Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino: gourmet travel

"I introduce epicure, food-minded travelers to the city's myriad dining options.
On a full stomach."

AGLIO, OLIO e PEPERONCINO CULINARY ADVENTURES

There's no better way of understanding the true essence of a place other than through its traditional food. Learn and discover the joys of authentic cucina romana, the city's gastronomic traditions and local specialty foods with me.

I am a local Roman gourmand and home cook specialized in culinary travel, with enthusiastic dining knowledge, a network of trusted local purveyors, first-hand personal experience and a sincere passion for the Italian food culture and lifestyle.

Let's walk through Rome's pulsating historic center, tasting typical Italian delicacies in neighborhood mom & pop stores, as well as in high-end epicurean boutiques, learning about artisan specialties, local customs, traditional holiday foods, gastronomy folklore, and off-the-tourist map secrets.

· Street Food

If your idea of delving into a culture is to tune into the city's most cherished food traditions, this is the walk for you. Our leisurely stroll and sample tastings include tavola calda fare, portable goodies, fried treats, espresso, pizza, plus artisan pastries, gelato and grattachecca.

· Testaccio Neighborhood

In Rome's hip Testaccio neighborhood lies a veritable food mecca. Our neighborhood stroll is an immersion in Roman culinary tradition. We visit the ex-slaughterhouse, a working class market with an unusually wide selection of edibles, taste goodies at local purveyors and small family-run establishments, and meet wonderful people along the way.

· Cheese and Wine Appreciation

Are you a wine and cheese lover? How about an evening's entertainment made out of all things moldy, crumbly and stinky, in the relaxed and informal atmosphere of a wine cellar? Here we can savor several wines, artisan cheeses and rare salumi, spanning varieties, or focus on a single topic of your choice. The average tasting menu includes five different cheeses, four salumi and five wines.

· Lunch with a Local

A leisurely conversation with your host while savoring the components of a typical meal at favorite Roman restaurants whose top ingredients, knowledgeable chefs, and seasonal menu, best represent the traditional food of the Eternal City.

· Gelato Jaunt

During our comparative tour of Rome's best family-run, artisan gelaterie – where gelato is still made by hand using the freshest ingredients – we'll study the difference between industrial and hand-made gelato, training our eyes to differentiate ice cream pumped with air and chemical additives, as opposed to genuine gelato products and simpler procedures.

· Coffee Crawl

Between cups of different Arabica blend, and shots of energizing espresso, we'll discuss the history of coffee culture and its 16th century debut into Italian society. We'll learn different brewing techniques and implements, as well as benefit from a home stovetop moka tutorial. Depending on the time of day and weekly schedule, we'll have the unique opportunity to witness the roasting process, and knock back lots of ridiculously good caffé.

Ask how I can help you with:
· Restaurant reccommendations
· Privately chauffered limo service for excursions to nearby locations of interest, winery visits, food fairs and other gourmand events
· Cooking classes held in your holiday rental
· Personal shopper service in stores that specialize in gourmet foods, Italian cookware, kitchen utensils and tableware
· Chauffered or self-driven Vespa tours of the city

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Custom solutions may be designed to combine two or more itineraries in one day, according to your needs. For prices, availability, additional product information, and to BOOK YOUR
ADVENTURE, please SEND ME AN EMAIL!

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"For our day-long market and gourmet walk, we were lucky enough to be assisted by Eleonora Baldwin [...] We bonded with her immediately and she expertly guided us through Rome's most delicious addresses. She shared a wealth of information on a wide range of topics from Italian food to politics. Our day with her completely changed our experience in Rome and made us fall in love with the city in a way we hadn't thought we would, appreciating its flaws as much as its qualities. We were almost sad to part with her come 5 p.m. and we've kept in touch since then. If you go to Rome, don't hesitate to ask for Eleonora to be your guide, you won't be disappointed."

~Marie Asselin, Quebec City