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05/24/2002 Archived Entry: "Cook At Seliano"

Dear Friends,

After so many requests for me to take a small group to Italy – apart from WOR cruises – I have come up with the following plan for cooking, eating, and touring in Naples, Salerno, and at the agriturismo of my dear friend Baronessa Cecilia Bellelli Baratta.

Actually, Cecilia has two agriturismi, which are working farms that take in guests. Tenuta Seliano grows various vegetables, has olive trees whose fruit is pressed for oil, and breeds and houses horses used for riding and jumping. Masseria Eliseo, across the road, is where Cecilia’s herd of water buffalo are housed. Of course the bufala milk is used to make mozzarella and ricotta.

Cecilia operates both farms with her sons Ettore and Massimino. The farms are in Paestum, on the Sele Plain, a short drive south of the Amalfi Coast and Salerno. This fertile land is at sea level, which is why the Allies thought the “beaches of Salerno” were a good place to land at the end of World War II, and why mud-loving buffalo thrive there. This is the land of mozzarella di bufala. If there is one thing I can guarantee you, it’s that you will be eating plenty of this unique cheese in its prime. I dare say, you will become an expert on mozzarella.

Click here to see what Cecilia’s Tenuta Seliano looks like.

All of the rooms on both farms are very comfortable, decorated with vintage furniture and with private, modern bathrooms. We will be spending time at both places. The cooking will be in the brand new kitchen of Eliseo. Tenuta Seliano has a gorgeous and large swimming pool.

The farms are just down the road from the famous ancient Greek temples of Paestum, which are considered some of the most perfectly preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. Of course, we will visit them with a knowledgeable guide.

We have planned five full days (six nights), asking you to arrive for a welcome reception on Sunday night, August 25, the day before we start class. We’ll send you off (perhaps to touring more of Italy on your own) the following Saturday morning, August 31, after breakfast.

The program is this:

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we will stay on and near the farms, with half-day cooking classes and half day excursions and some rest time. All meals, on the farm and in restaurants, are included in the price. On Tuesday and Thursday we will take full-day tours of Naples (about an hour away), and Salerno and the top of the Amalfi Coast (about 20 minutes away). The group is limited to 14 people.

The cost, including everything except air fare, is $2,900, double occupancy, with a $300 supplement for singles. Following is our itinerary.

If you have questions, or would like to book a place, please e-mail me at CookAtSeliano@aol.com. A 50 percent deposit is required, with checks made out to Tenuta Seliano. Hope to see you in Paestum.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
Rooms are ready at noon (Please notify us if arriving for lunch. We can provide a
light lunch at no extra charge.)
Afternoon: Free time (pool and horseback riding available)
7:00 p.m.: Welcome reception and dinner prepared by Tenuta Seliano

MONDAY, AUGUST 26
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
9:30 a.m.: COOKING CLASS
12:30 p.m.: Lunch (prepared in class)
3:00 p.m.: Visit Greek Temples of Paestum and Temples Museum
7:30 p.m.: Dinner: Local Restaurant

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
9:00 a.m.: FULL DAY TOURING IN NAPLES
Bus orientation to city (photo opportunity in Posillipo)
Market visit
Walk through Spaccanapoli, the old city, visiting churches, the majolica cloister of Santa Chiara, etc. with stop for sfogliatelle at Pasticceria Scaturcchio
Grand Lunch: Ciró a Mergellina
Shopping walk through the Chiaia area (chic shops) or visit to Capodimonte Museum, or National Archaeological Museum
8:30 p.m. Light Dinner

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
9:00 a.m.: Visit Caseficio to see mozzarella and ricotta being made, visit buffalo
farm and vegetable market
1:00 p.m.: Luncheon tasting of cheeses and dairy products, etc., at Masseria
Eliseo
3:00 p.m.: Free Time
5:00 p.m.: COOKING CLASS
8:00 p.m.: Dinner (prepared in class) and tasting of local wines

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
FULL DAY TOURING IN SALERNO AND VIETRI SUL MARE
Cathedral and Crypt of San Matteo
Pasticceria Pantaleone for pastry snack
Via Mercanti, the shopping street, and old streets of Salerno
Lunch: Salerno Yacht Club
Visit Vietri sul Mare for pottery shopping and Amalfi Coast view
Aperitivi at a private home or club
Dinner in old Salerno: Pizzeria Vicolo della Neve (not just pizza)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
9:30 a.m.: COOKING CLASS
12:30 p.m.: Lunch (prepared in class)
2:30 p.m.: Free Time (Optional visit to local pottery stores)
7:00 p.m.: Farewell Reception (meal prepared by Seliano/Eliseo staff)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
Departure by noon