Grocery shopping while on vacation? Why would I want to do that?

Judy Witts Francini

When on holiday, one of the last things one would want to do is something like grocery shopping. With the popularity of the “slow” movement, staying in one place and living like a local, going to the supermarket, shopping while trying to understand everything in a foreign language, instead of bopping around here and there, is of great interest to many. I, for one, agree.

However, when traveling slow is not an option, and negotiating the market and going to your vacation home to spend hours cooking, is not on your list of vacation highlights, you can still experience, and understand, the pull of this without it being such a daunting task. While there are many wonderful outdoor markets in every corner of Italy, should you happen to be in Florence, Italy, there is a way to spend a few hours and take home with you an unforgettable experience. Judy Witts Francini, an American who has lived in Italy since 1984, began “La Divina Cucina”, with one simple aim – to share her knowledge of Italian cuisine and culinary history with fellow food lovers who come to Florence. In her own words, “Let me show you the secrets of Italian cooking and a way of life that I've come to love. Come and enjoy Tuscany like the Tuscans.”

She will enthrall you as she takes you to the grand Florence outdoor/indoor market, and shows you just how simple it is to make amazing, delicious and tantalizing meals. You will feel as a native while she walks you through the market, giving you the knowledge you need to make those simple and true Italian dishes at home. You will get your hands in there along with her, meeting some of the farmers whose own hands brought you these ingredients, tasting and smelling the fresh produce.

In addition to Central Market tours, Judy offers simple afternoon-long cooking classes, the perfect way to spend a day of your time in Florence! There you will learn some of the secrets to the simple cooking, participating all the way with her. Afterwards, enjoy the fruits of your labor along with wonderful Tuscan wines.

(c) Judy Witts Francini

But don’t worry if you can’t remember everything, because you can find it all in her cookbook, Secrets from my Tuscan Kitchen©, which you can buy directly from her while you are with her, or can be ordered online at a later date.

For more information on Judy and her market offerings and classes, go to http://www.divinacucina.com.