388749 Thu Apr 05 12:58:58 -0700 2007 4 29 Not About Food 0 2454455 I'm a foodie/hobby chef and my mom is one of those classic cook types who is not flashy but can make just about anything tase great. To celebrate her birthday I would like to take her on some sort of cooking vacation. I'm not really restrained by geography as this is a BIG birthday for her. I have heard some good things about these types of cooking vacations in Tuscany and France but would welcome any comments/recommendations. Thu Apr 05 12:58:58 -0700 2007 88091 chateauneuf 1 2477336 I would recommend a Oaxacan trip with Susana of Seasons of My Heart http://www.seasonsofmyheart.com/schedule.html She is knowledgeable, the food is wonderful, the area is so interesting, and prices are low down there. I just took a one-day seminar with her (you meet in the morning, spend half a day at the market tasting regional foods, then cook in the afternoon and dine as the sun sets...beautiful) but would love to get back for a week sometime. Fri Apr 13 07:54:23 -0700 2007 2454455 13564 Snackish 1 2478049 Unfortunately I cannot remember the name and my computer crashed a few months ago so my faves were lost but... there is a week long cooking vacation in Tuscany. The name is almost called "cooking in Tuscany". It is fairly expensive but you stay in a lovely b & b type place, cook with local chefs and go to vineyards and markets, olive/cheese tasting, etc. Does anyone know the name of this? I will google and do some searching and see if I can find it. I heard it was fabulous! Fri Apr 13 11:16:17 -0700 2007 2454455 11633 Michele4466 1 2480104 Susan Herman Loomis runs week-long and day-classes at her cooking school in Tuscany and in Patricia Wells' studio in Paris. Here's the website... http://www.onruetatin.com/page.php?id=98 Sat Apr 14 05:32:09 -0700 2007 2454455 10787 Deenso 1 2480443 From today's NYTs http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/travel/15cooking.html?th&emc=th Sat Apr 14 09:00:04 -0700 2007 2454455 36661 Sam Fujisaka