information about
Chef Paolo Monti's Culinary schools
Italy tel+39-338-6718641 fax+39-0187-790661
About the Culinary Classes
Hotels & Travel Tips
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in Portovenere |
in sicilian Wine Country |
Trekking & Cooking |
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A
delicious and cooking tour
in the Sicilian wine country
Greek temples, folklore
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Italian Gourmet's Dishes
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Read the poem 
September 1999 |
  This
is what they said about Chef Paolo Monti's Cooking Class:
The Cyber Gourmet About the 1997-1998 series on PBS and Discovery Channel " Life on the Internet" Chef Paolo Monti started in the food business as a waiter twenty-some years ago and has worked all over the place; in the Middle East, Greece, Germany, England. In the early '90s(late 80's) he spent three years running an Italian restaurant in Florida. But Paulo has come back to Italy, to the Grand Hotel Portovenere, and who could blame him? The Italian Riviera, wonderful food, stunning vistas... can there possibly be more to Life on the Internet? La Fiamma Italian Newspaper from Sydney Australia:15 December 1994: “Una Cucina da Buongustai”.... |
Fax from 9 years old son of Roz B. after his Mum cooked new dishes for him!  |
Some of these graduates are available for references via email, please click here to obtain a reference
- September 2004 Pauline Knox: available for references more than we expected, it was a wonderful experience and we cannot wait to get home and commence cooking, thank you Paolo also for your company and attention to detail.
- June 2004 Ralph Kirkser: available for referencesOutstanding program, excellent teaching – entertaining (fully underood) no language barriers!
- May 2004 Chizuko H. Tazoe available for references I have been a poor cook but your classes have opened my eyes to fun of cooking, Your classes are fun and I would like to recommend Chef Monti’s classes to friends. Thank you fall your personalized attention.
June 2004 Susan Duffy available for references The Beautiful Hotel and its setting is an excellent start to the holiday. Paolo you made us alla welcome it was a pleasure to be taught by you… excellent program…with informative visits in the area. It was also enjoyable that you joined us for dinner, your sense of humor will not be forgotten…
October 2003 Debbie Wager:available for references
Excellent!! I loved it!!! Lessons Content, Teachers Explanations, taste of dishes, Presentation: Excellent I liked both mussel dishes, prawns with mint and basil, grilled salmon with lettuce sauce, minestrone, ravioli with spinach and ricotta filling.
October 2003 Catherine Martin :available for references
Excellent and fun way to learn about italian cooking, Paolo is a natural teacher + made the cooking look very easy. I feel I've learned a lot about all aspects of the italian cuisine
October 2003 Daryl Barrett: available for references
The wholeeExperience was beyond my expectations,. Paolo is a fantastic chef, teacher, storyteller and multitasker.
October 2003 Brown Janene
Everything was wonderful, your warmth and personal connection with your students made the course very enjoyable.
Suggestion: make the portion smaller -food was wonderful but too much.
October 2003 Gibbons Barbara available for references
Variety of recipes was wonderful, explanations easy to understand. You are extremely well organized and accomplished a lot. I was impressed with the large number of recipes we were able to make . Your sense of humor and quick wit added to the enjoyment of the class
September 2003 one day class Moldstad Marcia available for references
Excellent informative class
September 2003 two days class Diane M. Hedler
Enjoyed the class, Learned a lot from helping and observing, like the olive oil and balsamic vinegar explanation. Could the description also be a handout?
July 2003 Ellen Recko available for references
I liked Biscotti, pasta, soups steaks, sauces, wine and pizza. Paolo is knowledgebale, warm helpful gracious host, friendly, funny, high energy/standards etc + great variety + teaching of the basics so we can build upon them + wonderful location, comfortable + well equipped classroom, superb staff. - Maybe too many dishes - cut out one appetizer and pasta per day?
July 2003 Kathy McMahon available for references
I liked risotto, pasta, veal, seabass. Paolo you did a great job. made it fun and educational. Liked taking the side trips. It added a nice change and was interesting, staff was wonderful, friendly and helpful.
July 2003 Donna Recko available for references
I liked pesto, pizza and focaccia. Ejoyable and entertaining instructor! He made elegant dishes yet so simple to prepare. Basic ingredients and readily available in the 'States , external trips were and added treat and definite plus!
June 2003 Nicki Lobbavailable for references
All the dishes have all been absolutely deliscious, I never liked mussels until this week. I really liked the carpaccio di Salmone Marinato and Mozzarella di Bufala al frullato di pomodoro.
June 2003 Dennis Pankratz available for references
I absolutely enjoyes all recipes, particularly seafood and soups. The entire program is very well strumented, from lodging, tours, cooking and eating. There was also to do other things We feel we received the entire italian experience.
June 2003 one day course Margaret Phelan available for references
The Class was beyond expectations. We had a very fun time while learning to cook. Paolo is an excellent teacher. We enjoyed making the seafood salads as well the as many veal dishes. The strawberry dessert was delicious. Thank you very much for a great class.
May 2003 3 day course Brandi Duncan available for references
I had a great time, I wish I could stay for the whole course. Thank you very much.
May 2003 Elaine Calhoun available for references
Paolo is and enthusiastic, entertaining knowledgeable chef who made the class and the entire visit a real treat. The side trips to see the cheese and prosciutto were very interesting and the trips gave me a better idea of italian life...
May 2003 Gabrielle Hutchinson available for references
I had a great experience in your class Would definetely like to come back.
May 2003 One day class Dottie Faul available for references
Excellent course! very well done, Just the right mix if fun and information. Hope to return soon.Can't wait tot try out all my new Chef Paolo's teachings. I will never take italian cooking for granted again.
July 2001, Suzan P. Riverside CA. :available for references
Bravissimo! Paolo you and your lessons are the creme de la creme of gourmet cooking , the food and wine was divine, the knowledge enlightening, your teaching engaging, the atmosphere warm hearted and welcoming and your jokes hilarious- the only problem is now that I dont want to leave!....
July 2001, Eva H. Staten Island NY :available for references
The course far exceeded my expectations, Chef Paolo was very generous with his time, his food and his wine. Classes were both informative and fun, the excursions were great (the jokes weren't bad either!)
July 2001, Alexa H. Staten Island NY: available for references
Everything was well organized. It will be easy to reproduce all the dishes at home to impress the family. Paolo- you made this week extremely fun- everything I hoped it would be and more
July 2001, Lauren H. Staten Island NY : available for references
The choice of dishes gave me a good feel for a lot of different aspects of the italian cuisine . Paolo made the course very personal and even made me, a beginner cook, feel comfortable. This was a wonderful experience
May 2001, Sandy and Dennis H., from Moraga, CA.: available for references
I enjoyed the course very much. I appreciated the "logical" presentations...working from basic sauces to more complicated recipes. A good mix of class work and field trips to the wineries and olive presses. the selection of the recipes was excellent...a good cross-section of Italian Cuisine. The wines served with dinner were very nice. I felt I received eccellent quality of the program, the location, the hotel, (even the weather) for the money spent... My expaectations were exceeded, the class content, explanations and presentations were truly excellent...
May 2001, Roz B. from Cairns, Australia: available for references
Paolo Monti is an idisputable professional with a wealth of knowledge, that he can and willingly shares with his students. His sense of humor crosses all cultural boudaries & brings together a sense of warmth with a sense of family. Simplicity and elegance & a passion for great food, wine & friendship, Bravo Paolo!
fax sent by her 9 years old son Talon B.
Dear Palo, I think what you taught my mum was great she makes way yummier food than she used to and this time I'm sure that I won’t get poisoned. Is it ok for you to give me a free lesson so that I can cook like my mum? And how do you make that pasta? And make sure that the lesson is in Italia (so I can see the Porsche’s and Ferrari's) Yours sìncerely. Talon Bishop - see the fax .
May 2001, Margaret L., Beltsville MD:
I didn't know what to expect, but this week has been better than anything I could have imagined, the daily lesson sheets are perfect to help remeber the dishes. Chef Paolo is truly an artist - the flavors are perfectly balanced and the presentation of the dishes is exquisite... I would recommend this to anyone as a memorable way to spend a vacation.
May 2001, Ada R., Silver Springs, MD:available for references
The course was comprehensive, the lesson progressions were well thought out and the first lesson provided the basis for all subsequent lessons...field trips informative...written material was of high quality and was a good supplement to the verbal cooking instructions.
April 2001, Michelle and Michel M. Washington DC and San Diego CA:available for references
Michael: I feel that I have learned a number of foundational aspects of good healthy cooking that I will use for the next 60+ years Michelle: Wow! it was like visiting my long lost uncle who spared no expense at showing me the best of Italy both in and out of the kitchen. thanks for a wonderful, magical trip.
April 2001, James R. Wyomissing PA :
Paolo's commitment to teaching was exceptional. Very willing to answer a wide range of questions, well planned - good balance of kitchen work & field trips - Fabulous food.
April 2001, Ann & Ron S. Seattle WA:available for references
Ann:This opportunity exceeded my expectations in every way. The recipes and instruction were stupendous; the venue fabulous, the company- including the star, Chef and Master Host Paolo Monti - was a benefit not even anticipated, but most was marvellous mix of all things that made a most memorable week. Thank you. Ron: The class, the food, the jokes and the field trips exceeded my expectations for a wonderful vacation and learning experience, I hope to come back and take another class with friends...
October 22, 2000 Anjali K. Seattle WA:
Thanks Paolo! the most fabulous time. I was very impressed w/the amount organization that went into the course and very impressed with the attentiveness of the staff. You took great care of us and made it an experience to remember
October 22, 2000 Jennifer H. Sydney Australia:
A wonderfully informative, well organized and estreemely fun course. I would highly recommend to all my friends
October 22, 2000 Sharon G. Greenwwich CT: The best food I've ever eaten!
*October 8, 2000 Chrissie W. Baton Rouge LA:
Paolo is the Best! Great preparation, presentation. We have taken cooking (lessons) for 25 years in the US with the "best" but Paolo was better than the best! Great staff wonderful recipes.
- Johanna Minogue, Caterer, Sydney, Australia:
I enjoyed the course, it was most inspiring. I will recommend it to
my colleagues, we were taught many fresh new recipes that I will use in
my work.
- Tina Daferner, housewife, Germany : Benissimo:
Ich war begeistert von diesem Angebot, von dem immensen Engagements signor
Monti’s, von der vielfalt und Raffinesse der italienische Kueche!
- Elsi Burkhard, Switzerland: I
found the lessons very interesting, especially antipasti and pastas. ...I’ll
try to make gnocchi al curry e petto di pollo.
- Jenny Sarre, Australia: Very
informative and enjoyable. Taught me a lot, Atmosphere of the class made
it cozy and homely, with lots of fun. As one who does not cook dessert
I will be preparing lots of the ones taught!
- Lisa Woodland, Australia:Very
professional and well organized. Good selection of recipes, Recipes were
well explained, enjoyed participating in the cooking...Good to see the
products used in the cooking i.e. the visual display around the room ...
Friendly atmosphere
- Kathleen Breen, Australia: I
had fantastic time exploring the delights of Italian Cuisine in a relaxed
and humorous atmosphere, the course was professionally presented and delivered
in a fun manner... I was especially appreciative of the “ Special Guests”
and the tour of the vignard.. congratulations to Paolo on the many fine
jokes! And belissimo food!
Poem from mother and daughter Susanne and Marikka Malm - September 1999
There was a Chef Paolo in Portovenere
whose cucina "had a sumptuously full itinerary"
exciting
to see each how dish would unfold
as
oil from the olive drizzled on bold!
So
near to the "Golfo dei Poeti"
we
learned "Al dente" spaghetti
Wild
herbs, Porcini, dolci and pasta
consumed
with abandon 'til we had to say Basta!
Then
slowly climbing the stairs, up to our beds
while
visions of "besciamella" danced in our heads .
Up
again with the dawn, new dishes to make gnocchi, farro, pesce and patate
to bake.
Carpaccio,
risotto, mozzarella so fresh
we
clamoured to learn, lest there be a test.
Our
week now is ending, it's been really great!
We
gained so much knowledge and also some weight!
So
grazie Chef Paolo, you helped light the lamp
we
will always remember "Cucina Boot Camp"