I am a young Chef who recently graduated from Culinary school. I will be traveling to Europe for the last three weeks of January.I was wanting any food related recomendations of things to do. I will be traveling to Italy, as far south as Florence, France, Beligum, Netherlands, Germany and, Switzerland. Any info on markets,stores, culinary supply stores, restaurants etc... would be greatly appreciated. <BR>One other thing I plan on proposing to my girlfriend where would be the most romantic place to do this. <BR>Thanks <BR>Rodney

Rodney, <BR> <BR>Congratulations - - not only on your graduation, but also on your plans for your proposal. <BR> <BR>Three weeks is too little time to see six destinations without being superficial somewhere. At the risk of offeding "Dutch lovers", Netherlands does not leap to my mind as a culinary mecca. An evening at rijstafel is worth experiencing once - - and of course there are the various cheeses (but then, you ARE going to France!) <BR> <BR>Belgium is a paradise for cooks and eaters alike - - and Bruges or ghent either one would be great places to celebrate your proposing. I particularly recommend Hotel Erasmus in Ghent. <BR> <BR>France is such a collection of different paradises for foodies. A leading possibility to concentrate your time would be Burgundy - - Beaune, Dijon, Lyon, Bresse, for example. I can also recommend Chateau Longsard - - http://www.chateauxandcountry.com/chateaux/longsard (or any of a number of other properties on this website) as a fun and affordable place, right in the heart of the Beaujolais - - owners Olivier and his American wife Alex(andra) can definitely steer you in the direction of some great food. <BR> <BR>But France is so much more - - if you want a Mediterranean taste or Germanic, or coastal - - or you name it, you can find it in France. <BR> <BR>Germany is also many countries in one, from a culinary standpoint; and the southwest (Black Forest) will fit best, geographically with a "swing" through the low countries and east/central France. The Hotel Tonbach/Traube and Schloss Neuweier are great restaurant destinations in the Black Forest. <BR> <BR>Switzerland? cooking? I am not the right person to wave the banner for Switzerland - - especially for cuisine. Since you are going in January, it might be more challenging to go through the heart of Switzerland to get south. From Lyon, you are not far from Geneva, and one of my favorite hotel/restaurants (which is ALMOST in France) is in Satigny - - one of the few wonderful, yet affordable places to stay in the Geneva area - - Domaine du Chateauvieux. <BR> <BR>And last of all, Italy!! oh my god - - you need three YEARS for Italy. There are no "wrong turns" in Italy for food-lovers, so go wherever fits best with your general itinerary. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Hi Rodney <BR>Could you narrow things down a little? <BR>Which cities will you be visiting besides Florence? Will you be driving or training or flying? What kind of budget do you prefer for dining? Will you be prepared to ship things home? As you know, kitchen items can be quite heavy. <BR>Here are just a couple of Florence shopping suggestions <BR>Alessandro Bizzarri - Via Della Condotta 32r (Centro Storico) Closed Saturday afternoon, Sunday, and lunch. Spices and essences <BR>Migliori - via dei Benci, 39 (Santa Croce) closed Sunday. Terra cotta and ceramics <BR>Ceramiche Arte Creta, Via del Proconsolo, 63r. Hand painted ceramics. <BR>Ceramiche Italiane, via dei Bardi 72. Next to Ponte Vecchio. ceramics <BR>Maggazino Toscano, via dei Magazzini 2-4. just off Piazza Signoria, near the Uffizi. Kitchenware, ceramics, olive oils, honey, wine. <BR>

Rodney-that is great! What Culinary school did you graduate from-my son just graduated from the Culinary Institute in NY ... Those sure are a lot of places and a lot of things to do in 3 weeks-how long will you be in each area? Do you have info already from school on markets, and supply stores, so we don't just repeat ourselves? Do let us know-

There have been two threads on this forum recently about Rungis the wholesale food market on the outskirts of Paris (the Paris market that was previously at Les Halles). It seems like the quintessential food experience for an aspiring chef. You might also arrange a one day cooking lesson with a great European cook like Lorenzo d'Medici in her villa in Italy or a food shopping tour that I believe Patricia Wells periodically does in Paris or something similar with Marcella, Victor Hazan or their son if you're to be in Venice. On the thread asking for suggestions of travel books that are not guidebooks, I suggested "Food and Friends, a chef's journey through France and Italy" The author Serge Dansereau is an established chef with his own restaurant and so had access to people that might be difficult to consult with for a person who is just starting out, but read the book (it's available in paperback) and it may give you some ideas.

Julie, its years now that the Hazan's left Venice for Sarasota Florida.....no more cooking classes with them <BR>I did hear that there may be a new cooking school opening up in Venice by chefs of local Osterias and Trattorias. Will let you know if I hear anything about it. <BR>Susan.

I graduated fron the Art Institute of Dallas. Most of the teachers were little help to me. I do still need to talk to one French Chef at school but he is not teaching this quarter so I am going to have to track him down. I am not going to have time to do much but I figure I will have about 4 days in each country. I am still researching what to do. We will be traveling by train. I figure I will have about $2000 after plane ticket, train ticket and hotels. So some what of a tight budget. In Italy I know we are going to go to Florence, she has friends there, I would like to see Venice. In France, Paris, mabey a one day class at Le Cordon Bleu, Champange region...? Beligum, Brussels, Gent and Hoegaarden to find two of my favorite brews...? Amsterdam for fun. Germany, Hamburg my mom has a friend of a friend who owns a restaurant, Munich...? Switzerland, Somewhere to ski for a day or two, Montreaux my girlfriend goes to the Gillion Hotel School. This is a short list of what I want to do so far. <BR>Is it easy to ship stuff from the different countries to the US. Any other suggestions of romantic places to propose. <BR>Thanks again <BR>Rodney

"Italy for the gourment traveler"by Fred Plotlin is packed with lots info about restaurants, food fairs,markets and food supply stores.

OK, let's take a look at this. Three weeks? Let's assume 20 days, allowing for the trip over and back.<BR><BR>Florence<BR>Venice<BR>Paris <BR>Champagne region<BR>Brussells<BR>Ghent<BR>Hoegaarden <BR>Hamburg <BR>Munich...? <BR>Switzerland <BR>Somewhere to ski for a day or two<BR>Montreaux <BR><BR>By my count, that's 12 destinations. It's a great wish list, but a lousy itinerary, in that you'll be likely only to see the countries whiz by on the train. Please reconsider and prioritize your list, choosing three or four destinations to savor. You don't have to see everything on your first trip. Propose wherever you find a magical spot along the way, just slow down a bit to enjoy it!<BR>