La Tavola Marche is run by a young passionate American couple who will cook for you, take you shopping in the local markets for the night’s dinner, direct you to the best wines and cheese of the region, and if you wish, give you cooking lessons.
After years of travel and eating their way through every state and country they visited, Jason and Ashley decided to share their love for food with others in this unique way. Chef Jason Bartner has over 12 years of high-end culinary experience in San Francisco and New York City, an education at the French Culinary Institute, training with culinary legends including Jacques Pepin, and a passion to cook for anyone with an appetite. Combining his classic French technique and Italian cucina povera makes for a delicious unpretentious meal where the ingredients are the stars.
Jason and Ashley are also influenced by the Slow Food philosophy and do their best to lead by example, only cooking what is in season and locally grown, thus supporting the local economy.
Ashley and Jason chose to move to Italy to celebrate life every day, every meal. Ashley says, “Why wait until we are ready to retire to do something like this? We wanted to live a life of quality and Italians more than anyone truly seize the day.”
They hope you take home a taste of la dolce vita, the simplicity of good cooking, great stories to share, and an appetite to return.
La Tavola Marche is founded on our feelings that food is the most accessible, and one of the most unique and enjoyable ways to get to know a new destination. Culinary experiences not only enhance traveler’s enjoyment through pleasing their taste buds, but also allow for an immediate immersion into the local culture.
“I love how food brings people together, makes them happy. Who could complain when the smells of a home-cooked meal waft through the house on a Sunday afternoon? This was the start of my relationship with food. Every Sunday my father would cook a late afternoon meal, and when I was old enough to help, I joined him. This brings back a comforting memory and I soon learned that the real way into people’s hearts was through their stomachs. And so began my career.
“What better place to share my love for food than the beautiful region of Le Marche with a perfect balance of coastal fruits of the sea, intensively farmed midlands, and the wild harvest of the mountains. Everywhere in Le Marche, seafood, in all types and varieties, is abundantly available. Inland and north from the coast, game flourishes. Truffles grow happily on the roots of old oaks. In addition, wild boar, which ends up in marvelous ragù and sausages, fatten on the acorns of this ancient forest. Between the mountains and the sea, there are gently rolling hills rich in farro and wheat, peaches and plums, tomatoes, garlic, fennel, basil, lavender, and rosemary. On the farms, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and cattle all fatten on the grasses of Le Marche. This variety typifies the region and why it is the perfect place on earth.
“It is the simplicity of the Marchigiani cuisine that astounds me, a philosophy of choosing seasonal ingredients at their peak and letting them sing. Food that really touches all five of our senses.”
Ashley has always worked in hospitality. “I’m a people person through and through.” She has worked for the prestigious private clubs and resort company ClubCorp for 10 years from the front desk/concierge position to member relations director. “It’s cheesy to say, but I love making ‘magic moments’ for others. It’s in the little things, the details—name recognition, a warm smile to greet you as you walk in the door, and celebrating special occasions with a bottle of wine and note waiting in your room.
“I love food and travel. I think it is the best way to know a culture, through its food. And I truly think you learn more about yourself when you discover a new country, culture, and its history, be open to it and embrace the differences.“
Join Jason and Ashley on their blog!