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Executive Chef Simon Smotkowicz

The Ultimate Cooking & Wellness

Escorted Tour to Florence ~ Gubbio ~ Assisi ~ Rome

About Simon Smotkowicz

International World Champion (1992-1997, 2001) 8 Gold Metals

Executive Chef Simon Smotkowicz Graduating from the Toulouse Hotel School in France in 1968, Simon worked in the industry for a number of years including running his own restaurant for a time. While vacationing in Toronto in 1975, he learned of a cousin in Edmonton who needed a chef for his restaurant in a newly-built performing arts theatre. And so began Simon's culinary career in Canada.

Over the next 13 years, Simon gained further experience at the Edmonton Plaza, the Four Seasons Edmonton as well as Delta Hotels in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal.

In 1988, the Edmonton Convention Centre (now the Shaw Conference Centre) approached the highly-recommended Simon to become Executive Chef. Accepting the offer, he has called Edmonton home ever since. Holding to his philosophy that "eating is a discovery" to be explored through creative experimentation with textures and flavours, Simon has established a professional reputation of excellence for both his culinary and leadership skills.

Itinerary

Day One: Escorted departure with overnight flight to Florence for Italy’s Renaissance wonder

Day Two: Arrival Florence airport. Transfer to your deluxe accommodation, Grotta Giusti in the Montecatini. Relax and enjoy welcome dinner.

Grotta Giusti is a prestigious spa resort, Wellness and Golf Centre. - A few Kilometres from Florence, Lucca and Pisa. www.grottagiustispa.com

Day Three: Meet Chef Giuseppe Mazzocchi and with the two Chefs’ explore the market of Monsummano purchase ingredients you will cook with.
There will be an introduction and first cooking lesson on appetizers and soups, followed by lunch. Afternoon is time to relax and enjoy the spa, golf or explore.

Day Four: Full Day Excursion in Tuscany’s Montalcino countryside. There will be a wine tour visiting Donatella Cinelli’s wineries. Visit the cellars and vineyards followed by a delicious country lunch at Fattoria di Trequanda. Afternoon wine tasting at Casato Prime Donne will be followed by food shopping. Return to your hotel, evening at leisure.

Day Five: After breakfast you will enjoy your 2nd cooking lesson with Guest Chef Simon lunch to follow. Afternoon and evening to enjoy the Spa or discover more of Tuscany.

Day Six: After breakfast you will enjoy your 3rd cooking lesson. Chef Giuseppe will share his culinary secrets on fresh pasta and sauces. Lunch to follow with an afternoon excursion to Florence. Meet your guide and tour of this renaissance city which includes a visit to the Academia that hosts the famous David by Michelangelo. Evening at leisure.

Day Seven: In the morning enjoy a 4th cooking lesson with Chef Simon – lunch to follow. After lunch, there will be an excursion to S. Gimignano or Lucca. A late afternoon return to hotel for farewell dinner.

Day Eight: Early departure for Gubbio. Check in at hotel Relais Ducale, an exclusive Relais in Gubbio – Umbria. www.mencarelligroup.com
Afternoon cooking lesson “cooking with truffles” followed by dinner at exclusive restaurant in Gubbio.

Day Nine: Morning departure for Assisi. Visiting Assisi on your own and enjoy a wonderful relaxing chocolate massage and chocolate tasting.

Day Ten: Early transfer to Rome and check in at the exclusive Rose Garden Palace, at few steps from Via Veneto. Lunch is at leisure. Afternoon city tour visiting Rome’s main sites: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps etc. The tour ends at Trastevere for your farewell dinner. Return to your hotel and overnight (taxi is not included).

Day Eleven: Time to say farewell to romantic Italy and to new friends. Transfer to airport for your return flight home.

Inquire for option to extend your stay.

Program Features:

Return Economy Class Flight with Lufthansa Airlines from Edmonton
Tuscany: Six nights accommodation in Charme based on double including breakfast at ****Grotta Giusti, Monsummano Terme
Umbria: One night accommodation in DLX double including breakfast at ****Relais Ducale Gubbio
Assisi one night accommodation in suite double including breakfast ***** San Crispino Historical Residence
Rome: One night superior double including breakfast at **** Rose Garden Palace.
Two hands on cooking lessons with Chef Giuseppe Mazzocchi followed by lunch/dinner with beverages
Two Hands on cooking lesson with Chef Simon Smotkowicz followed by lunch/ dinner with beverages
1 x cooking lesson in Gubbio followed by dinner – including beverages.
Market tour – 2 hours with chef Mazzocchi
Half Day city tour of Florence – with English speaking guide with admission to the Academia
Half Day city tour of S. Gimignano or Lucca - with English speaking guide
Assisi Chocolate Massage Therapy and chocolate tasting.
Half Day city tour of Rome - English speaking guide
Wine Tour at Donatella Cinelli’s with country lunch – Not guides as upon arrival group will be met by winery staff and assisted throughout the day.

Dinners & Lunches:

Welcome dinner & farewell dinner @ Grotta Giusti – Beverages included
Lunches and dinners to follow each cooking lesson (tot. 5)
Farewell dinner at Trattoria in Trastevere – Rome
Free use of thermal waterfall pool, gym and walk through the park with personal trainer @ Grotta Giusti – and 50% discount for the natural grotto (Turkish bath)
Transfers as per itinerary.

Not included:

Items not listed above and of Personal
Lunches and dinners not listed in program
Assistance of guide on personal excursions and outings
Spa and Golf at Grotta Giusti
Gratuities for drivers and guides
Airline Departure Taxes