Gourmet Italy with Grossi

Join Celebrity chef Guy Grossi on dream ‘dolce vita’ luxury food and wine focused trip to Italy in May 2012.

Valid until sold out

8 days from $12,969pp

Product Code: 923225

Guy Grossi and luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent have collaborated to put together a dream ‘dolce vita’ food and wine focused trip to Italy in May 2012 for a maximum of 20 guests. This is a unique opportunity to accompany Guy as he gathers the freshest produce during local market tours followed by hands-on preparation of regional Italian cuisine, in intimate groups. A three-hour master class at a cooking school in the centre of Florence led by Guy is sure to be a highlight.

Your Itinerary

The 'Tuscan Culinary Escape with Guy Grossi' is 8-days and includes the historic attractions of Rome, the Eternal City, and Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, coupled with an extended stay in the Tuscan countryside where your culinary adventures take place. Discover glorious art, architecture, food and wine with your culinary confidant, Guy Grossi.

Over the course of your journey, you will have four culinary adventures with Guy. For three of those sessions, the group will be divided into smaller groups to ensure everyone has the opportunity to interact with him. Each group will accompany Guy through the meal creation process. From exploring the local markets and sourcing fresh produce, to the preparation and cooking of the meals, Guy will be your personal mentor.

 

“This trip represents a chance for me and my fellow travellers to experience firsthand the source of inspiration for the food we serve in our family’s restaurants. When I travel to Italy, for me it isn’t about eating the latest new dish. It’s more like a refresh" - Guy Grossi

Tour Dates & Pricing

• 8 days / 7 nights, 21 - 28 May 2012.
• Pricing: AUD$12,960 per person based on twin / double share.Terms and conditions apply.

 

Your Sightseeing

In Rome, enjoy a drive around the eternal city at dusk. Explore the city‟s most famous piazzas and fountains before proceeding to the Gianicolo, the eighth hill of Rome for a breathtaking view of the entire illuminated city. Explore the Vatican City, Italy‟s smallest independent state, and its treasures including the Sistine Chapel and its famous frescoes by Michelangelo and the iconic St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican‟s dominant structure.

From Rome, you will travel to Tuscany, known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on culture. Tuscany is a region where the past and present merge in pleasant harmony. Hill-towns gaze across the countryside, many encircled by Etruscan walls and slender cypress trees. Amongst the vineyards and olive groves, there are hamlets and farmhouses as well as fortified villas and castles that symbolize the violence and inter-communal strife that tore Tuscany apart in the Middle Ages.

Explore the beautiful Chianti countryside visiting some of the lovely hilltop towns such as Greve and Castellina, and enjoy wine tastings at local vineyards.

Get to know the dazzling city of Florence as you explore on foot with your local English-speaking guide. Visit the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), the city‟s most famous landmark and the Galleria dell'Accademia, home of Michelangelo's David. You will also visit San Lorenzo Church and chapels, once the parish church of the Medici‟s, where most of the family members are buried.

You‟ll travel to Siena, built on three hills and enclosed by a set of walls and gates. Visit the Piazza del Campo, one of the finest main squares in Italy. See the Palazzo Pubblico which has served as Siena's Town Hall since the 1300s and visit Siena's Duomo considered to be one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy with unforgettable frescoes in the Piccolomini Library.

Your Culinary Adventures

Over the course of your trip, you will have four culinary adventures with Guy. For three of those sessions, the group will be divided into smaller groups to ensure everyone has the opportunity to interact with him. Each group will accompany Guy through the meal creation process. From exploring the local markets and sourcing fresh produce, through to the preparation and cooking of the actual meals, Guy will be your personal mentor. Whether it‟s the welcome dinner, lunch or the farewell dinner, your time with Guy will certainly be exciting, entertaining and educational.

Your fourth experience is the Florence Cooking Class, a demonstration master class where Guy will share some of the philosophies he applies in his award-winning restaurants. This session promises to be one of the highlights of the trip. The venue for this not-to-be-missed event is the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in the centre of Florence.

Your Accommodation

Upon arrival at Rome airport you will be welcomed to Italy by Abercrombie & Kent and privately transferred to your hotel, the fabulous St. Regis Hotel. A landmark property, this hotel has opulent interiors and epic elegance. You‟ll be spoiled with lavish accommodation in richly decorated rooms and immaculate service during your stay.
Your base in Tuscany will be the Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa, a Small Leading Hotel of the world, located a stones-throw from the historic cities of Florence and Siena, surrounded by 700 acres of rolling Tuscan hills. A modern day luxury sanctuary, Castello del Nero is the first property in the region to offer you the absolute latest in modern facilities while maintaining the atmosphere of its historic surrounds. The grandeur of the past is still much in evidence with the magnificent frescoes, family crests and vaulted ceilings throughout the hotel. This unique property offers the ideal location for any Tuscan experience.

Who'll enjoy this trip

“People with a lot of heart and passion, and obviously those who enjoy their food and wine. Being a great cook is not a pre-requisite, but ideally they do need to be people who enjoy food and want to embrace a fun, indulgent and hedonistic experience - in the culinary sense at least - and who are willing to totally immerse themselves in the moment.
" I’m looking forward to having a fantastic time with interesting people and providing them with a snapshot into the history of the Grossi family and how we got to where we are today.” - Guy Grossi

Detailed Itinerary

Monday, 21 May 2012  - Arrive Rome

Ciao Roma! A warm A&K welcome to the ‘Eternal City’ and private transfer to your hotel, where your Abercrombie & Kent Tour Director will be waiting to welcome you. Hotel: St Regis Rome

Tuesday, 22 May 2012  Rome

This morning at 8am, some of the group will join Guy on a visit to the Campo di Fiori market to purchase produce for this evening’s dinner.

On return from the market, the whole group will be met by the local English-speaking guide and vehicle for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of the Vatican City. Created as a result of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 between Pope Pius XI and the Italian government, the Vatican is the smallest independent state.  Explore the Vatican’s treasures including the Sistine Chapel with its famous frescoes by Michelangelo. Visit St. Peter's Basilica, the dominant structure of the Vatican that was erected on order by Constantine, over the tomb of the crucified St. Peter.  The present structure is mostly from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, formed under the hands of masters such as Michelangelo, and the inside is an elaborate and detailed display of marble, mosaic, gilt and bronze.

Early this evening, some of the group will be transferred to the dinner venue to assist Guy with preparation for the welcome event. The remainder will be transferred to the venue in time for dinner. This evening enjoy Guy’s welcome dinner at Vives Agriturismo (B,D).

Hotel: St Regis Rome

Wednesday, 23 May 2012  Rome - Tavarnelle

After an early breakfast, you will be met by your Tour Director for a transfer to your hotel in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Tuscany. Depart at 7.45am and the journey takes approximately 3-3½ hours.

On arrival at your hotel, Guy and some of the group will visit the nearby Barberino Val d’Elsa market to purchase produce for lunch the following day.

This evening’s dinner will be in the hotel restaurant. La Torre restaurant features Italian and Tuscan cuisine and everything from pasta to bread to pastries is rigorously home-made. Located in what was once the stables, restaurant La Torre offers a perfect setting for a real Tuscan food and wine experience. Created around local ingredients and high quality organically grown products a tempting assortment of home-made culinary delights is produced by the Chef and his team (B,D).

Hotel: Castello del Nero

Thursday, 24 May 2012  Tavarnelle

Today lunch will be served at Poggio al Chiuso, a traditional Tuscan farmhouse located in the heart of Chianti.

This morning, some of the group will transfer to the farmhouse to assist Guy with food preparation. The rest of the group will be transferred to the venue in time for Guy’s lunch.

After the meal you will be transferred back to the hotel and the remainder of the day will be at leisure (B,L).
Hotel: Castello del Nero

Friday, 25 May 2012  Tavarnelle

Today is a full day exploring the beautiful Chianti countryside, accompanied by Guy. Visit some of the lovely hilltop towns such as Greve and Castellina and enjoy wine tastings at local vineyards.

Renowned for its art, history and evocative landscapes, Tuscany is a region where the past and present merge in pleasant harmony. Hill-towns gaze across the countryside many encircled by Etruscan walls and slender cypress trees.  Among the vineyards and olive groves, there are hamlets and farmhouses, as well as fortified villas and castles that symbolize the violence and inter-communal strife that tore Tuscany apart in the Middle Ages (B).
Hotel: Castello del Nero

Saturday, 26 May 2012 Tavarnelle(Florence)

This morning you will travel to Florence, and enjoy a morning walking tour with your local English-speaking guide. Your tour will include a visit to the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Florence’s most famous landmark, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, home of Michelangelo's David. You will also visit San Lorenzo Church and chapels, once the parish church of the Medici’s, and where most of the family is buried.

Today’s lunch is at leisure in Florence.

After lunch meet up with your Tour Director, who will then accompany you on foot to the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in the centre of Florence.

This afternoon you will have a three-hour demonstration masterclass led by your Chef Guy Grossi.

Upon completion of the lesson you will be transferred back to your hotel (B).

Hotel: Castello del Nero

Sunday, 27 May 2012  Tavarnelle (Siena)

This morning at 8am, some of the group will join Guy on a visit to the Panzano market to purchase produce for this evening’s dinner.

On return, the whole group will be transferred to Siena for lunch at leisure.

Following lunch you will meet your local English-speaking guide for a 3-hour walking tour of the town. Siena was built on three hills and is enclosed by a set of walls and gates.  Visit the Piazza del Campo, one of the finest main squares in Italy. See the Palazzo Pubblico which has served as Siena's Town Hall since the 1300s and visit Siena's Duomo considered to be one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy, with unforgettable frescoes in the Piccolomini Library.

Following the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

This evening dinner will be served at Agriturismo Paneretta. Looking at its structure it is still easy to identify all the traces of its origin: a 15th century small fortress. This farm has been producing wine and olive oil for 400 hundred years. The wine-cellar has been opened since 1596 and can be visited. The villa is family owned and offers a warm and cosy environment.

Some of the group will be transferred to the agriturismo early to assist Guy with the food preparation. The remainder of the group will be transferred to the venue in time for the farewell dinner cooked by Guy.

After the meal you will be transferred back to the hotel (B,D).

Hotel: Castello del Nero

Monday, 28 May 2012 Depart Florence

Arrivederci Italia. Transfer by private vehicle to Florence airport for your departure flight (B). 

 

About Your Host

Guy Grossi is a leading Australian chef, presenter and food and media personality. He is the owner and head chef of Grossi Restaurants including esteemed international and Australian restaurants: Melbourne’s iconic Grossi Florentino, the colourful Mirka at Tolarno Hotel in St Kilda, Grossi Trattoria, Bangkok and Merchant Osteria Veneta located at Rialto Collins Street.

Guy is frequently sought out to present his love and expertise in Italian culture and hospitality both in corporate settings and across many media platforms including international and national television and radio.

Just recently Guy starred as Australia's Iron Chef alongside chefs Neil Perry and Guillame Brahimi. He has appeared on Australia’s most popular lifestyle and current affair programs including Postcards, Getaway, Neighbours, My Kitchen Rules, Masterchef, A Current Affair, The Morning Show, Fresh, Sunrise, The Circle and The Today Show. Guy joins Maeve O’Mara as a co-host with Italian Food Safari on SBS One this year and has also graced American television screens, on CBS in New York and Good Day Philadelphia.

Guy features weekly in the Sunday Herald Sun providing Victorians with simple, tasty recipes for the home cook. Hi radio appearances include Melbourne Talk Radio, 774 ABC Radio and with Grubby and Dee Dee on GOLD104.3 as well as on rural radio programs.

He is also called upon as an industry spokesman for a range of events. Guy is a national judge of the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence awards and The Age Good Food Guide Young Chef awards. He is a dedicated Patron of Hospitality,Employment and Training (HEAT) program and is Victoria’s first Skills Ambassador; organisations which like Guy, believe in engaging youth through skills training.

A champion of presenting ‘la cucina Italiana’ in Australia, Guy was awarded the prestigious L’insegna Del Ristorante Italiano, by the president of Italy in 1996.

With his unique vibrancy and insight into food and culture, Guy is often involved in promoting tourism and hospitality. The reinstatement of the 2010 Moomba Parade saw Guy as a chef representing the ‘Melbourne is Food and Wine float’.

Guy has been the ‘face of food’ with the L’Orèal Mebourne Fashion Festival for the past three consecutive years; a fitting title as Grossi Restaurants continues to pioneer marriage between food and fashion with staff dressed by designers Leona Edmiston and Ted Baker.

Guy and Grossi Florentino are also an integral part of the Melbourne Cup and Spring Racing carnival with iconic events such as Cup Eve Luncheon and the Cup Farwell dinner hosted at the Restaurant. In 2010 Guy Grossi celebrates the Melbourne Cup’s 150th anniversary as Tour Ambassador where he has travelled internationally with the cup, its first stop being Tokyo. Guy also designed menus for the gala dinners held worldwide. Back home in Melbourne, Grossi Florentino welcomed VRC members to six specialised events during the year.

In January 2011 Guy joined leading Australian personalities at G’Day USA 2011 as Australian food ambassador, selected by the Australian government Guy prepared and presented at the AAA black-tie gala dinner in honour of Anthony Pratt at Cipriani, New York and hosted the “Victoria Taste IT” event held in San Francisco to promote our regional produce to export markets.

In December 2010 Guy was selected as Victoria’s best to prepare the Farwell dinner for the Victorian component of the Oprah Tour.

Guy has also been engaged by the Victorian Government as Victoria's face of food and wine during the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The expo expected to attract a record 70 million people. Guy designed menus for a series of prestigious dinners held in Guangzhou, Beijing and in the Australian Pavillion during Victoria Week, which ran from 17-21 May. Guy, a passionate advocate for Victoria's culinary pedigree  highlighted the state's premium produce to a global stage through cooking demonstrations for Chinese delegates.

Within the same year, during Melbourne's 175th year celebrations, Guy was recognised as a finalist for his individual contribution in raising Melbourne's profile and continues to do so with vigour.

In 2010 we also saw Guy take to the stage in his own highly acclaimed production, "In The Raw Dinner and Live Show with Guy Grossi and Luke Mangan". Guy shared the set with long-time friend Luke to deliver this cabaret-style show in Melbourne.

In addition to making corporate appearances, Guy acts as consultant on various projects and developments. In 2010 Guy worked with renowned developers Bayside Project Management and cutting-edge architects Hecker Phelan & Guthrie to design 10 sophisticated kitchen spaces within Flora Apartments in Brighton.

This Grossi experience has been extended into the home through Guy’s premium quality product range, available at Grossi Restaurants and specific Essential Ingredient stores. His hand-crafted range will include: extra virgin olive oil, grissini, antipasto, passata, verjuice, red wine vinegar, panforte and a variety of pastas just to name a few.

Guy is also a committed philanthropist with particular consideration for sustainable practices and social responsibility. He dedicated much of his time to work with selected charities. These include: Hospitality Employment and Training (HEAT), Australian Marine Conservation Society, Starlight Children's Foundation, Ovarian Cancer and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Guy, an avid supporter of the Royal Children’s Hospital was invited to attend the 2010 televised event which raised a record $14.462 million for the medical and clinical care of our children.

The year also saw legendary performer Jerry Lewis personally invite Guy to design a menu for his highly publicised Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising dinner event, of which Guy was instrumental in raising awareness and funds.

Other events which Guy has designed menus for this year include: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces luncheon, the Committee for Melbourne's 25th Annual Dinner, themed 'Melbourne After Dark' and the canonisation of Mary MacKillop in Sydney.

Guy is also the author of two exquisitely presented cookbooks: Guy Grossi ~ my Italian heart and Grossi Florentino ~ Secrets & Recipes, which won the Australian Food Media Book of the Year Award in 2004. Guy is currently writing two new books, due for release in the next two years.

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