In Umhlanga, there’s a cosy little corner offering a slower pace of life from the usual rush. Old Town Italy is an Italian-inspired restaurant and they’re all about savouring the moment, celebrating ethics, preserving standards and rediscovering quality; you’ll lose all sense of time as you step into this charming haven.
The Fab-Team gathered at Old Town Italy for a night of pasta-making, a class that’s run on a monthly-basis, and we finally got to experience it! They also offer pizza-making classes, perfect for a unique date night or a fun activity to enjoy with friends.
The love could be felt and seen from the moment you walk in, from the warm greetings from the staff to the vintage décor bringing in the old romance aesthetic and the sweet pastries at the counter may as well have spelled out love, because my pupils dilated the moment I saw them! General Manager Hedley Ridley eased us into the class, outlining the evening’s agenda. We began with delightful appetisers and drinks, a wonderful start already as we teased our taste buds with the flavours of the light antipasto. We were then given hair nets and aprons to wear, which sparked a fit of giggles as we joked about our newfound ‘chef’ status.
Our table was set up with bowls, our ingredients, and pasta machines, all ready with the brilliant Head Baker Thabiso Ndamane standing at the end, ready to start the class. Our dish was ravioli with a spinach and ricotta filling. We learned that creating a simple two-ingredient dough requires precision and patience, but the end result is well-worth the effort. After making our dough, we teamed up to roll out the dough into pasta sheets, with one person gently stretching it out as it came through the bottom and one person stretching the top. The sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment was undeniable. We beamed with pride as we held up our finished sheets, knowing that we had created something truly special.
But the fun is not over! Our sheets were now ready to be cut into squares for the ravioli. With guidance from Thabiso, Hedley and Assistant Manager David Muir, we were shown techniques that they often use, making our experience a little extra special. We then rolled up our spinach and feta filling into little balls, placed it in the middle of our squares, added some egg wash, covered it with another square, and then forked the ends to secure our little pockets of love!
Time to turn up the heat in the kitchen! After we’d all crafted our beautiful ravioli, we headed to the kitchen, queuing up to boil our pasta and then toss it in a rich arrabbiata sauce. With an extra dash of chilli and paired with a delicious piadina breadstick, we were all set for a wonderful dinner. As we sat down to enjoy our handmade creations, the sense of satisfaction was overwhelming. Throughout the evening, our waitress Lungisile Shange ensured we had everything we needed, from refreshing drinks to helpful assistance, making the experience truly enjoyable. This was not just a cooking class—it was an immersive experience that brought us closer together and left us with memories to cherish. Dear foodies, this is an experience not to miss. And do keep an eye on their social pages for their Kid’s Baking Classes and Sip & Paint Classes!
A huge thank you to the incredible Old Town Italy team for hosting us for an unforgettable evening! Not forgetting Melissa Maduray, Group Chef and Phindile Hlongwa, Senior Manager. Your warm hospitality made us feel like part of the familia and your passion for authentic Italian cuisine and culture shines through in every detail. We can’t wait to come back and experience it all again!
Words: Elvida Sydney