Italian Food Discovery Tour with Raffaela Delmonte

Date: 24/03/2012
Start Time: 8:45am
End Time: 4:30pm approx.
Price: $165

Join Italian food diva Raffaela Delmonte along with Finding Flavour and immerse yourself in a day of shopping for Italian cooking ingredients and eating delicious food.

The day will start with a market visit to shop for olive oil, cheese and fresh produce.  Then time for coffee in an Italian cafe while Raffaela gives a brief overview of Italian cuisine. We travel to a major specialist food shop, where Raffaela will explain some of the Italian products in-store. The group will be treated to lunch in her home where we will pick up a cooking tip or two! We will also enjoy a tasting of Italian wines before the day finishes with some refreshing authentic gelato.

This will be an intriguing day of market and shop visits, tastings and a special lunch, all guided by Raffaela.  Raffaela is passionate about using quality ingredients in her cooking, so you can be assured that you will learn about - and taste - the best of Italian cuisine.

This premium full-day tour includes guiding by Raffaela, transportation, tastings, morning coffee and a special lunch, plus an information pack to take home.

Book now, as space is limited!

Our Inaugural tour held on 2 April, 2011:

"A great day, friendly, relaxed, with like-minded people.  It's amazing what you find out about your own city."  Feedback on the day.

 

Ciao, Bella!  Italian food diva Raffaela Delmonte took us on a journey of Italian food discovery on a sunny autumn day. She shared the story of her arrival in New Zealand and of her passion for good food shared with family and friends. We were all tempted to share in "la dolce vita" with her!

We started with a visit to the Parnell Farmers' Market, which fortuitously was holding its Autumn Harvest Market.

 

  
Tasting Karaka Grove olive oil        Colchis makes cheeses perfect for Italian cooking

 

   
Raffaela explains Italian-style bread at the Pukeko Bakery stall

Time for morning coffee at Covo on Fort Street.  Ivan has started Covo restaurants (there are now three) as a place to gather, socialise and eat good honest Italian food.  The Covo near Carlaw Park is a wine bar featuring wines from Italy.

 
Raffaela and Ivan at Covo Restaurant              Coffee Time


Delicious pine nut biscuits with our coffee

  
A shopping tour of the new Farro Fresh revealed some delicious Italian products.
Raffaela explained the smallgoods and cheeses...with tastings of course!

What would Italian cuisine be without pasta?

Next our journey took us to the idyllic rural setting of Raffaela's home:

  
Antipasti with fresh figs from the market, Otello's sausage, cheese, Raffaela's quince paste and organic honey


Phil Clarke from A Touch of Italy guided us through a tasting of several Italian wines

 

Raffaela's husband makes authentic Italian sausages.  Check out www.Otellos.co.nz

  
Raffaela demonstrated making polenta and our main dish using Otello's sausages.

We completed lunch with panettone and moscato courtesy of A Touch of Italy.  The freshly made Italian coffee was much appreciated!

Back into the city for some authentic gelato at Giapo's. Founder/owner Gianpaolo Grazioli makes organic, vegan gelato in a wide variety of flavours...and created a special parmesan and olive oil flavour for us to taste!  Then we chose a cone or tub of flavours to our liking.

  
Lynn and Gianpaolo                         

"Mille Grazie", Raffaela, for a day to remember!

Ready to book? Click here for our online booking form.