Our Pick Of Cooking & Cocktail Masterclasses
Top Picks
Looking to enhance your stay in a delicious way? Sip and savour some of these fantastic culinary and mixology experiences this Autumn, and take your senses on a tantalising journey. During these uncertain times, there’ll be no better way to relax by surrounding yourself with delicious food and cocktails…
Hailed for its therapeutic qualities and a way to help deactivate stressers, take a break to escape to some of our HIP-est hotels and treat yourself to an evening of culinary flavour and luxury. From traditional Indonesian cooking in Bali, to magnificent mixology classes atop a tower in Florence, explore the true meaning of flavour.
Mixology Masterclass with Hotel Savoy
For a true feeling of European elegance, discover the magnificent Hotel Savoy. Forming part of the Rocco Forte collection, experience a fantastic mixology masterclass in the heart of Florence. From the delicious ‘Scent of a Woman’ cocktail, to the ‘Martini Grand Prix’, choose your flavour from Irene’s Bar and follow the recipes and tips from the talented bartenders in one of their private suites. Using only the best seasonal, raw and zero kilometre ingredients, there’s no better place to indulge in a fantastic selection of cocktails than here.
These masterclasses are held in the afternoon and are available for a maximum of 2 adults at a time. After your private mixology masterclass, settle into an intimate area of Irene’s Bar or in the privacy of your suite to truly tantalise your tastebuds with your very own personal Italian “aperitivo”.
For more information and bookings, please contact concierge by calling +39 055 2735836 or email concierge.savoy@roccofortehotels.com.
Where: Hotel Savoy - Florence, Italy
Price: €50 per person per lesson
Please note: Advance booking required.
Traditional Indonesian Cooking with Hotel Tugu Bali
Renowned for its peaceful temples, blissful beaches, colonial cities and jaw-dropping jungles, Indonesia is a country rich in history, art, culture and magnificent traditions. The food here is a true fusion of the Asian influences surrounding the islands, and is a real celebration of wealth. Move away from the mundane day-to-day schedule for a while and escape to the charming Hotel Tugu Bali, where not only your tastebuds will be blown away by a magnificent array of flavours, but all your senses will truly feel at one with the outstanding natural surroundings.
Introducing a unique hands-on kitchen experience, join in with the Tugu Bali cooking class where you will learn all about centuries-old traditions in Indonesian gastronomy, specifically in Javanese and Balinese cuisine from the hotel chef. Embrace the authentic and native cooking techniques used when working with certain ingredients, indulge in the beautiful yet simple way of fine Indonesian dining, and be at one with the exotic richness of this wonderful culture. It’s not only a learning experience, it’s also a true delight for your senses.
For more information, please click here.
Where: Hotel Tugu Bali – Bali, Indonesia
Cocktail Class with Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1
This Autumn, the exclusive boutique hotel of Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1 is offering a fantastic cocktail class for those eager to learn mixology in depth. Hidden away in the historical centre of Florence, this medieval tower dating back to the year 1200, is the perfect place to truly indulge in a day filled with cocktails!
The ‘Mixology Techniques’ class will take you through everything you need to know about cocktails and the art of being a fantastic bartender. You will prepare a selection of cocktails including the famous Aperol Spritz, the iconic Negroni and the hotel’s signature cocktail, ‘Sunset’, created by inhouse bartender, Ranjula Wickrama, in 2017. Not only will you extend your knowledge on cocktails, but you will also receive a diploma and a book filled with the drinks recipes and instruments needed to create these fantastic cocktails for your friends and family. If you’re looking to make these from home, discover the typical Tuscan drink recipe, the Negroni, below.
For more information, please click here.
“Supposedly invented in Florence in 1919 at Caffè Casoni. It is said that Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to strengthen his favorite cocktail. His regular Americano was suddenly transformed by adding gin rather than the normal soda water. To help differentiate between the old and new, the bartender also added an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano.”
NEGRONI
Ingredients:
-20ml of Gin
-20ml of Sweet Vermouth
-20ml of Campari
-1 fresh orange peel
Preparation:
-Fill a short rocks glass with ice and then layer up the three components
-Stir with a straw or bar spoon
-Garnish with an orange peel or add a slice of orange if you would like a more distinct citrus note.
-Enjoy!
Tuscan Cooking with La Bandita Townhouse
If you’re looking to indulge in true Tuscan flavours whilst admiring the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you, look no further than La Bandita. Stay in the charming townhouse located in the humble village of Pienza, then escape to their gorgeous 8-bedroom luxury country house located within the UNESCO site of Val d’Orcia for the perfect taste of Tuscany.
Here, they offer a wonderful private cooking experience for 1-2 people with the magnificent in-house Chef Dario. Starting by making your very own fresh bread and pasta, it’ll not only be a delight for your tastebuds, but just imagine the smell of homemade fresh bread… wonderful! Once the bread and pasta are ready, you will then follow by creating a couple of main courses that will be featured in the set dinner menu for that evening (specific dish details given on the day). Once your dishes are set, you can sit down and enjoy these tasty Tuscan meals you have carefully curated throughout the day, and pair it with some delicious local wines.
Where: La Bandita Countryhouse - Tuscany, Italy
Price: €150 per couple
Length: 2-3 Hours in the Afternoon
For more information, please email info@la-bandita.com
Private Cocktail Classes at Hotel de Russie
Nestled in the heart of Rome, discover the perfect Roman escape at Hotel de Russie. Another fantastic part of the Rocco Forte collection, with views overlooking the enchanting Piazza del Popolo, uncover their Stravinskij Bar courtyard terrace at the foot of the hotel’s secret garden and learn how to make one of their stellar cocktails. From the signature ‘Stravinskij Spritzes’ to the delicious artisanal martinis, allow the inhouse master mixologists to let you in on their fantastic cocktail-making secrets in time for aperitivo hour!
Stravinskij Bar is a true delight. Surrounded by lush trees, glittering fountains and gorgeous botanicals, join Hotel de Russie this Autumn for an unforgettable evening of serene splendour. Watch the city lights soften, breathe in that luscious scent of citrus and pine that gently fills the air and extend your knowledge of mixology with their private cocktail classes.
For more information, please contact the hotel directly.
Where: Hotel de Russie – Rome, Italy
Please note: Cocktail classes are only available upon request.
A Journey To Gastronomy at Alila Villas Uluwatu
What better place to indulge in the authentic taste of Bali than at the magnificent Alila Villas Uluwatu? Renowned for its awe-inspiring panoramic plateau set above limestone cliffs and its sweeping ocean vistas, be taken on a tantalising journey to Bali at this fantastic cooking class. You will be introduced to anything from local ingredients and basic recipes, to local booking methods and organic gardening.
This half day cooking class will be split into four different sections. You will first start off by visiting the Jimbaran fish market in the morning with the local chef, discovering all the fresh ingredients for you to use during the class. Secondly, you’ll pick some additional ingredients from Alila’s very own organic garden and learn all about their spectacular sustainability programmes. Once you have all your ingredients ready, the local chef will teach you all the crucial Balinese cooking techniques whilst you prepare these authentic local dishes. Finally, you can relax and enjoy the delicious selection of dishes you’ve created throughout this class!
Where: Alila Villas Uluwatu – Bali, Indonesia
Price: IDR 1,200,000 ++/ per person
Length: Half day
