{Cooking Class with Lady Chef Maria from Ristorante da Maria}

FINALLY I got admitted to one of Maria's sought after cooking classes. One cannot book soon enough, as they are sold out each and every time. Well, that's NO wonder considering the excellent Lady Chef, Maria Runggaldier is, at her authentic Italian Ristorante da Maria (←click it) in the heart of Georgia. So on Wednesday evening I had the honor to watch this elegant Lady Chef and Friend with a group of participants at her cooking class. There were several male participants who joined their wives at Maria's Italian Cooking Class. And why not?! Each one of us got the printed booklet with recipes to take home + valuable notes in addition to that.

Lady Chef Maria is a very talented and charming lady!

Those of you who have not yet tasted her scrumptious dishes have been missing out on quite an experience! She's by far the best Chef in the whole region!

Maria also is a dear friend. Having lived and worked only two hours away from where she's from, in northern Italy, kind of bonded us. And, we both LOVE her food...

Maria did prepare very well for this class.

 Fresh Sage and Basil waiting to be used...

First dish: Little Summer Lasagnette wih tomato, mozzarella and basil pesto

Lasagnette d'estate con pomodori, mozzarella a pesto al basilico

Entrée: 'Saltimbocca' of Veal or Chicken

Saltimbocca di vitello o pollo

Side dishes: 'Peperonata' stewed peppers

Peperonata

Butter-herb Potatoes

Patate al burro ed erbe

Dessert: Chocolate and Strawberry Parfait

Parfait al cioccolato e fragole

Watching Maria prepare the dessert and making notes of all the Chef's secrets, she expertly did pass on.

For me, and for all participants (she only can take up to 10) this unique experience taught us more than a handful of valuable little secrets, that nowhere can be found in any cook book. Very professional and quite entertaining, she captivated our attention during the entire class. Her assistent worked alongside and at all times the kitchen was kept looking neat. 

We were all very impressed, also about the calm and highly professional approach.

The lasagna sheets and fresh made pesto and tomato sauce is being assembled with the mozzarella for the Little Summer Lasagnette.

Maria's hands move very swift and it's hard to capture it on camera...

Here the chicken breasts have been butterflied and prepared with the Prosciutto cotto and sage leaves for the 'Saltimbocca'

 Same procedure now for the Veal Top Round Scaloppini

The Summer Lasagnette is ready to be cut...

 Above is our first dish!

Entrée... Yummy tasting!

A view across our long table with fine table linens, to make it into a very festive Wednesday evening dinner.

Chocolate and strawberry parfait to finish this memorable class.
To anyone who is living in the area I can only highly reccommend to attend, as it is amazing what all you learn about creating a healthy and scrumptious meal yourself with confidence!

Maria's next cooking class is on Wednesday, April 27th...

Related link:

5 FIERCE FEMALE GEORGIA CHEFS YOU SHOULD KNOW | as published in EXPLORE GEORGIA in July 2019