DC Couple Starts Cooking School in Tuscany

    WASHINGTON, DC, February 12, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Washington insider, lobbyist and local business man, George Meyers and his wife Linda have opened a cooking school in Tuscany, specializing in regional food with an unusual benefit-the classes are taught by local "Nonnas" (grandmothers). The concept allows for the student to become immersed in the culture, and not only receive firsthand instruction, but sample the lifestyle of these locals, the cuisine and wine. Rather than it being a formal, sterile opportunity, meals are enjoyed with other culinary travelers, students and instructors. Off hours are spent roaming local shops and markets, wine cellars and vineyards, and becoming a part of the local landscape. "Instead of being a part of a 'cooking school'-you're a part of a family," says Linda. "My favorite part of traveling was never playing the tourist role-it was always being able to blend in with the locals, learning about how they live, and imagining what a day to day experience is like."

The village of Montefollonico is at the heart of this experience. Nestled in the hills of the Tuscan countryside, this 700 resident village is paved with medieval stone-lined streets, bustling markets and surrounded by bucolic vineyards. People are friendly, excited for the opportunity of sharing a part of their culture with visitors and eager to make them feel welcome. The Meyers' live in Montefollonico for part of the year, while also maintaining a residence in the DC metro area, where George owns a widely respected consulting group specializing in federal business development, and Linda retired from a local elementary school where she was a first grade teacher.

"We are so very excited about the opportunity-we have been doing this privately for years and thought that we can do this better and in a more cost effective manner, allowing people who have never thought about being able to afford something like this to enjoy a week of cooking with the 'real experts' in local and regional food, local women, in the heart of Tuscany," said Meyers. Recently, the school was covered in USA Today as a "Bucket List Cooking Classes Around the World". http://www.cookintuscany.com

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