On June 22, 2008 a good friend and I took one of Christine’s one day classes and it was superb. My husband and I traveled to Italy this summer for a five week stay in Perugia. My husband had signed up for Italian language classes and I was seeking out some cooking classes. While I attended other cooking classes during my stay I found Christine’s day to be the best! Our day started by gathering ingredients for the day’s lesson at the local market and small specialty shops throughout the town, picking up a medium-aged pecorino at her favorite cheese store, perfect pork at the butcher shop, crusty bread at the bakery and let’s not forget the chocolate! Our day in Christine’s fabulous kitchen included olive oil and cheese tastings as well a hands-on preparation of five food courses well balanced with local wines. She has an easy-going manner of imparting useful information to her students in a relaxed but professional atmosphere. Her menu choices were unique, delicious and recipes to take home and use. In fact, I have made every dish at least once since returning home! My show stopper is her zabaglione and grapes roasted with olive oil, rosemary and sugar! When we return to Perugia, another of Christine’s classes will be at the top of my list!
Deborah B., CA

I have lived in Italy for a total of 13 years, nine of them in Umbria. I love the country and its cuisine, so any chance I get to learn from the cooks of Italy, whether in the home of a neighbor, a formal cooking school, or private lessons with a wonderful chef, I jump at the opportunity. Recently I had the pleasure of taking a hands-on cooking class with Christine in Perugia. Her menu was unique — courses perfectly balanced for flavor, color and texture, made from ingredients purchased that very morning on our market tour. Even after all these years in Umbria, Christine introduced me to new dishes, new concepts, and old tricks to make cooking easy and pleasurable. Sampling of local breads and olive oils punctuated our time in the kitchen. Eating what we had prepared was fun and rewarding, — the Umbrian wine perfect and the portions just right for a summer pranzo, leaving us energy to still stroll the city. A wholly satisfying experience!
Ginda S., Italy

We liked the warm and causual atmosphere in Christine’s home and kitchen, the interest she showed in us as individuals and students, the trip to the market (including history and local color), and the pure enjoyment of cooking that she shared with us. By the time we had to leave, we had become good friends.
Ed & Carolyn W., St. Charles, IL

My clients returned from Italy this weekend and had a wonderful trip. Christine Hickman’s cooking class was a highlight. She was terrific, had a fabulous house and directions to get there were perfect. Thank you for making me look good!
Best Regards, Susan T., CTC

We loved getting to have the class in Christine’s beautiful home. She was so generous with her information and created an atmosphere of fun – but we learned an incredible amount. The food we cooked was extraordinary without too much effort. We would take the classes again!
Steve & Stephanie C, TX