Fun for Foodies Vacations If you consider food and wine one of your hobbies, or your passion, you might enjoy planning a Jacob Hill Inn "Fun for Foodies Vacation," where you'll enjoy regional culinary experiences while staying at one of Southeastern New England's finest inns.

Please note: The price for each work shop is in addition to your room charges.
Our room rates are available in our, Room Rate Chart.

"Extraordinary Epicurean Experiences"
Available only by advance reservation and offered year-round or nearly so

The Italian Center for Culture and Gastronomy-Chef Walter's Cooking School - Chef Walter Potenza graduated from the Culinary School of Villa Santa Maria in Chiete in 1971. Less than a year after graduating Chef Walter moved to the United States and quickly began to draw rave reviews as a unique and authentic Italian chef. He directed some of the finest restaurants in New England before opening Walter's Restaurant on historic Federal Hill in Providence, Rhode Island.

All classes are hands-on. Each class is $75.00 per person unless otherwise specified. Classes run from 6:30 - 9:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays one night for 1+1/2 hour dedicated to cooking and the remainder to enjoy the wonderful food that was prepared by the class. Price includes the cooking class, dinner and recipes to take home. Classes are limited to 10-12 people and fill up fast.

2011 Schedule

January 18, 19 or 20 Abruzzo

In this region, the mountains stretch from the Adriatic to the highest point of the Apennines. The traditional cooking is a more rustic version. On the Coast, they are famous for their majestic fish stews and soups.

January 25 or 27 Tastes of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is a fabulous source of foods that rely on fresh produce, herbs, fish and meat. In this class you will learn how to prepare light and easy dishes that burst with flavor and are sure to become favorites for your entire family.

January 26 Discovering Italy's Indigenous Varietals - Demonstration

There's more to Italian Wine than Chianti and Pinot Grigio. You will taste delicious wines from all over the Italian countryside. Authentic Italian white grapes such as Prosecco, Vermentino, Falanghina, Garganega and Insolia, as well as hot reds like Aglianico, Nero d'Avola, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and more! Appetizers will be served.

February 1, 2 or 3 Sauce Workshop

In this comprehensive back-to-basics sauce class, students will learn the traditional methods of preparing classic “foundation” sauces. We’ll provide lots of instruction and personal guidance and will also share ideas for incorporating classic sauces into menus and making some popular variations of the classic sauces. Sauces will be tasted throughout the class. At the conclusion, you will sample a few prepared dishes to highlight some of the sauces.

February 8, 9 or 10 Essentials of Tuscan Cooking

Tuscany is the heartland of Italy with its foods reflecting the very best of Italy’s home cooking, its roots originating from cucina povera, or peasant cookery. The Tuscans are well known for their superior yet simple dishes, which arise from using the freshest available products. They believe in enhancing the purity and natural flavor of ingredients, rather than trying to camouflage with excess sauces and seasonings

February 15 or 17 Couples Night Out

Newly married or single again? Learn the basics of kitchen organization, get information on the proper tools to have on hand and see how easy it really is. With this cooking class, instead of buying plates you can send your friends and family on the road to creating dishes.

Febuary 16 Mastering the Art of Wine & Food Pairing - Demonstration

A comprehensive look at choosing the perfect wine for your meal. From brunch to a 7 course meal, you will learn the secrets to making the perfect selection. Appetizers will be served.

February 22 or 24 Paella & Sangria

In this fun evening you will learn how to make Spain’s most famous dish while developing some useful culinary skills. Chef will coach students in creating a complete meal with three paella variations, along with some tapas and sangria.

February 23 How to Identify a Quality Wine - Demonstration

What is the difference between a $5 and $500 wine? You will participate in a sensory evaluation of a range of wines at a variety of price points and quality. This will include blind tasting. The results may surprise you. Appetizers will be served.

March 1, 2 or 3 Italian Cicchette e Vino aka Tapas or Small Plates

The Italians have Cicchette which means an introduction and the Spanish have Tapas or “Little Dishes.” This is a centuries-old tradition in Spain, but has only recently attracted attention in this country. Tapas take appetizers into a whole new world. placing them squarely at center stage and creating an entirely new style of eating and entertaining.

March 15, 16 or 17 Northern Italian from Piemonte to Veneto

Some of the most mouth watering dishes come from the north of Italy. This class is always in high demand! We will prepare some of the most amazing and authentic northern Italian dishes such as rigatoni alla Bolognese, stuffed chicken breast, risotto with wild mushrooms, and of course dessert.

March 22, 23 or 24 Essentials of Emilia Romagna

Emilia-Romagna, which stretches between the Adriatic coast, northern Tuscany, and the Po Valley, is one of the most prolific agriculture regions of Italy. It is known for its homemade pasta, chestnuts, balsamic vinegar, Parma ham, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, among a wealth of other products. While enjoying local wines such as Sangiovese and Barbera, you will learn to make the most traditional dishes of this area.

March 29, 30 or 31 Bar Food of Barcelona

What do people in Spain say when they go on a Tapas crawl? "Vamos a Tapear” This is such an ingrained part of Spanish social and food culture that it has become a verb. Barcelona is the major urban center with the liveliest Tapas circuit.

April 5, 6 or 7 - 30 Minute Healthy Gourmet Meals

Short on time but you want your family to eat healthy meals that taste great? Chef Walter has designed this class just for you. Learn how to prepare delicious meals for your family (or yourself!) in 30 minutes or less.

April 12, 13 or 14 Turn on chicken into 5 Meals

Most are at a loss as to what recipe to use for chicken. In this class Chef Walter will teach you how to de-bone a chicken and use all its parts to prepare 5 easy meals.

April 26, 27 or 28 Couples ONLY Cooking Workshop

In this class you will learn how to make a romantic dinner at home from soup to nuts. In our state-of-the-art kitchen, we will teach you and your sweetheart how to prepare a gourmet dinner for two. This will be a date night to remember as you enjoy wine from around the world, listen to romantic music, and enjoy your culinary creation.

May 3, 4 or 5 Polenta - Abruzzese Style

Polenta is the heart of Venetian households and the popular symbol of its cuisine. Veneto is the heartland where all possible gastronomic variations on polenta have been experimented.In this class we will attempt to rediscover many of those flavors.

May 10, 11 or 12 Cooking for Absolute Beginners - Demonstration

This class is a great gift for new brides or brides to be. Are you a complete novice in the kitchen? Are you nervous about attending a hands-on cooking class? In this relaxed and comfortable environment, we will help you get started in this absolute beginners’ cooking class. You will learn how to choose the right kitchen equipment and tools, measures and weights; recipe reading and cooking terminology; why and how to season your food properly; and techniques such as making a vinaigrette and simple sauce, cooking fish and risotto, and making an impressive simple dessert.

May 17 Vegetarian Regional Cooking

A vegetarian diet does not have to be difficult, boring, or limited. Most cuisines from around the world include amazing vegetarian dishes. Come learn an exciting healthy alternative to MEAT with dishes that have bold, fresh flavors and of course, delicious.