About this Event
What’s included in your ticket:
- Hands-on Cooking with Linda Tay Esposito, Viola Buitoni and Rosie Gill
- Clement Street Farmers Market and Restaurant Crawl with Lunch
- North Beach and Chinatown Neighborhood Tour
- Farewell Dinner at Viola’s House
San Francisco is one of our great food cities. We’re heading there to meet up with two of our favorite teachers, Viola Buitoni and Linda Tay Esposito, to explore their San Francisco—the one that built their friendship and their careers. It’s also where Milk Street’s Director of Education Rosie got her start at teaching and met many of the people we’ll visit during our two days together.
We’ll start Sunday morning traversing the culinary paradise of Clement Street. We’ll be eating and shopping our way through a farmers market our teachers frequent, plus Linda’s favorite dim sum shop, Viola’s preferred pasta provider and Linda’s regular grocery store. We’ll also be selecting a few choice ingredients for that evening’s hands-on cooking class. Viola and Linda love merging their cultures and flavors, and the class will feature both foods from their individual backgrounds and new ones they’ve created together. Our evening cooking class is at 18 Reasons, the first cooking school Rosie ran—and where her work with Viola began 15 years ago and where Viola and Linda became friends and collaborators.
Monday begins with another morning walk, but in a new part of town. We’ll meet in North Beach for an Italian breakfast before walking to Chinatown for a noodle lunch. Along the way, we’ll visit shops and purveyors Linda and Viola admire, from a wok shop to an Italian ceramics importer and an Asian dry goods store. We’ll end with coffee and dessert before taking a break to digest. That evening, we meet up at Viola’s home for a private dinner and our farewells.
Please note: A ticket to this event is for the culinary experiences only and does not include accommodation. Here are some inns and B&Bs that Viola recommends:
- Parker Guest House
- Becks Motor Inn
- The Inn San Francisco
- Dolores Place
About Viola: Viola Buitoni is an Italian-born, California-based food expert, cooking instructor, and food writer. In 2020, the President of the Italian Republic honored her with the title Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for her work furthering the culture and business of Italian food. “Italy by Ingredient” is her first book.
About Linda: Linda Tay Esposito is a teaching chef whose food represents a tribute and a commitment to the authenticity of the cuisines of the Pacific Rim. Since 2004, Linda has shared her passion and knowledge of Southeast Asian cuisines by using approachable techniques that students can recreate at home. Linda teaches at 18 Reasons, The Civic Kitchen and Milk Street. Previously, she taught at the San Francisco Cooking School, Cavallo Point, and several other cooking schools in the Bay Area.
FAQs
Is this an in-person event?
Yes. This event takes place in San Francisco, CA.
What are my transport options getting to the event?
If you are flying to the region, we recommend traveling into San Francisco. The easiest way to navigate around the area is via public transit and rideshare (Uber, Lyft), but you may choose to rent a car. If you rent a car, please allow extra time to find parking before each of our gatherings.
Is my registration ticket refundable?
No. We do not offer refunds for in-person registrations. However, your ticket is fully transferable to another person for this event on these dates. You are responsible for finding someone to use your ticket, arranging reimbursement, and for sending us the new attendee's full name, contact information, and any special dietary requests.
If you purchased tickets for this class on behalf of someone else, please be sure to forward this message to them so they can come prepared.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included on both days of the tour.
Is lodging included?
No. Tickets purchased here are for the cooking activities only and do not include lodging.
I have an allergy or dietary restriction. Can I still come?
We work hard to accommodate as many allergies and dietary needs as possible. You are welcome to write us at [email protected] to get more detailed information on whether this event is a good fit for you.
Are children allowed?
Children 11-17 are allowed to participate if they attend and cook with an adult parent or guardian. The minor and the adult must each have a ticket to the event.
How many people does one ticket cover?
One ticket covers one attendee.
I'm an Insider. Do I get a discount to the in-person classes?
This event is not hosted at Milk Street, so Insider benefits do not apply to it.
These dates don't work for me. Will this class be offered again soon?
A similar itinerary is taking place on February 25-26, 2027. You can find information about that departure here.
Where can I contact the organizer with further questions?
Write to us with any other questions at [email protected].
Event venue & nearby stays
18 Reasons, 3674 18th Street, San Francisco, United States
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