Pasta-loving little ones can claim their shot at gratis, gourmet cooking lessons on the Amalfi coast by entering Cooking Vacations’ (www.cooking- vacations.com) Piccolo Chef contest. The annual competition is open to youngsters, 10 and under, who enjoy dabbling in the kitchen. To qualify for the free trip, entrants must submit an essay of 250 words or less detailing why they want to be a chef and their culinary inspiration.
The winner will receive a six-day stay (good through 2008) at the “Secret Garden” bed and breakfast in Positano, a scenic town located on Italy’s central coast, due south of Napoli. A comparable eight-day children’s cooking package includes activities like hands-on cooking classes, day trips (boating to Capri, open market visits), instructional outings (farm excursions) and at least three meals a day.—WR