If you dream of staying in a villa in the Italian countryside, this is where we will stay, work, eat and wander in the garden.
Do you adore Italy and Italian food? It’s hard to find a food-obsessed person who doesn’t. So now you have at least two reasons to join me September 6 to 10, 2017, for Food Writing for Food Lovers, a writing workshop in Italy.
I’m partnering with Demet Güzey, a food historian, scientist, and food writing instructor at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. A Turk living in Verona, Demet speaks Italian and will be our guide as we discover the foods, wines and countryside of the Valpolicella region outside Verona. Demet writes about culinary travel and has a certificate in Wine education, which will also be part of our workshop. Her first book, Food on Foot: A History of Eating on Trails and in the Wild, debuts this spring.
(If you’d like to know more about taking a class from me, see my bio and these testimonials. Also read this blog post about my last workshop to get a sense of what to expect.)
Demet and I met last year when she attended my food writing workshop in Chinon, France. Since then we have been exploring beautiful villas (virtually, in my case) in the countryside to find the right one for our workshop. And we found a beauty, only 15 minutes from the town of Verona, with manicured grounds full of statues, and huge bedrooms.
There’s only one catch: There are six bedrooms, so students are limited. This is good news for you, as you will benefit from the extra attention that occurs with a small, intimate group. Some of the bedrooms have adjoining rooms, making them the perfect set-up to bring a a friend. We’ve offered steep discounts to two students who do so. And if you want to travel around Italy with a friend before or after, bring a non-participating partner who will join us for all meals and outings.
What you’ll do at this Italy writing workshop:
The gorgeous dining room where we will eat breakfast each morning.
- Learn techniques to make your food writing sparkle
- Visit culinary artisans and a winery, and write about them. Receive immediate feedback from an instructor
- Demet will teach us how to taste and describe wine
- Learn about trends in writing books, feature articles and blogs
- Sharpen your pitching skills for feature stories.
Not to mention our fabulous outings:
- Take a tortellini-making class at one of the best restaurants of the region
- Visit a salumeria to taste cured meats
- Visit one of the region’s oldest wineries, a favorite of Hemingway’s, and eat lunch al fresco
- Dine at exquisite restaurants that Demet has chosen for us, all specializing in regional specialties and local produce
The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, with time for group sharing and writing alone.
At the end you’ll have private consultations with Demet and me about writing technique, career goals, or whever else you’d like to discuss.
The bedrooms are all different, but here is a sample. You get your own chandelier! And lots of space.
Sound good? Let’s enjoy the late summer garden and vineyards, eat well, and work on our craft. Our group will be small, between six and eight students. So don’t wait to register, because attendance is limited.
Cost ranges from €1800 per person (approximately $1,900 US) to €2250 (approximately $2,375 US) per person, depending on lodging preferences.
For more details on our four-day workshop, see this website page.
Meanwhile, enjoy one last photo, of the Valpolicella countryside and vineyards:
Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Demet will also chime in. Arrivederci!
Oh, my – what a glorious opportunity to learn some new tricks and to enjoy a wonderful part of the world.
I know how much you love to come to Italy, Amanda. It would be fun!
I wish we could but my kids wedding ceremony conflicts so excited for you about this.
Thanks. I’m pretty excited about it myself! Is this the wedding ceremony in England?
Yay!! So happy to hear that a trip to Italy is in your future. Glad it is working out. Let me know if you pass through Rome.
Thanks Elizabeth. I’m really looking forward to the workshop. I haven’t made travel plans but this time I don’t think Rome will be on the list — darn it!
How does it work if I travel with my husband but he doesn’t take the writing workshop? Would he still be able to stay with me?
Stacey – all questions (that I can think of) are answered by clicking on the link provided in the post…very detailed!
I am trying to think of ways to be on this course, Dianne…it sounds absolute bliss…
Demet and I worked hard on making it sound appealing — a good mix of vacation, work, culture, and great eating. Maybe we’ll entice you, Rachel.
I am suitably enticed!! It sounds absolutely magical. It’s just logistics…but I’m working on it!
Yes. There is a rate for “non-participating partners,” which means your husband stays with you, eats all the meals with you (and us) and comes on all the outings. He just wouldn’t attend the writing workshop part, which will take place in the villa.
Wow, quite enticing. With captivating views, cucina deliciosa, the villa and inspiring company are calling me…and perhaps my bicicletto!
You will be surrounded by beautiful, smart women, John. I hope you’ll consider coming!
This sounds like a dream! Would love to attend. Will make contact asap. Isabella Niehaus ( South Africa)
Hello Isabella! We would love to have you. Email Demet to get started.
Wow Diane,
Thanks to following David Lebowitz I’ve found you again!
This is Debbie , formerly “Debbie Does Dessert”. I remember our shared cooking experiences with you, Owen and Lisa Waldschmidt fondly! I would love to reconnect.
Find me on FB or Instagram @ idosbydeb.
Cheers!
Wow..very interesting!
Thank you to choice Italy for your lessons. Verona is a wonderful place for landscape, history and food.
Good luck for this magnificent experience and opportunity!
Thanks Lucia. We still have a few spots, if you’re interested.
Hi Dianne,
Will you be offering more events like this in the future?
Hi Darcy,
I’ll probably be doing a workshop in December 2018 in Chinon France. You can read about last year’s event here:
http://diannej.com/2016/france-food-writing-workshop/
Stacey – it looks like all the questions I can think of are covered in the link you shared in the post…very thorough! Dianne, I’m just trying to figure out how I can join this course…it sounds like pure bliss.
Hi there, we will have another workshop in Sicily in 2027. Let me know if you’re interested.