Testimonials

Most recent reviews:

Name: Emma Seymour

From: Dubai, U.A.E.

“Amazing”
Reviewed 4 December 2011

Maria's Cookery school was a fantastic experience. After being collected from Venice we spent the morning cooking with the Countessa and her band of fab Italian ladies - my husband's pasta making was 'perfecto' apparently! We learnt how to cook Aubergine Parmigana, Tirasmisu, Chicken with sage, spinach and ricotto ravolli - it was so much fun! After lunch washed down with some Italian wines we enjoyed a cheese and wine tasting session with the resident Sommelier and went back to Venice thoroughly satiated and proud of our cooking skills! The grounds of the Castilla are AMAZING and I would heartily recommend this experience!

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Name: Susan Williams

From: Fullerton, California

“Quiet and peaceful countryside visit--excellent”
Reviewed 31 October 2011

Our 8 day visit was quiet and peaceful in this lovely country spot. The old agricultural buildings were beautifully restored into a lovely villa and apartments. We stayed in the main building and enjoyed the atmosphere of this special place. Owner Maria's cooking school gave us time in the kitchen with other day visitors from Venice and a delicious meal. Riccardo, who helps keep things running smoothly was available each day for advice and help on our daily excursion plans. On the nights that the villa was not serving dinner, he helped us with dinner reservations and reccomendations on a local cafe. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. It was a lovely spot and although it was colder weather during our stay, I can imagine that summer with drinks outside under the long veranda and lounging by the beautiful pool would be a real treat.

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Name: Linda Reed

From: Houston, Texas

“An enjoyable day in the country cooking with Maria and group”
Reviewed 30 September 2011

My husband and I were staying in Venice and he accompanied me as I took the one-day cooking class. We took the train from Venice to Rovigio - it took about an hour (with one train change in Meste). It was delightful to see the countryside around Venice. We were met at the train and taken to TENUTA CASTEL VENEZZE where we were greeted by Maria and her staff. I was joined by two other Americans who wanted to learn about true Italian cooking. It was an excellent course. They gave us opportunities to have hands-on experience. They also demonstrated how to make ravioli and tortellini and let us experience how to cut, roll and go through steps of making this from scratch. Now I just have to remember everything at home away from Maria. She sent us electronic copies of the recipes that were waiting for me when I got home. We made 5 courses and all were items we could realistically make at hoem. I have already done Pizza Margherita for my husband who joined us for lunch. That was his request when we got home. I highly recommend the course if you enjoy cooking and learning new techniques. If you are staying in Venice for a few days - it is well worth your time to venture away from the city and experience life around Venice.
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Name: K. Hale

From: Canada

“I'm still full!”
Reviewed 15 August 2011
As a gift to my mom for her 60th birthday, and as a way for us to spend some much needed mother/daughter time together, my mom and I attended Maria's Course in May. We stayed at Maria's beautiful Tenuta Castel Venezze, and did the 4-day cooking class, which is really 4 nights of accommodation and 3 days of cooking, plus a visit to a winery and a local salami factory.

We made all kinds of pasta from scratch, ravioli, tortellini, & lasagna, we made gnocchi, and risotto... we made rabbit, and chicken, and saltimbocca... and well the list goes on. It was all so wonderful and Maria and her staff (including Mario, the sommelier) are great.

The atmosphere of Tenuta Castel Venezze is casual and relaxed. The grounds are beautiful and although it's large it feels as if you're staying in someone's home. There were only a few other guest there at the time (we were the only ones participating in the cooking classes), and it was nice share our days efforts in the kitchen with the other guests at dinner each night.

By the end of the third day I was so full, I hardly needed to eat anything for the rest of our trip!

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to learn about authentic and traditional Italian cooking.

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Name: J. Wiley

From: Richland, USA

“Great instruction, friendly and helpful staff, delicious results”
Reviewed 2 July 2011

There were 6 of us: 3 adults, 3 teenaged boys. It was great in that Maria and her staff knew how to keep the different levels of experience occupied and engaged. I would not recommend this for children under 12 because the kitchen can be crowded and there's lots of hot surfaces/pans. The staff was patient, good humored, and very helpful. No matter what level of skill you have in the kitchen, there is something to learn. And then we get to eat the results! It was a highlight of our trip.

Visited June 2011

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Name: A.Beraskow.

From: Ottawa, Canada
Message: Outstanding Cooking Lesson

Recently 8 friends and I took a one day cooking lesson in the Venice (Italy) area. The session was simply outstanding. Maria (Contessa Maria Giustiniani) along with her 3 assistants, working in a professional kitchen, had developed a very extensive menu. We all participated, moving from workstation to workstation on a rotation basis, learning the subtleties as we kneaded pasta, made “bread” other contorni (vegetables), and 2 desserts.
Her approach was highly effective as we worked with real cooks, who were experienced in traditional Italian cooking. We were able to ask questions and get forthright answers (no pretence).
Following the 4 hour lesson we all sat down to a marvellous lunch, set in an outstanding location – an old villa, full of charm. Contessa Maria was amazing: patrician in form but very down to earth in delivery.
In addition she had a sommelier present a series of wines throughout our lunch. The sommelier was very knowledgeable about wines. (No wines were offered or promoted for subsequent purchase).
The session was the best we had (of 5 during 4 weeks stay in Italy). It was very informative – a wonderful learning experience - as it was fun, all made better by the location and the Contessa’a charm and grace.

City: Ottawa  Country: Canada Date: April, 2011

Name: Calvin Greenbaum. E-mail:

From: U.S.A.
Message: BRAVA MARIA !

Everything about our stay at Maria's Tenuta Casale Venezze was perfect. The welcoming hospitality, comfortable accomodations, and last but not least the memorable food and wine experience. All were superb. I heartily recommend Maria's Cookery Course to anyone with a love of food, wine and travel. Brava Maria!

City: Great Neck  Country: U.S.A. Date: May 12, 2011

Name: Carlos Canel, Sweden. E-mail:

Very nice hotel , ideal fo rest and in the middle of a beatifull nature.
excellent food and very nice people in all levels of the staff

City: Täby  Country: Sweden Date: Sept. 28, 2010

*****

From: Georgia, U.S.A.
E-mail: Info

Message:

Maria is quite the lady of the castle. She made every aspect of this experience one we will treasure as the Highlight of our glorious trip through Italy. One year later, I am still dreaming about being there

City: Flowery Branch, Georgia  Country: U.S.A. Date: Sept. 21, 2010