Host offerings
Vivi has a PhD in Natural Sciences and has incredible know-how on the functioning of biological systems in the fields of health and the environment. As a woman-of-the-earth, her heart is committed to doing things in a sustainable way and is known as an expert in the field of herbs. She grows her own herbs, fruits and vegetables and uses organic ingredients that nature provides us with. Vivi was raised in the Piemonte region, where she learned to cook northern Italian cuisine, and her mother who hails from Sicily taught her the flavors of the south. She has a special eye for identifying what the land can provide us, and Vivi will teach you to identify the things around you that provide you vitamins, and rich flavors in your diet. Everyone who cares about the earth and sustainable practices, should visit Vivi!
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal (1 - 4 guests) Vivi’s beautiful home is located on the hills of Piemonte, surrounded by vineyards and farms in every direction. Your experience will start with a welcome drink and an introduction to the location ‘la casa delle erbe’ - the house of herbs! Then walk around the house and the garden to collect ingredients that you will use in your cooking class - wild herbs and home grown vegetables. Later cook with the ingredients you foraged from the farm, before sitting at the dining table to enjoy a few dishes from Siciliano e Piemontese. Vivi teaches you how to start the consumption process while you're looking for the plants, breathing in their deep perfumes, then you chop them and chew them with attentiveness to enjoy the energy provided from the land. You will try a mix of rich salad greens foraged from Vivi's land along with a main dish.
Cooking experience (1 - 4 guests) Learn to cook northern Italian food during your Asti cooking class on Viviana's farm. You will have the opportunity to learn to cook herbs in the most appropriate way, highlighting their flavor and properties. Some herbs are good eaten raw, others boiled or simply cooked in a pan; it all depends on their taste (bitter or sweet) and consistency (tender or fibrous). You will also learn about the health benefits of all the ingredients used in the cooking process! This cooking class in Asti can be enjoyed by all - experienced or novice cooks, adults or children.
Market visit (1 - 4 guests) You will not be going to a local market, but will visit Vivi's sustainable farm and forage for ingredients for your meal together with her. This will be an hour and half-long tour, where Vivi will show you her chickens, wild plants, vegetable gardens and fruit trees - hazelnut, cherry, apricot etc. She will introduce you to all the sustainable practices she employs on the farm, like enriching the soil through replanting. You will also learn how she creates a healthy ecosystem that fosters growth. Then you will forage wild herbs and vegetables, as Vivi explains the properties and traditional uses of the plants you encounter. By the end of the tour you will learn a lot about wild herbs and how to forage them. Vivi will teach you to easily recognize wild herbs, using all five senses.
Notes: Please note that it is a little bit chilly in Vivi's house, but a warm sweater does the trick! Also, the bathroom is upstairs, so it's important for anyone who goes on this experience to be able to climb a flight of stairs. And as you'll be foraging wild herbs and vegetable on the farm, it is preferable if you wear comfortable shoes.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffb0c4803c8>
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Vivi! She's a bright light of sunshine and has incredible energy. She is a free spirit who is generous in sharing. Her smile and enthusiasm are infectious and her passion for the earth's natural systems gets you thinking in a whole different way about agriculture. Vivi generously shares her passion and knowledge. She helps you to appreciate the power and health in the land. She teaches you the importance of the steps, of textures and colors, and helps you to slow down and chew every mouthful. Not only is her food delicious, but it has a magical aura to it. From the tea and cookies that she welcomes you with, the fresh eggs that we picked from under her hens, the delicious risotto filled with so many delicious vitamins! We learned so much, had a blast getting to know Vivi and enjoyed the flavors of the earth with her. Thanks for teaching us to listen to the land and to our bodies a little bit more.
Alex and Mike, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | $94 | $76 | Not offered |
| Alcohol | $4 per person | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | 9:30am - 02:30pm | 3:00pm - 08:00pm |
Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.
