burrata and burnt wheat taralli and the wines of A Mano with owners Mark and Elvezia.  Late afternoon cooking lesson with Peppe Zullo of Ristorante Peppe Zullo followed by dinner with winery owner Alberto Longo.

Friday, October 19-Departure with transportation to Bari airport. 

Region: Puglia