DEPOT HOTEL-CUCINA RUSTICA: Classes

Our Cooking Classes and Our Chefs

OUR SCHOOL . . .

In 1987 Chef Ghilarducci and his wife Gia founded the DEPOT RESTAURANT cooking school, Scuola Rustica, and have been teaching cooking classes here in Sonoma ever since. Chef Ghilarducci has continued to teach in Sonoma, Provence, Argentina, and Italy. In 2002, Chef Ghilarducci had the pleasure of joining Jacques Pepin for a week of joint cooking classes at Chateau Villette outside of Paris. In 2006 Chef Ghilarducci also began teaching a series of cooking classes on Crystal Cruise Lines. In 2008, the school staff was increased by their son, Chef Antonio Ghilarducci, a talented young chef who has already developed quite a following.

Each cooking class at SCUOLA RUSTICA in Sonoma is a light-hearted and relaxed event that includes a complete, lavish four or five course lunch or dinner with three or more vintage wines—–while you learn new cooking skills. The chefs teach techniques that will make cooks of any level more comfortable in the kitchen.

During class, Chef Ghilarducci will demonstrate each new dish and discuss its origins and the techniques used to prepare it. A complete recipe book will also be provided with all the recipes. We also offer hands-on grilling classes in the garden during the summer months.

Whatever the style of class—the focus is fun, with great food and wine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For those who want to improve their cooking skills—you will! For those who want a great meal with friends—and a lot of fun, we can make it happen!

Since 1987, we have been teaching classes to our students--primarily on Tuscan cuisine, but also on the cuisine of other Italian provinces, on country French cooking, and on the cuisine of the Mediterranean basin in generall. We have also offered classes in open-air grilling, Southern barbeque, Oriental cuisine, Turkish cuisine, Mayan cuisine, and American regional cooking.

Do you love to cook and want to learn more? Do you just want to eat a great meal and drink some great wine?

Do you have a spouse or a friend for whom you'd like to get a different and very useful gift? Are you looking for something different to do for a birthday party for a group?

Would you like to go to Europe with us and cook there in a private villa for a week?

Are you a corporate planner looking for something different for team building or a group meeting break-out event?

We also do private cooking classes for groups from 18 to 40. The Chef and kitchen are available on weekend afternoons from 11 to 2 pm and on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 pm. We can plan a special menu just for your group from one of the Italian provinces, from France, Morocco, Greece, Central or South American, or a class of all Spanish tapas.

Classes include a very generous four course lunch or dinner, three premium vintage wines (beer and soft drinks also if you like,) and all the recipes. $85 per person.

Call Gia and make plans for a relaxed and fun Cooking Class Party!

Owner and Chef Michael Ghilarducci was born in the Italian-speaking area of North Beach known as "Little Italy.” At the age of eleven he began working in the kitchens of his father's restaurant. After graduation from the culinary program at City College of San Francisco and formal training in the Classical French tradition, Chef Ghilarducci has worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in San Francisco. With his wife Gia, he owned three restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area, before purchasing the Depot Hotel building in 1985, opening the DEPOT RESTAURANT. In 1987 Chef Ghilarducci and his wife Gia founded their cooking school, Scuola Rustica, and have been teaching cooking classes in Sonoma ever since. In 1989, Chef Ghilarducci received the honor to be recognized as a Master Chef of America. In 1998 he purchased 10 acres of vineyards in Lake County, California, where he grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. In 2001, the Ghilarduccis began a program of week-long cooking classes in Europe—in Provence, Umbria, and Paris, as well as on Crystal Cruise Lines. Chef Ghilarducci also enjoys trips to Northern Italy just to visit his family near Lucca. Through these trips, he has developed a great respect for the simple, rustic cuisine of the Tuscan countryside.

Owner and General Manager Gia Ghilarducci holds degrees in Anthropology and Psychology from Stanford University. After teaching for some years and raising a family, she is now Manager of day-to-day operations for the Restaurant. She is also the Banquet and Special Events Manager. She is Director of the Scuola Rustica Cooking School and coordinates the Cooking School’s overseas travel program. She designs desserts for the Restaurant and Cooking School and frequently presents that portion of the cooking class to the students.

Executive Chef Antonio Ghilarducci also attended San Francisco City College in the Culinary Arts Department. This is the oldest cooking school on the West Coast and the same school that his father attended thirty years earlier. He graduated among the top five in his class in 2002 and obtained his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies. In 2002 he had the pleasure of joining Jacques Pepin for a week of joint cooking classes at Chateau Villette outside of Paris. Chef Pepin took a liking to Antonio and gave him a recommendation for an internship with Roland Passot of the famous La Folie and Left Bank restaurants. Antonio eventually left La Folie and moved to Napa to pursue a job with the newly opened Angele under Chef Christophe Gerard as a Chef de Partie. Antonio remained there for a year before taking a job at The French Laundry again as a Chef de Partie under Chef Thomas Keller. After six months at the French Laundry, he joined one of the French Laundry’s Sous Chefs in opening the El Dorado Kitchen in Sonoma. Now, back at the DEPOT RESTAURANT , he has come full circle back to the place he grew up. He is looking forward to cooking and teaching—combining his unique culinary experience with the rustic, Tuscan cuisine of the DEPOT RESTAURANT .

SUN JUNE 7 GRILL CLASS-PROVENCE, 12 noon -3 pm Depot Hotel, Sonoma, $85 per person including dinner, vintage wines, class and recipes

SUN JUNE 14 GRILL CLASS-PROVENCE, 12 noon -3 pm Depot Hotel, Sonoma, $85 per person including dinner, vintage wines, class and recipes

SUN JULY 26 GRILL CLASS-PROVENCE, 12 noon -3 pm Depot Hotel, Sonoma, $85 per person including dinner, vintage wines, class and recipes

MON-TUES NOV 9, 10 PRE-HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS, 6:30 - 9 pm Depot Hotel, Sonoma, $85 per person including dinner, vintage wines, class and recipes

MON-TUES DEC 7, 8 PRE-HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS, 6:30 - 9 pm Depot Hotel, Sonoma, $85 per person including dinner, vintage wines, class and recipes

**Call to find out about upcoming 2010 classes and be put on the current cooking class e-mailing list!

Class Schedule in Sonoma

Generally, classes are offered on either a Monday or a Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, although we have done classes on Sunday and Monday afternoons as well. Most classes are booked independently by individual students. However, we are glad to do special classes for groups -- a family group, a special group of friends, an office party, etc. If you would like a special cooking class of your own -- we are happy to design one with you to suit your own culinary interests and your favorite cuisine -- and do it either hands-on or demonstration style! Group size is usually 18 to 22, although outdoor poolside grilling classes may be as large as 40.

If you are interested in any of our classes in Sonoma, or any of our overseas trips, ask to be added to our E-mailing list.

Class tuition in Sonoma is usually around $85 per class, which includes a lavish four or five course dinner, served with three or four matching vintage wines, the recipe workbook, and the class itself. The dress is comfortable and the atmosphere is relaxed -- come hungry and be prepared to have fun!