Travel Notes
Cooking in Morocco!
Cooking in Morocco!
Mar 2014: For years, Jessica, Heidi, and I have been talking about learning to cook in Morocco; and finally, we went in January this year! It was a very special trip! Altogether there were seven of us – all women and all lovers of good food--who met in Paris for a couple of nights and then spent five days at a private villa outside Marrakesh. Even though it was the off-season and rather chilly, we had tons of fun seeing the countryside; going to the markets; and learning to cook in people’s homes. Here, for you are some of the things I learned.
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Now is the time to go to Burma (Myanmar)
Now is the time to go to Burma (Myanmar)
Dec 2012: The scenery is spectacular, the people are sweet; but, what about the food? the local food for travellers is just developing! I was very fortunate to go with my friends, Nina and Don, on a pretty standard two-week tour that Nina arranged. All I had to do was show up!
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Provence – Inspired Dinner Outdoors
Provence – Inspired Dinner Outdoors
Jul 2011: Let's pretend that it is the middle of summer and you would like to entertain guests in a casual manner outdoors on a warm summer evening! This is exactly what I did in the south of France for the week of June twenty-fifth for my 70th birthday. I am very fortunate that after almost 40 years of teaching cooking, I have lots of friends who want to help me celebrate my big birthdays in some romantic place. The truth is that I am very good at letting everyone else do the work. There are always people who are great at setting the table, organizing the cooking, and doing all the clean-up. And, I am really good at sitting around drinking rosè. Thank you everyone for a fabulous time!
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London Is Cool Too!
London Is Cool Too!
Dec 2010: We think we are so cool in the San Francisco Bay Area with our farmers markets, our private restaurants, our food trucks and food stalls; but I have to tell you London is cool too! I have just returned from a ten day eating and cooking vacation in the UK, and it was a blast!
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My Trip to Africa
My Trip to Africa
Mar 2010: When my friend, Carol, called to ask me to join her and a group of women on a safari in Tanzania in February, I had to say yes! She did, however, point out that this would be my first trip abroad that wasn’t food oriented. But, I didn’t care—it has always been a dream of mine to go to Africa!
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Signature Street Foods of Singapore
Signature Street Foods of Singapore
Feb 2010: Happy New Year and hello from Singapore! I made a move with my family to this lovely tropical city 6 months ago for a new adventure. It's been a great experience so far and we're loving exploring this part of the world. [The family photo is from my recent trip to Cambodia.] Farina Achuck Kingsley
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Tante Marie Goes to Thailand
Tante Marie Goes to Thailand
Mar 2009: What could be more fun than travelling with five of the Tante Marie teachers to Thailand to learn about the regional food? We met up at the fabulous Oriental Hotel in Bangkok and had a day or two to recover from the long flights and check out the local markets, palaces, and Jim Thompson's house. Frankly, having breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river and meeting other travelers from around the world is my idea of heaven. Everyone was just so happy to be there.
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Tante Marie in China
Tante Marie in China
Jun 2008: When my friend, Nina Simonds, of SPOONFULL OF GINGER fame, asked me if I would like to join her and her husband on a trip to China in April, I couldn’t say "no". What more could I ask for than to travel with a Mandarin-speaking expert on Chinese food and an authority on classic sports cars?
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Note from Frances’ Trip to Ireland
Note from Frances’ Trip to Ireland
Apr 2008: Frances Wilson, instructor of the Culinary Program returned to her native Ireland for a visit during March. She visited Ballymaloe Cooking School in east Cork as well as Cork City. She also spent time with her family in Dublin.
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Travel News From India
Travel News From India
Mar 2008: The food in Northern India is exciting! I was fortunate enough to take a two-week tour in January with nine fabulous women (mostly from San Francisco), who love to cook and a cooking teacher from Minneapolis called Raghavan. Although it was pretty much your standard tour by airplane and bus seeing forts and temples, we were able to learn something of the food and culture of the region. Here for you is the information I learned—along with a plan for an Indian cooking party.
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Frances’ Trip to Vietnam
Frances’ Trip to Vietnam
Jan 2008: Vietnamese food is the hot new trend here in the Bay Area. In September, Frances Wilson, the instructor of the Professional Program at Tante Marie's spent two weeks traveling in Northern Viet Nam. She came back excited about all she had seen and tasted on her trip and wanted to share it with you.
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Salt Spring Island, B.C. is a Great Place for Food Lovers
Salt Spring Island, B.C. is a Great Place for Food Lovers
Aug 2006: So, why on earth would I choose to invite anyone who wants to celebrate my birthday in a farmhouse on Salt Spring Island? First of all, the farm is owned by my friend Michael Ableman, a well-known organic farmer, author, and speaker about sustainable agriculture.
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Tante Marie’s Trip To Mexico
Tante Marie’s Trip To Mexico
Apr 2006: The food isn't that good in San Miguel de Allende! Or, at least it was disappointing in the five days I was there for my niece, Mandy's wedding. But, don't give up—I still have a great recipe for you!
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