Ex-Olive Garden Employee Reveals Truth Behind Tuscan Cooking School

Slashfood:

Sorry to burst your bubble, Olive Garden fans, but that "cooking school" in Tuscany, the one where the chain's chefs supposedly go to learn the secrets of Italian cuisine from the source? It's pretty much a sham.

This according to a former Olive Garden manager, who's causing a flurry of discussion at Reddit (much of it oddly trading on obscene jokes about breadsticks-you've been warned). The manager, posting as FIDELIA079, claims that he scored a lucky, all-expense-paid (except souvenirs) trip to the chain's Tuscan "culinary institute" in 2007.

Read the whole story

Comments

[Jana Alton]

03:11 PM on 05/23/2011

Actually they never say the Chefs are sent to Italy for cooking lessons. They aren't, anyone who has worked for Darden knows this. The Managers are sent, and they go to learn about wines and foods. Not for culinary school.

[logic-a-go-go]

10:57 PM on 04/21/2011

Of course, it's a sham. Anyone who has ever had one meal there knows that. Ate there once, about twenty years ago. Never been back--just horrible food.

[tangelan]

12:11 AM on 04/18/2011

Well, I'm shocked. Good bread sticks, though.

[JenniferWest]

02:53 PM on 04/17/2011

I knew it! Every time I see that commercial I think, I've been to Tuscany and I have eaten at an Olive Garden-And the food is totally unrelated! It's like comparing a beautiful new Audi to your Grandmother's old Chevy Nova sitting in the garage-It run's sure- but you don't get much enjoyment out of it!

[medicontheedge]

09:24 AM on 04/17/2011

I figured it was bull short....a former employee told me long ago that all their "Italian" cooking is boil in bags.

[logic-a-go-go]

10:58 PM on 04/21/2011

And it is totally obvious.

[Jana Alton]

03:13 PM on 05/23/2011

Its not boil in bags. It is cooked fresh, I did work at OG. The Pasta Fagioli soup noodles are in a boil in bag, and that is the extent of the boil in bag. OG gets a hard rap from Italian food snobs, but you can't deny the success of the chain, like it or not it does a great business. Food snobs suck.

[caromtt1]

10:31 PM on 04/16/2011

First let me say that an ex-employee said this. If he really wanted to let the public know why not do it while he was working there? When has anyone's ex said anything real about you?! I don't work for olive garden, but you can't tell me that they don't use real olive oil or garlic in there food! It's whatever. Everytime a bell rings, an angel get their wings and someone has to rip them off and say,"No, That's not real!" The food is real. If people still eat at MacDs, I think we can still eat there! To me if I want real italian, I can either fly over seas or just settle. I only have about 20 dollars, so I'll go to Olive Garden.

[JenniferWest]

02:54 PM on 04/17/2011

All of the food is pre-made just like McDonalds.

[Jana Alton]

03:15 PM on 05/23/2011

Sorry Jennifer, it actually isn't. It is fresh cooked and served. I worked at the good old OG and I can tell you you are 100% wrong. Also, as an FYI, the kitchens are immaculate.

[logic-a-go-go]

10:59 PM on 04/21/2011

Angel gets their wings? Give me a break. I'd rather deal with truth, Scarlett.

[BlueZoo]

01:59 PM on 04/16/2011

And the tv commercial they are currently running has Joe Montegna as the voice of their so-called "chef" at the phantom cooking school! It's all a sham!

[tster1965]

01:32 AM on 04/21/2011

I didn't realize it was Joe Mantegna. Will have to listen more closely the next the commercial is on.

[Dolphinfan65]

12:19 PM on 04/16/2011

When I first ate at a Olive Garden (15 yrs ago), the food was very good, But the next two times, it was horrible (same place), haven't been back since!!.

[chiara0]

09:08 AM on 04/16/2011

So tell me... we weren't tipped off by the food, or the branding, or the name.... that Olive Garden had nothing to do with Italy?

[kat momma]

04:20 AM on 04/16/2011

Next thing will be that OG adds some table-tipping donnas to up the authenticity factor.

[pjlowry]

01:45 AM on 04/16/2011

First Santa Claus, Taco Bell and now this... I don't think I can take much more.

[Blues02]

04:31 PM on 04/15/2011

My mind is blown.

[Bike Commuter]

03:06 PM on 04/15/2011

It nothing sacred anymore? What next, are you going to tell me that the "one wierd tip" for weight loss is a gimmick too?

[yavuz]

02:52 PM on 04/15/2011

I had the misfortune of having to eat in Olive Garden once, but luckily only once...

[BrooklynChef]

02:04 PM on 04/15/2011

I AM SHOCKED