Guests arrive via golf cart to cave dinners , which require Pronghorn Resort staff to take an all-handson-deck approach to pull it off .
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese hosts Italian cooking classes off-site , starting with a trip to the local market .
CULINARY CLASSES
HOTEL SOFITEL ROME VILLA BORGHESE
ROME
The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese , which re-opened in July after a year-long US $ 15 million renovation , can host groups of up to about 50 people . But it won ’ t host Italian cooking classes — instead , chefs and organizers will transport groups to the local market to shop for food and then to locations like homes or kitchen laboratories to prepare a meal , says Sita Agostino , head concierge . “ We are Italian — we are known for our food ,” Agostino says . “ Everything is tailor-made for the group , and it ’ s a very sensory experience . It ’ s something people remember .”
“ We are very much a boutique hotel ,” says Manuela Rampado , sales and marketing director . The biggest meeting space can host only about 65 people . “ We ’ re more for board meetings and smaller groups ,” she says . The culinary classes are an added amenity for groups , at a cost .
After shopping for ingredients with the chef and learning how to prepare them , participants cook their meal and enjoy it with a glass of wine . “ They share an experience together ,” Agostino says . “ It ’ s very much about the experience .”
July / August 2019 hotelsmag . com 45