TAX REFUND SALE

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

As you may know I have been leading culinary tours to Tuscany and Calabria in Italy for years. These small group fully escorted tours last for a week. We stay in one beautiful villa or hotel in the hills of Italy and our driver comes to pick us up daily so that we can visit places such as Lucca, San Gimingano, Siena and Chianti and much more in Tuscany.

Our visit to Calabria includes a day in the vineyards, visiting the ruins at Sibiari, a trip to the mountains and La Silla national park. Our last few days are spent on the lovely and famous Almafi Coast in a wonderful hotel in Positano with fabulous sea views.

Each tour offers so much more and I would like to suggest that you go to my web site at www.carmiescucina.com for the full itinerary.

Since it is tax time we have decided to hold a TAX REFUND SALE. Between now and April 21, 2012 we are offering a reduction of price for our tours. Each tour for a limited time will be priced at $3,195.00. To make a reservation or to discuss the tours please contact me at bchobbins@comcast.net I will be happy to tell you more about these wonderful tours.

I hope to see you soon at a cooking class, speaking engagement, book signing or in Italy.

Make every day a celebration.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

BLOG TALK RADIO INTERVIEW

GREETINGS FROM CARMELA'S CUCINA,

I just spent a delightful half hours speaking with Nadia Giordano on her talk show, "EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN, LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES."

She interviewed me about my culinary tours to Italy, my Italian cooking classes and my cook book, Carmela's Cucina.

To hear the interview go to www.nadiagiordana.com and scroll down until you see my interview. I hope you enjoy it.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

THE ITALIAN RIVIERA AT HOPKINS COMMUNITY EDUCATION

GREETINGS FROM CARMELA'S CUCINA,

The Cinque Terre is five hilltop towns connected by a footpath along the rocky coast of the breath-taking Italian Riviera. The seafood is abundant and the vegetables and fruits are all prize-winners. Imagine yourself at the famous hiking trail as you learn to create the wonderful dishes characteristic of the area.

We will make Portobello Mushroom Crostini, Creamy Pesto Pasta, Jumbo Shrimp Marinated with Olive Oil and Herbs and Torta di Limone, a lemon cake served with spring fruit and topped with a whipped cream flourish.

To register for this class go to www.hopkinscommunityed.org or phone 952-988-4070.

I hope to see you there.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

CULINARY TOUR DEADLINE EXTENDED

GREETINGS FROM CARMELA'S CUCINA,

The deadline for my culinary tours to Italy for this Fall has been extended to April 31, 2010.

If you are interested in food and wine and seeing the historical sites of Italy then this tour might be just for you. For all of the tour information go to www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours page. Then contact me to make your reservations.

Calabria: Sept. 4-11, 2010
Tuscany: Sept. 18-25 2010

Hope you will join me for an experience of a life time.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

CULINARY TOUR DEADLINE MARCH 31, 2010

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

Are you looking for a very exciting adventure in Italy in the near future? Why not join me for one of my culinary tours this fall. The focus is great food, wonderful wine and a ton of fun. Throw in a few cooking classes, fantastic sights wonderful villas and hotels to call home and it makes for a perfect vacation. And we take care of all of the details for you. All you have to do is show up.

For all of the details on my Tuscan and Calabrian tours just go to my website at www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours link. Then just contact me and reserve your spot. But don't wait too long the deadline for the tours is March31, 2010 to allow plenty of time for us to make our airline arrangements.

Calabria: Sept.4-11, 2010

Tuscany Sept. 18-25, 2010

buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

CARMELA ON SHOWCASE MINNESOTA

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

I am sorry that I have not written in such a long time. My Father was very ill and passed away on Feb. 17, 2010. I have been in Des Moines helping with his care and for his funeral. My Father was an amazing man, had a wonderful life and we were able to celebrate his life grandly. We will miss him everyday of our lives. I want to thank all of the many friends and family who have helped us through this difficult time.

Life goes on and Dad would want us to live life to the fullest. After taking some time to get back on my feet I am ready to take on the demands of my culinary business, Carmela's Cucina. Thank you for your patience and I hope to be able to write to you more frequently in the future.

One of the first things that I will be doing is appearing on SHOW CASE MINNESOTA on Tue. March 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. I will be demonstrating a Ricotta Pie (torta di ricotta) which is a special spring time luncheon item in Italy. It would be perfect for Easter Brunch. Please tune in and watch the show.

I will also be talking about my culinary tours to Italy this fall and about the information session that I will be holding on Sat. March 13, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to attend this session please phone me at 952-929-9583 or email me at bchobbins@comcast.net to make a reservation for this event.

I hope to see you soon.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins