Follow Me To Italy Podcasts

20 – My Secret Truffles

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:12 — 16.7MB)

Truffle dogs gently dig precious truffles from the Autumn earth. Over damp forests covered in fallen leaves, we follow our truffle dog as he leads us to yet another treasure. The experience of dog, man and nature in a hidden forest in the hills of Bologna is magical. And, the sent of these precious tubers, white truffles being most sought after and expensive, permeate the air. The walk, the outdoor air and the excitement of searching for truffles inspires a hearty appetite for a traditional lunch in our favorite trattoria with a full course Chef’s Tasting Menu with the protagonist of every course is the truffle.

19 – Dolce Natale

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:05 — 13.8MB)

Music in the kitchen, almonds toasting and a busy oven that is always baking – this is Marie Lucia’s recipe for biscotti pratesi.  Coming from a family of pastry makers in the sleepy town of Prata Sannita, she keeps her Italian heritage alive through cooking, baking, music and family. As she tells me about recipes from her grandmother’s cookbook, she takes a moment to rotate the pans of anisette biscotti that are baking in the oven. She is exquisite and dainty, and her dark brown eyes match her thick, brown hair. Marie Lucia, who’s named after her grandmother, is my mother.

18 – Cooking In The Seasons

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:56 — 18.2MB)

Join us in our garden and discover how Italians cook in the rhythm of the seasons from spring, summer, autumn and winter cherishing the bounties of the harvest. Italians know the natural way of living. Farmers also plant in the seasons following the full moon and tides.
Listen in and learn how.

17 – Amalfi Coast Lemons

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:36 — 10.6MB)

Sfusato lemons which grow on terraced land along the Amalfi Coast are the protagonist in cooking in this region. Discover their history, importance in cooking and secrets in the Mediterranean diet as you travel from Capri to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.

16 – A Postcard from Pompeii

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:25 — 21.4MB)

Pompeii laying in the shadows of Mount Vesuvius charms visitors from around the world. The Cathedral, set on the main piazza to the delicious Neapolitan food and wine, wows! The main pedestrian walkway and where locals stroll and socialize on caffe tables spilling onto the sidewalk, is a city steeped in Neapolitan tradition. Closely attached to the Vatican and home of where the rosary was first said, Pompeii is not to be missed on your Italian Cooking Vacations.

15 – Tre Sorelle Trattoria, Positano

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Nestled on the Spiaggia Grande, the main beach, in Positano, the Tre Sorelle restaurant has been dazzling guests since 1950 with the likes of John Steinbeck, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to Diego Maradona, Italy’s legendary soccer player. Join us at Tre Sorelle as we dine and speak with Luigi and Alfsono Piscane, owner of Tre Sorelle.

14 – A Sleepy Vineyard in the Hill – Reale Vineyard

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:50 — 8.1MB)

The Reale Vineyard, owned by a humble family of winemakers, is set in the hills above the Amalfi Coast. For generations the winemakers follow the old world method of growing and bottling awaard-winning wine.

13 – Montalcino, a Dreamy Hilltop Town in the Province of Siena

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:28 — 12.3MB)

Join as we visit Montalcino. Montalcino, a dreamy hilltop town once ruled by kings, queens, and noblemen, is a UNESCO Heritage Site in the province of Siena. Famous for its Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the small village, beckons wine enthusiasts from around the world. Follow us as we visit Montalcino and stroll through its cobblestone streets – no cars allowed – and to Piazza del Popolo, the main square and up into Palazzo dei Priori for a breathtaking view over the infinite Val d’Orcia. Discover the Fortress of Montalcino, the 14th century bastion and a shining palazzo of military architecture – now a fancy wine tasting room and shop. Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with artisan shops and wine bars owned by locals who are passionate to share their craft and where you can sip and swirl Vino Brunello di Montalcino and other precious wine of the region.

12 – It’s a Dream Place – Stories & Recipes of Food, Love and the Amalfi Coast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:46 — 17.2MB)

Elizabeth Berg, award-winning New York Times bestselling author says, “This is a dream cookbook. Who in the world wouldn’t want to try ‘Catch of the Day for a Beautiful Woman of the Sea?’ But in addition to being a cookbook, it’s a slice of life from the impossibly beautiful Amalfi Coast: how it looks, how it feels, how the interactions with the people there are so soulful and rewarding. It takes a particular kind of person to attract the kinds of magical stories Lauren Birmingham Piscitelli does. And it takes something more to get chefs to give up their recipes. Call this author not only a charming writer, but a sorceress whose company in these pages we are privileged to keep.”

Order here 

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10 – Dazzling Bologna

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:36 — 58.6MB)

Bologna’s piazza dazzles – it’s like stepping into an old-fashioned storybook filled with ancient palazzos and bell towers, cobblestone walkways while the scent of Bolognese lasagne is everywhere. Join Rino and Lauren as they travel through Bologna, share their knowledge on local cuisine, where to dine and shop and how to drive a Ferrari.

09 – The Geometry of Italian Pasta

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:23 — 14.1MB)

In Italy, there are over 1,500 pasta types, each one with its traditional sauce. Tune in and learn how Rino and Lauren mix, roll, prepare and teach you about the geometric shapes and sizes of Italian pasta!!!

08 – Michelin-Star Chefs Massimo Bottero and Karime Lopez Dazzles at Gucci L’Osteria in Florence

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:45 — 8.0MB)

Under the tutelage of Michelin-Star Chef Massimo Botturo, Chef Lopez is wowing guests from around the world with her delicate delicious creations.  Click to listen to our podcast.

07 – The Pope’s Pastry Chef

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:40 — 8.8MB)

The scene is delicious.  Creamy butter is scented with vanilla, then sugar is carefully whipped in a silver mixer.  As the butter transforms into a light and airy texture, a heavenly scent zests the air.  In the far corner, a pasticciere, pastry maker, donning a tall white chef’s hat carefully weighs out chopped candied orange that will be added to the batter.  Another baker lays out rows of brown paper baking liners that will soon cradle the delicate batter.  They’ll be baked into beautiful beauties called panettone, an Italian sweet bread.  Follow me to Italy as Chef Salvatore tells me his story on how he first started

06 – Cooking with Italy’s Famous Singing Butcher Dario Cecchini

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:03 — 12.9MB)

Rolling Tuscan hills, the scent of grapes permeating the air and the sleepy town of Panzano in Tuscany.  Meet world-famous Dario Cecchini in his butcher shop Antica Macelleria Cecchini as we travel to Tuscany.  A welcoming door is left open and the song Volare by Domenico Modugno plays on.  Inside, a small crowd has already gathered.

There’s a party atmosphere, everyone is sipping Chianti wine, and it’s only 10am on a Sunday morning.  Dario sings as he cuts the Chianina Bistecca, Tuscan steak!  Experience Tuscan food and wine of a lifetime!

05 – Experience La Dolce Vita, Fall In Love, Get Married!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:37 — 19.8MB)

As soon as you land in Roma Fiumicino Airport you can feel the vibe of La Dolce Vita – Passport control men who wink and make conversation and suntanned Italians sipping caffès at the bar exchanging conversations about anything.  Stay a while and fall in love or maybe even marry.

04 – Cross the Ponte Vecchio, Enjoy A Creamy Gelato & Discover The Enchanting Medici Family – Florence

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:44 — 10.7MB)

03 – Truffle Hunting In Emilia Romagna

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:49 — 9.9MB)

Tie on your aprons and pack your bags because we are going on a truffle hunt with Signor Alberto in the hills of Bologna!  Follow me to Italy and learn how!!!

02 – Cooking Vacations Ingredients To Success

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:29 — 9.6MB)

Love to cook?  Join us in our Italian kitchen and learn how to prepare antipasto, fresh pasta,
main courses and delicious desserts.  Cooking Vacations offers hands-on cooking classes and cultural tours in Italy’s 20 regions designed by Lauren.  earn to cook traditional Italian recipes with excellent Chefs, local expert cooks, Nonnas, pastry artisans, and bread and pizza makers.  Our Italian culinary holidays include market, vineyard and cultural landmark tours.  We are Italian and share our love for cooking in our culinary vacations with you.

01 – Falling In Love In Italy – Introduction

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:13 — 11.2MB)

In our first podcast, learn how Lauren moves to Positano in southern Italy, meets Rino – an Italian race car driver, falls in love and gets married in an Italian wedding gown.

Italy is a dream place!  The people, the food and lifestyle.  From its bustling caffès, lively piazzas, and colorful outdoor markets.  There’s Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Navona and the cerulean seas of the Amalfi Coast. Travel with your host, Lauren Birmingham Piscitelli, travel, learn how to cook, and maybe, even fall in love.

Subscribe to our Cooking Vacations podcast on ITunes/Apple Podcast and be sure to leave a 5 star, delicious review!