The Time of Our Lives!
After two very jovial weeks in Lucca with more than 60 guests at Jovial Culinary Getaways, we are back at work. It is hard to come down from such an experience, and we continue to grasp at the fresh memories of new faces, great meals, laughter, conversation and the beauty of Italy. Here is a glimpse of the magic we all experienced together.
We spent week one with Shauna and Danny Ahern and we celebrated our time together with many recipes from their new book Gluten Free Girl Every Day. This beautiful new book is about living and eating well first, being gluten free second. It was a fitting time to sit back and relax and celebrate the abundant flavors of local and seasonal ingredients, while knowing there was no need to be concerned about gluten.
As Shauna joyfully took the mystery out of making delicious whole grain gluten free bread, Danny had the time of his life stoking the fire in the old brick oven outside. The weather was unseasonably cold and rainy that week, but on this day, the Tuscan sun warmed our souls as we dined al fresco. What an afternoon!
On Wednesday, we organized an impromptu visit to the Cinque Terre. This wonderful group of people not only cooked together, they also travelled together. What an amazing day taking the ferry from town to town, each face glowing upon the return home to the villa. A long day together was not enough, there would be a community dinner to follow in the kitchen and conversation until the wee hours of the morning.
On Thursday, we prepared a warming meal of whole gluten free grains and vegetables and learned how easy it is to prepare grains. The millet and asparagus fritters were to die for.
The magical time we shared together was fostered by the beautiful surroundings. Lunch after the class outside on the front lawn with the wonderful food and good wine just brought out the best in each of us.
The first few days passed so slowly, it seemed as if time was at a standstill. That is when you know all is well, unlike in our busy lives when the days just seem to flee so quickly. This group became a family on the first day, and the bond grew stronger as time passed. Late nights in that villa kitchen work magic and it became easy to express our newfound feelings for each other and make plans for meetings Stateside. The final dinner was prepared together on Friday night and the menu was extensive.
As the final preparations were being tended to in the kitchen, we gathered in the living room to get together the Gluten Free Getaway playlist.
An amazing farewell dinner would follow with a secret sadness that this beautiful week was coming to a close.
After dinner, we danced our final hours away in the ballroom. The youngest at 4 and the oldest at 80 something lighted up the evening and warmed our hearts with joy.
As our glorious gluten free guests departed on Saturday morning, our second group of traditional foods enthusiasts arrived. More on that coming soon, but for now…
To Jen, Mark, Kathryn, Thea, Mary, Jim, Nathalie, Andrea, Tanya, Geoff, Lisa, Greg, Kelsey, Lori, MJ, Susan, Andrew, RJ, Yuki and, of course, Ray and Victoria, you are now a part of the jovial family forever. Thanks for making all of our hard work totally worthwhile!
Love,
Paola, Carla and Heidi
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