Second episode of our “virtual gastronomic tour” that follows the agenda of the Academia Barilla Gastronomic VIP Tour to Emilia-Romagna organized and guided by Academia Barilla Culinary School Alumni Frank DiMaria.

After exploring Parma’s locations and initiatives included in the gastronomic tour with a previous post, today we will discover all the learning, teamworking and fun moments the tour guest will enjoy at the Academia Barilla Culinary Center.

Located right in front of the 5-star hotel where the tour guest will stay in Parma, the Academia Barilla Culinary Center will be like a second home in Parma for the VIP tour participants.

On Monday, September 22, day two of the VIP gastronomic tour, the first learning and fun moment at Academia Barilla is guaranteed. After breakfast, tour guests will be welcomed to Academia Barilla with a guided tour of the Culinary Center and the first hands-on cooking session in the morning, that ends with a group lunch based on the gourmet dishes cooked together.

Two days later, after discovering Parma, the Italian Food Valley with all its century-old food culture secrets (artisan food production, Medieval castles, the culinary culture and food specialties of Modena and Bologna) and right after a morning walking trip to the local outdoor market, a second hands-on cooking class at the Academia will focus on a menu that includes all the traditional gastronomy products discovered during the entire VIP gastronomic tour.

The group lunch in Academia Barilla that follows will be prepared by the tour participants, more food fun after the food learning!

Academia Barilla will be stage for a “farewell event” with group dinner also on the evening of day five of the 6-day VIP gastronomic tour, with a gourmet dinner menu prepared by the Chefs of the Academia Barilla Culinary Center the tour guest have known in the previous days.

We cannot really synthesize in a blog post the experience of learning how to cook, how to taste traditional food products and enjoying top gourmet food at Academia Barilla, you really have to experience it directly.

In case you missed an article we published a couple of weeks ago, did you know that Gourmet magazine just listed the Academia Barilla Culinary Center in Parma among the world’s best cooking school, ranking our Culinary Center among the top 5 schools in the world for the category “Luxury cooking schools“?

Also, there may be the chance you will be interviewed for our blog about your experience at Academia Barilla and with the VIP gastronomy tour, as we will be there too! You could end up also being a testimonial for our Italian Food Lovers blog! See you soon in Parma at the Academia Barilla Culinary Center!

Remember that the tour program may be subject to variations - check out the program and tour details published here and just stay tuned with Frank DiMaria for latest news and updates on this Academia Barilla VIP gastronomy tour. For more info and booking call Frank at +1 847 965-0672 or +1 847 417-7587, or email him at frankdimaria@comcast.net.

Next blog post for this series: artisan food producers, a Medieval castle and the Ferrari Museum!

Academia Barilla Italian Culinary Specialist and Iron Chef Judge Mario Rizzotti is back on TV for another educational session on how to recognize authentic traditional Italian cheeses from fakes.

TV Host Vince Gerasole invited Mario Rizzotti for a special extra insight on CBS2 Chicago’s popular food show Table for Two. You can watch the entire video segment from the TV show at this link - we couldn’t embed it, but we got some screenshots for you, and we can summarize the Italian food insight and tips shared by Mario Rizzotti at the show.

Mario started presenting Parmigiano Reggiano, the king of cheeses, as something totally different from what you get “in the green can”, as asked by Vince Gerasole. Parmigiano Reggiano, tells Rizzotti, has more than 900 years of history, as recorded by historic menus and publications. Parmigiano Reggiano is entirely made of specially-fed cows in the area of Parma, and shouldn’t be confused with “Parmesan cheese“, a sort of mass production product for the export markets.

To recognize the authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, as Mario Rizzotti reminds, it is enough to check the external part of the wheel, that must feature the “Parmigiano Reggiano” original print all around.

But the major revelation about the authenticity of the product comes with the tasting. Parmigiano Reggiano must be cut into blocks (chunks) to fully appreciate its crunchiness and sandiness, the latter created by the amino-acids released by the proteins of the high-quality milk used for its production.

The quality of the ingredients and its rich flavor make Parmigiano Reggiano a great choice for many applications: grated or shaved on pasta, as an aperitivo with a glass of wine and, as told by Mario Rizzotti, also as a “munchie” for young babies aged 6 months, because of the good milk, that carries great calcium and protein for kids.

Academia Barilla Italian Culinary Specialist Mario Rizzotti also introduced other Italian regional cheeses, focusing on all the varieties of Pecorino (Romano, Toscano, Sardinian, Sweet), the popular cheese made of sheep’s milk cheese.

To counterbalance the tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano, Mario Rizzotti invited TV Host Vince Gerasole to taste Academia Barilla’s Pecorino Gran Cru, which is the first sheep’s milk cheese produced with the same production technique and aging process used for Parmigiano Reggiano, making it… the king of sheep’s milk cheeses!

You can find Academia Barilla’s Parmigiano Reggiano (both in wedges or as a whole wheel) and Pecorino Gran Cru at the Academia Barilla online store, and at the best gourmet food and specialty stores in the United States.

If you want to catch up with Mario Rizzotti, you have two choices: check your local listing to see him in action as a Judge for Iron Chef America, or meet him in person for an Italian food demo at the Barilla Italian Cooking Weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend!

This is definitely the best time of the year to visit the Chicago Botanic Garden. The mild climate, the summer light and the awesome settings of the garden’s landscapes surely invite for a day of nature exploration and discovery, long walks, bike rides, or to enjoy one of the many learning workshops and events offered by the Chicago Botanic Garden.

This is also the time of the year when, among the other events and attractions, the Botanic Garden also presents the Garden Chef Series, a lineup of top Chefs with a full calendar of cooking demos every Saturday and Sunday starting the last week of may, and closing the first week of October.

Barilla America, the presenting sponsor for the 2008 Garden Chef Series, will showcase the Barilla Italian Cooking Weekend, a weekend of Italian cooking programs and special giveaways at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden this Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27. Barilla USA and Academia Barilla sponsored also last year’s edition of the Garden Chef Series - you might remember our blog posts from last year’s edition.

This year, Barilla USA Executive Chef Lorenzo Boni, Academia Barilla Italian Culinary Specialist Mario Rizzotti, the participating Chicago top Chefs and their respective teams, will give demonstrations using fresh Italian ingredients such as those found in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden.

Among the participating Chefs is Chef Doug D’Avico, who is already participating in our Italian Food Lovers Chef Network.

In addition to plant and recipe giveaways, the Barilla Italian Cooking Weekend will offer family activities and tastings of gourmet olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta, traditional Italian cheeses and other Italian gastronomy delights.

The event is free but seating is limited, so please make sure to arrive early.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is easy to find, located approximately 20 miles north of Chicago at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Illinois. Google Map below for driving directions.

We have already received a number of gourmet recipes from the Chefs of the Barilla Italian Cooking Weekend that we will be sure to share with you after the event.

So be ready for yummy dishes and top Chef tips for the preparation of Farfalle Piccolini Salad, Sautéed Wild Mushroom Bruschetta, Crescenza Ravioli with Parmigiano Reggiano and Truffle butter sauce, Lobster Bread Salad, Chicken Parmesan with Campanelle Pasta and more - all on our Italian Food Lovers blog, stay tuned!

New summer wine classes and updates from our friends at Learn About Wine, a good opportunity to discover wine culture or just enjoy a wine tasting event in the great Los Angeles Area and in Southern California.

After the successful TASTE Italy event at the D+D Museum at LACMA in LA few weeks ago, today July 11 Learn About Wine propose the second TASTE evening: TASTE Paso Robles & BBQ at A+D Museum with LACMA, time 7-9:30PM, entrance $55. More info here.

Academia Barilla Italian Culinary Specialist Francesco Zimone, who is often present for food demos at the events organized by Learn About Wine, sent us a full summer schedule of Wine Tasting Classes and events in LA and Southern California organized by Learn About Wine, so make sure to mark a few of these dates down:

7/13 Sunday School: Palate Builder, 3-5:15PM, $75. More info here.

7/19 Vintage Burgundy in Orange County, 2-4:00PM, $125. More info here.

7/20 Sunday School: Vintage Burgundy, 3-5:15PM, $125. More info here.

7/26 “STARS of France” at Two Rodeo, 7-10:00PM, $140. More info here.

7/27 Wine Business 101 - “I Want to Work in the Wine Business!”, 3-5:15PM, $129. More info here.

8/1 TASTE Sonoma at A+D Museum with LACMA, 7-9:30PM, $55. More info here.

8/3 Wine Camp - Intro to Wine, 3-5:30PM, $50. More info here.

FOUR SUNDAY SESSIONS - L.A.W. School, Aug. 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st, $400. More info here.

8/16 Vintage Champagne at Josie Restaurant, 3-5:15PM, $175. More info here.

8/23 “STARS of California” at Two Rodeo, 7-10:00PM, $140. More info here.

8/30 Vintage Cult at Bill Lowe Gallery, 4-6:00 PM, $190. More info here.

9/5 TASTE ABC & Tango, 7-9:30PM, $55. More info here.

9/6 Rosenthal Malibu Estate Tour - Members First Ticket Access until July 15. More info here.

9/7 Wine Camp - Intro to Wine, 3-5:30PM, $50. More info here.

9/14 Sunday School - Top Wines of Paso Robles, 3-5:15PM, $75. More info here.

9/18 Vintage Bordeaux at Bill Lowe Gallery, 3-5:15PM, $95 (price subject to changes). More info here. 

9/21 Sunday School: Wine, Cheese & Chocolate, 3-5:15 PM, $59. More info here.

9/28 Vintage Pinot Noir at STK, 4-6:00PM, $95* (price subject to changes). More info here.

For more info, sign up and booking, you get directly in touch with Learn About Wine through their website, or just give them a ring at +1 (310) 451-7600.

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce SouthEast started a series of Italian culinary events that will keep the Italian food love high this summer in Miami and Southern Florida.

The Italian Cooking Show, now at its second edition, opened its doors to all Italian food lovers in Coral Gables, FL, last Thursday May 22 for a journey through Italian regional culinary traditions.

Don’t worry if you missed the opening the Italian Cooking Show, as the culinary event has been already scheduled on other dates throughout summertime: June 19, July 17 and August 21, always on Thursday.

We really like the event description on the show brochure by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce SouthEast, so we report it here below:

The Italian culture is rich in history, art, classic architecture and popular tradition, making it an influential part of the history of Western civilization. As a result of continuous historical, geographical, social and cultural changes taken place for centuries, our culinary heritage inevitably acquires an inestimable value.

In the last 50 years, the Italian culinary tradition has become a universal and distinctive trademark of the Italian country and culture. The wander through Italy’s countless marvels can begin with one of its most revealing treasures: cuisine.

The wholesomeness and genuineness of the Italian products sharply contrast with the qualities of the numerous products of a lesser quality currently circulating in the US market and often misleadingly promoted as Italian.

The Italian Cooking Show is hosted at the stylish MiaCucina Showroom (105 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134, Google Maps below for driving directions) in Coral Gables, with top Chefs from renowned Italian restaurants demonstrating the different regional cooking methods used in preparing traditional dishes (pairing wines will be served too).

Each of the 4 Italian Cooking Shows starts at 6:30 PM with cooking demonstrations from top Chefs, who will engage in Italian regional cuisine preparations until 8:30 PM. Cooking demonstrations are followed by an open reception and free tasting session, until 9:30 PM. and each of the 4 Italian Cooking Shows will be dedicated to the culinary traditions of specific selected Italian regions, according to the following schedule:

Thursday May 22 has been dedicated to the cuisine of Northern Italy: Piedmont, Lombardia, Veneto, Trentino.
Thursday June 19 will be dedicated to the traditional regional cuisine of Central Italy: Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Marche.
On Thursday July 17 all the secrets of traditional regional cuisine from Southern Italy will be revealed, with an exploration of the cuisine of Campania, Abruzzo, Puglia and Calabria.
Last but not least, Thursday August 21 the Italian Cooking Show will focus on the culinary traditions of the Italian Islands: Sicily and Sardinia.

Academia Barilla will be of course participating to the event, and Academia Barilla Italian Culinary Specialist Costantino Cicchelli will be on site, offering free tasting sessions and culinary tips for getting the best out of Academia Barilla’s range of Italian traditional regional gourmet products, all of them available also at the Academia Barilla online store, if you cannot make it to the Italian Cooking Show in Miami!