(No Longer Available) The Tuscan Table with Chef Sandy DiGiovanni

Each year, Florence comes alive with one of Italy’s biggest, most colorful traditional festivals honoring the birth of the Madonna - Festa della Rificolona -  the Festival of the Lanterns. 

History has it that hundreds of peasants and farmers made the long trek into the city to celebrate and bring their goods to market – cheese, honey, vegetables and hand-made items - where there are also street performers, music and of course delicious traditional cuisine.  

Many started their journey before the break of dawn and carried lanterns on the ends of sticks that twinkled across the dark night and swayed from side-to-side resembling swinging long-skirted women or “rificolona.” 

Today, children dressed in their Sunday best sing songs and carry paper rificolona to light up the streets of Florence. This amazing festival ends with a long and color-splashed procession from Piazza Santa Croce to Piazza Santissima Annunziata, which is led by the Cardinal. After a solemn address, the revelry goes on till the sun comes up. 

Let’s celebrate this tradition tonight in our kitchen with a very special dinner in honor of the Festa della Rificolona. 

Our menu will consist of an authentic 5-course Tuscan meal reminiscent of the festival fare prepared by our own Celebrity Chef Sandy DiGiovanni including Tuscan Panzanella Salad, Ribollita, Lemon Pine-Nut Taglietelle, Slow-Roasted Short Ribs Over Creamy Rosemary Polenta and a surprise Italian dessert that will make you cry for your Italian “uncle.”   And, oh yes, Chef Sandy’s Homemade Limoncello.  Beat that menu with a lantern, will ya? Italian wines will be paired as well, of course. 

Come experience the Festival of the Lanterns around our table!

Limited Hands On | Dinner & Italian Paired Wines
Fri 10/29/21    6:30-9:00 p.m.  

NOTE:  Unless otherwise noted, each evening class fee includes one glass of beer/wine with additional beverages available at a nominal cost. 

Our Flavorful Weekend Nights™ classes are just that, unique and tasty culinary experiences on weekend nights, most of which are hands-on! Movie, Schmovie... why not learn to cook with your friends, dates or your “luvva”? They are the perfect mix of culinary education and fun night out!

Flavorful Weekend Nights™ is a trademark and service mark of The Culinary Center of Kansas City®.

NOTE: For Onsite Classes, when you arrive, please check in with our Class Assistant who will give you information as to where you will be seated.  We will be arranging our classrooms to allow for social distancing. In order to comply with governmental orders and for the protection of our guests and staff, we ask that you wear a mask when here at The Culinary Center of Kansas City. If you are planning to sit next to someone else attending the class, we would suggest arriving at least 20 minutes prior to the start time of the class so that we can address that request.  Both students would need to be comfortable with the request to be seated together. Thank you!