Our spring Gourmet Getaways exclusive tour began in Sorrento. We stayed at the Excelsior Victoria Hotel, which is my favorite hotel. It is surrounded by lemon and orange trees and lush gardens.
After everyone checked into the hotel and unloaded their luggage we gathered by the pool as I had made arrangements for us to have a pizza making class with the chef at the hotel. We were all given chef’s hats and aprons and we were ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
As we approached the outdoor kitchen there was the wood-burning oven, which had been burning logs for at least 2 hours so that the temperature would be at least 900 degrees!
First the chef instructed us on how to prepare the dough using yeast, water, flour and a little bit of sugar. After a 3-hour rise it is ready for us to shape the dough, add the sauce and cheeses and some olive oil.
Very simple ingredients. Using a pizza peel the pizza was headed for the oven where it only took 2 –3 minutes to cook. Each was dressed with a little basil and then it was ready for us to eat! Everyone had the chance to make his or her own pizza.
Each pizza was beautifully charred on the bottom and the dough was very tender. Of course it was the best pizza ever! Nothing like a simple Neapolitan pizza.
We all enjoyed eating our pizza and drinking wine and Pelligrino sitting among the lemon trees with the sun shining. A great start to a wonderful tour.
Later in the week after our exclusive dinner at the hotel, to which the chef prepared a special meal for my group, the manager and the chef presented everyone with a cooking certificate and the recipe.
Getting back to this hotel, let me say again that this hotel is my favorite. I have stayed here at least four times and each time my stay is enhanced and I can never tire of this magnificent hotel.
What makes this hotel so special is the manager Nicolino Grigio(pictured below) You can read more about the hotel by visiting John and Elana
