Giuliano Hazan Italian Cooking Class for the Traveling Chef

There’s no shortage of good restaurant options in the Sarasota area. From fresh seafood to a savory grill or the local produce stand, there’s something for everyone.

However, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous for your dinner date, you’re in luck. Staying at a Siesta Key condo rental, you’re in a world-renowned Italian chef’s backyard!

That chef is none other than Giuliano Hazan. His passion for sharing his knowledge and techniques really shines through the cooking classes he hosts regularly from his Sarasota home. Over the course of a few hours (and a few meals), you’re bound to have great food, good company and lots of learning.

pasta from scratch
Photo from Pixabay

Who is Guiliano Hazan?

A lifelong pupil of the culinary arts (and theater), Guiliano has been teaching for decades. In his youth, he started working at his mother’s cooking school in Italy. Hazan has written many cookbooks since 1993. Some of these have become international bestsellers. Many of them focus on Italian home-style cooking – especially pasta – and lessons from his mother’s kitchen.

Giuliano has also hosted the Cooking with Giuliano Hazan School. Students from around the world each year flock to stunning villas in the Italian provinces of Veneto and Tuscany for an in-depth lesson in history, culture, food, and wine!

His cooking style is modest but elegant, reflecting the traditions of his northern Italian upbringing. He prefers to let the colors and flavors of his food speak for themselves without adding excessive garnish. By carefully choosing the right ingredients in the right combinations, he strives to get the most out of simple, down-to-earth recipes.

Guiliano Hazan in Sarasota

plate of risotto

For his Sarasota classes, Giuliano and his wife Lael will invite you into their home and provide all the hospitality they can. Their passion for food and teaching are apparent from the get-go. Giuliano tailors his approach to his guests and makes sure their needs are met. As with any great chef, he breaks down his process by trying to connect with the people in his kitchen.

There are four dates left for these classes in 2019 between August 17 and November 16. The cost ranges from $150-$175 per person depending on the time of day for the class. Classes do sell out, so you won’t want to miss getting a spot! You can also buy a voucher if you’re not sure when you want to go or want to gift a class to someone.

Classes are four hours long, with as many courses in the meal. Come hungry: throughout your stay, the Hazans will serve various cheeses, cured meats such as prosciutto, and freshly baked bread. These apps will come with the right paired wine and amazing olive oil which you can buy to take home. Though the menu is always varied, typical Giuliano Hazan recipes include various risottos, fish and gelato or fruit cakes.

While the food is, of course, the central focus, the social aspect of the class is very strong too. Hazan’s classes are fun, informative and hands-on. You will get to help prepare the meals you will all eat together. There are lots of tips and tricks for the kitchen to take away, and stories to share. The setting is vibrant but informal, and guests always remark that it feels like a family.

Plan Your Next Trip

Make Giuliano Hazan’s cooking classes part of your journey while you stay at one of our Siesta Key beachfront condos. Not only will you take home lots of great memories, but the knowledge you can use in the kitchen for years to come.

Planning a Visit to Sarasota

Whether you’re passionate about food or just want to try something new, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity! It’s just another of the many unique attractions in the Sarasota area.

While you’re exploring the wildlife, beaches, art, and food around Sarasota, you might want to have a quiet base camp to come back to. Siesta Key offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist arteries of the area. It’s very close to both the city and the soft white sand Gulf Coast beaches.