Classico Cooking Classes

Tuscany, Italy - 3 nights
Available April to October 

This culinary experience will be like no other. Stay in an abbey in the Chianti region that dates back to the 11th century and has since been turned into a spectacular wine resort. The estate became popular many years ago when the owner became a famous author and cookbook writer. Now these residential cooking courses are held by a celebrated and renowned Italian chef and are taught in English in the spring, summer and autumn. The property is also known as one of the locations where the Netflix series "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" was filmed! Choose from a day or evening cooking class or our three night program where you will take four cooking classes.


 

Three Night INTENSIVE COOKING Program

Enjoy an intensive residential course where you will be introduced to some of the most authentic traditional Tuscan dishes taught to you by an incredible and renowned chef. The course includes 4 cooking classes (two morning and two afternoon cooking classes), with three nights' accommodation at this spectacular property.

Each class will have a different menu and vegetarian and vegan menus are available upon request. From the typical “schiacciata”, a kind of flat bread flavored with extra virgin olive oil and salt - to the  pasta, and meat and vegetable dishes - to the dessert - you will experience the unmistakable Tuscan tastes and flavours. 

Lunches and dinners are served after the cooking classes in the informal and intimate atmosphere of the abbey’s private dining room. The final touch is the selection of the estate's famous wines well paired with the prepared menu which brings out flavours and aromas of the food. 

 

DAY ONE 

 

ARRIVAL

From 2pm to 6pm: You can arrive on your own to the property or be picked up at the Florence train station at 4pm. (pick up is an extra charge) Upon arrival you will be shown to your rooms and made comfortable.

At 8pm a welcome dinner is served in the restaurant.

  

DAY TWO

MORNING & AFTERNOON COOKING LESSONS - TOUR OF ABBEY

A rich buffet breakfast is served from 8 am to 10 am.

Your first cooking class begins at 10:30 am in the family kitchen. The lesson will be followed by lunch at 1:30-2:00 pm in the owner’s private dining room.

Following lunch at 2:30pm you will enjoy a guided tour of the abbey.

In the afternoon enjoy some free time. You can either go for a swim in the property's large outdoor pool, or take a stroll through the monumental Renaissance gardens or a walk in the pristine forests which are criss-crossed by walking paths.

Your second cooking class will begin at 5:30 pm in the family kitchen, followed by dinner at 8pm in the owner’s private dining room.

 

DAY THREE

 

MORNING & AFTERNOON COOKING LESSONS

Following a rich buffet breakfast, you will follow the same cooking schedule as above (two lessons, morning and afternoon).  

Lessons will be followed with a meal of your fabulous creations. Each cooking class will have a different menu. Vegetarian and vegan dishes on request as well as special dishes for guests with food allergies or intolerances. 

 

DAY FOUR

 

  

DEPARTURE

Departure after breakfast by 10:30 am.

 

  

Buon viaggio e arriverderci!

 

 


 Day Cooking Classes

 

A unique chance to learn classical regional Italian cuisine through a hands-on approach in our family kitchen. Lessons start at 10.30 am, and in 3 hours, guests will all work together to prepare a whole 4 course menu using only local and seasonal ingredients. After the cooking lesson, lunch is served in the beautiful owner’s private dining room, where guests will delve into their preparations while also tasting a selection of the world class organic wines produced at this famed wine estate. After lunch, it’s time to enjoy coffee and grappa in the living room. 

The lessons are taught by a celebrated chef of Tuscan cuisine who is co-founder of a popular Florentine restaurant: with a perfect command of English, a natural easy going style and a hand’s on approach. Courses are usually held in English and/or Italian; upon request and for a minimum group of 6 persons, classes in French, Spanish, German, and Japanese translation can be arranged.

The day hands-on cooking classes can be held on any day as per clients' request, for individuals and groups from 10:00am to with a minimum of 6 persons. We may also be able to arrange a class beginning at 5pm or 5:30pm. Please inquire.  

 

 

Program for the day

 

10.00am: Arrival and welcome with a tour of the Abbey and the wine cellars
10.30am: Beginning of the cooking course
1.30pm: Lunch in the private dining room, relax in the garden or in the fireplace room with coffee and grappa.
2.30/3.00: End of the activities

 

 

 

 


 

GROUP SIZE

 

A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 8 participants (a minimum of 6 participants required for a non residential cooking class).

 

 (The number of participants refers to how many persons are required to run the tour, not to how many persons you must have in your party. Please inquire.)

HOW TO ARRIVE

 

Closest Airports/Train Stations:

 

Florence Airport - 75km - 1 and 1/2 hour drive
Montevarchi Train Station - 25km - 20 minute drive

 

Distances from major Italian cities:

 

From Milan – 365 Km
From Rome – 262 Km
From Florence – 68 Km
From Arezzo – 55 Km
From Siena – 36 Km

 

The property has 8 double guest bedrooms all with ensuite bathroom. Each room has its own unique charm, in décor and style reflecting the elegance of the surroundings. We are able to organize a late arrival since the housekeepers live on site. 

*These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included with this tour.

 

 

BOOKING INFORMATION

 

2024 Fees Per Person

THREE NIGHT PROGRAM

Double Occupancy/US$1175
Single Occupancy/US$1395
Non cooking partner/US$725

NON RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS/US$190

*Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation


**There are 8 spacious and charming double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms (5 twin rooms/3 double rooms) as well as 2 single bedrooms which share a bathroom. Up to 18 people can be accommodated at any one time.

 

 


For further inquiries or to register, click here.

 

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CANCELLATION POLICY

 

 

Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

 

 


 

CLIENT REMARKS

 

 

Neda M., Beverly Hills, California

"My daughter & I had an absolutely wonderful time on our cooking trip to Italy. The location was dreamy, the food was incredible, the instructor was amazing and very accommodating, the owner of the property was very welcoming. All in all this was a very special trip and we will cherish the memories for years to come!"

 

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MAP*

This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE

 

*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.

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