When we asked a few friends that had been to the Amalfi Coast what they wish they would have done while on their honeymoon in Italy, attending Mamma Agata's Cooking School came up a few times. Mr. Beau and I both love to cook and what a better thing to do then cook Italian food in Italy, by the ocean, with wine, in the sunshine, all day, OK! So we booked our spot and only a one and half drive from our hotel we woke up early and drove to Ravello. Mamma Agata's Cooking Class was truly one of the most memorable days ever! 
The drive to Ravello is certainly a curvy one, but once you arrive it is absolutely STUNNING. The small Italian town is perched on the cliffs looking over the ocean and finding Mamma Agata's was pretty easy. Pretty much everyone in town knows Mamma Agata's and was so friendly to point us in the right direction. Down a small old street, a lady popped her head out of the doorway and knew we were part of class, she so kindly welcomed us into the magical spot that was behind the street, the 250 year old home, farm and cooking school of Mamma Agata.
We were greeted with homemade lemon cake and cappuccinos, not a bad way to start the day, could this be every morning? Class runs from 10:00am - 4:00pm, and it was full of relaxing, eating and learning about basic Italian cooking. After watching what I ate so close to the wedding, it was amazing to indulge in a full day of fresh and delicious Italian food! Do not eat a big breakfast, come prepared, ready to eat!
The view from Mamma Agata's kitchen is AMAZING, right? I do not think I would ever leave the kitchen with a view like this!
Mamma Agata herself cooks in the morning session of the class. Mamma has cooked for Jackie Kennedy, Fred Astaire, Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, among many other Hollywood stars. It was lovely to learn some little tricks about Italian cooking that I never knew. Eggplant Parmesan, use skinny Japanese eggplant and squeeezzzzze the water out, a lot! We didn't physically cook as much as watch, listen, taste and enjoy, and you know what, that was just perfect!
Chiara, Mamma Agata's daughter runs the day and she is just such a delight. Such a lady full of energy and passion about what they do. Chiara runs the course while her mom cooks in the morning and her husband cooks in the afternoon. It was so nice to hear speak of Italian food and the simple ways to make things with so much passion.
The eggplant Parmesan was seriously ridiculous amazing. The tomato sauce, so simple, full of tomatoes from their garden and the freshest tasting sauce I've ever had.
Between courses we wandered through their gardens, yes, with a glass of wine in hand. The family makes all their own wine, olive oil, grows their own vegetables, fruit, being positioned on a cliff side 100 feet above sea level, it was amazing to see everything that was there.
The ingredients for zucchini flower and proscuitto beignets. These little balls of love were so delicious! The perfect addition to a cocktail party, who wants to come over for Italian food soon?
I knew I would love Chiara when I found out she met Martha Stewart and Martha was in love with her lemon cake!
Homemade Limoncello topped off our day of indulging and learning, it was so perfect!
I would highly recommend attending Mamma Agata's class, it was a splurge for sure, but when I say I will never forget the day, it is so true! The view, the food, the people, all of it was lovely. If I could have dinner every evening at Mamma Agata's terrace, I think I would!
xoxo - Becca
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