Authentic Tuscan Cooking
Tuscany, Italy - 6 nights
Available March to November - Saturday to Friday
This culinary program is perfect for those who are lovers of all that is Tuscan – the charming medieval towns, the centuries old traditions, the people and their culture, the art and of course, the great food and wine!! You will enjoy hands-on cooking courses learning the art of Tuscan cuisine from our wonderful English speaking professional Italian chefs in an original kitchen of a 14th century villa. We also offer vegetarian, vegan, celiac and organic cooking vacations so please inquire.
During your Tuscan week you will have a lesson on the history of the Tuscan diet featuring typical peasant dishes and will learn how the gastronomy has changed throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods up until modern times.
Your cooking days will teach you how to prepare a five course meal, including "primi piatti' - risottos, soups, gnocchi and fresh handmade pasta. We will discuss different pasta making techniques, stuffed pastas, colouring and flavouring pastas, different sauces and how to match them with different types of pastas.
Next you will learn about salads and soups. There are many dishes in Tuscany that focus on soups in the winter and salads in the summer using old bread and the wonderful variety of vegetables in season. Now, 'Secondi and Contorni' which are the meat, fish and game dishes accompanied by vegetables and flans.
And onto antipasti and desserts. The secret of all Italian cookery are the fresh products used. Fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables are the base of all tasty dishes and frozen products are almost never used. During the year the menu's in all restaurants change, adapting to the produce available and we will discuss the various dishes popular for each season.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day One - Saturday
Morning shuttle pick up from Florence. Meeting point is Corners of Via Curtatone & Via Amerigo Vespucci Lungarno (facing the river, left hand corner). Standard Meeting time is 9:30am.
You will meet your chefs who by the week's end, will become your lifeling friends. You will begin your first cooking class after the introduction with your chef.
The kitchen will be the heart of this gastronomical adventure. Participants will receive their recipe books and course guidelines.
Day Two - Sunday
Today is your second cooking class from 10am to 3pm.
After enjoying the lunch that you have prepared, you will have free time in the afternoon.
The group can relax or opt to choose additional activities and tours offered in our ' Additional Activities' program.
Day Three - Monday
Today is your third cooking class from 10am to 3pm.
After enjoying the lunch that you have prepared, you will have free time in the afternoon.
The group can relax or opt to choose additional activities and tours offered in our 'Additional Activities' program.
Day Four - Tuesday
This morning is your fourth cooking class that begins at 3:30 pm in the afternoon and you will have a free morning to do your daytime activities or just relax.
Day Five - Wednesday
Today is your fifth cooking class from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
After enjoying the lunch that you have prepared, you will have free time in the afternoon.
The group can relax or opt to choose additional activities and tours offered in our 'Additional Activities' program.
Day Six - Thursday
Today starts with a Market Tour in the morning by 8:30 am at the Florence PIAZZA MERCATO CENTRALE 26R
Once you return to the cooking school you will start your sixth cooking class from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Note: Transfer to and from the market is not included in the package but we can arrange for it or you can also easily go and come using the local trains.
Optional Tour activities in the morning after the Market Tour followed by an evening class depending upon group’s preference.
Day Seven -
Arriverderci!
Buon viaggio! Check out by 11am.
*Please note that the program outlined is a guide and the order of the days may change due to seasons, weather, public holidays, etc. Some cooking classes may start in the afternoon instead of the morning which will provide you dinner and also leave you much of the day free to relax or enjoy additional activities.
*The content or order of the itinerary may change depending on dates, availability of services or activities, local festivals/holidays, weather constraints, etc.
*Menus are samples and may vary according to the season
ONE DAY / MULTI-DAY COOKING CLASSES
Cooking classes usually begin at 10:00am with lunch as your meal but please inquire if you would be interested in an afternoon class instead with dinner as your meal (class beginning at 4:00pm).
GENERAL " Classes are held nearly every weekday and then weekends upon request. The classes are held in one of the two kitchens on the estate - there is a kitchen in the villa and the other in the medieval castle of the estate in the Torre. The chefs are all native Tuscans who speak very good English. The classes are a mix of hands on and demonstration and run from 3-12 people. As there are two kitchens on the estate we can cater to larger groups, up to about 28 people.We have two levels for our single day classes – Introductory & Full Immersion. Both the classes include a HUGE lunch and wine all day.
We can also provide transport to and from the villa estate from a central meeting point in the center of Florence for the cost of 20€ per person round trip to be paid in Italy. NOTE – PICK UP IS NOT FROM HOTELS
The 4 hour Introductory Class is an introduction to Italian foods with a focus on Tuscan cuisine. You will make antipasto, first course (usually fresh pasta with a sauce), second course with a side dish, and dessert accompanied by coffee.
The 5 hour Full Immersion Class takes this a step further, it is a 5 course class and focuses on stuffed pastas such as ravioli, coloring pasta, more sauces, how to make a perfect risotto beginning with making the broth, second courses of meat/game with one or two side dishes and of course dessert. We also include an apron.
You don't have to be an advanced cook to take either of these classes. You will spend more time learning how to prepare more complex dishes but the chefs will guide you through the entire program.
MULTI DAY CLASSES
If you want to participate in a multiple day class we can also offer those and really customise the menu to suit the groups likes and dislikes. These are always Advanced classes, so we can cover much more in the extra time. We can customize the program to really suit what you would like to learn and each days' menu is completely different.
SAMPLE MENUS
MENU ONE
'Mezza Luna' with zucchini and pesto
Eggplant Parmesan
Pasta fresca – tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms
Baked pork loin marinated with oranges and cooked with scallions and fennel
Ricotta Cake
MENU TWO
Crostini Toscani
Parmesan baskets filled with a seasonal salad
Risotto with Zucchini and Fresh Zucchini Flowers
Veal broth
Potato gnocchi drizzled with truffle oil
Etruscan Chicken
Individual tiramisù
MENU THREE
Stuffed & Fried Zucchini Flowers & Sage
Panzanella Summer Salad
Ravioli filled with grilled eggplant & walnutsgarnished with butter and fresh parsley
Cinghiale in Umido – Wild Boar Stew
Tuscan White Beans
Crostata Autunalle- Autumn tart
MENU FOUR
Pizzetine
Pear & Gorgonzola
Risotto Gnudi
Chicken Breast rolled in pancetta and sage, stuffed with artichokes & cheese
Panna Cotta with Berry Sauce
*Photos Courtesy of Jennifer D'Angelo Swain
GROUP SIZE
A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 14 participants.
(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 and train stations:
Pisa Airport: 45 minute drive to villa
Florence Airport: 15 minute drive to villa
*These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour.
*Program subject to modification according to the season and by personal request.
2025 Fees Per Person
Double Occupancy/Starting From US$1725
Single Supplement/Starting From US$350
Non-participant/Please inquire
*Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation
Deposit
After availability is confirmed, a non-refundable 30% per person deposit and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 75 days before your arrival date.
2025 Dates
Dates are flexible. Please inquire. Some weeks may also start on Sunday instead Saturday.
Included
*Shuttle Pick up on day 1 from Central Florence at 9:30 am
*Breakfast Basket that generally lasts for a week
*Coffee & Biscuits on arrival
*Six (6) five hour Immersion Cooking Classes
*Six (6) five course meals after the class with wine and coffee
*One (1) three hour Food Market visit
*Six nights' accommodation in double room at the Estate or at a nearby Bed & Breakfast
*150 page Tuscan recipe Book & Signature Apron
Additional Activities: Upon request, wine tasting tours and visits to other towns or the Chianti countryside with a driver can be arranged for you before or after classes for an additional cost.
NOT INCLUDED (for participants and non-participants)
Airfare, personal expenses, city/tourist taxes (payable upon arrival on site in cash), any additional meals, optional day tours, transfers to/from the estate, transportation not included in the program outline, car rental, tips and gratuities, groceries purchased for your private accommodations, rental of cell phones (we can normally arrange a cell phone rental for you), phone calls, any additional cleaning or maid service, purchase of estate wine and olive oil, occasional meals and any of the optional activities. Internet keys are also available for hire at €15 per week plus usage which is based on a per hour rate
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.
Vicki C., Pasadena, California
Peggy W., Claremont, California
Sheryl and Shane N., Toronto, Canada
Robin B., Hoodsport, Washington
Dr. Roger S,. Boston, Massachusetts
"I loved the whole thing! It was a true culinary adventure with great food and wine, lots of hands on cooking, and plenty of great Chianti wines! I would highly recommend anyone who want to learn more about Tuscan cooking this weeklong experience! This is THE opportunity to learn how to cook delicious Italian meals in an unparalelled environment. Being in a Castle from the 12th century and staying in a villa overlooking Florence and the Duomo is just amazing. If you have the chance, take it. The site is wonderful and the chefs, the guides and the staff are just fantastic!"
Linda C.
"The food made by our group was fabulous. The chef was a marvelous teacher, with an enthusiastic, great personality. Our international class was a delight. The hands-on learning was great."
Dawn K., Cary, Illinois
"If you're going to Firenze, don't miss the opportunity to take one or two classes at this Villa. It's outside of Florence and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Villa is beautiful and should not be missed. Meaghan and Elizabeth are great hosts and you will be in great hands with two wonderful trained chefs who are extremely friendly, very enthusiastic and will even make a novice feel very comfortable in the kitchen. There's no better way to learn about the Tuscan cuisine than from this kitchen. Since arriving home I've made panacotta, ricotta cake as well as chicken with olives and white wine and the bruschetta. The home made pasta with sage and butter and tirimasu are next on my list and once autumn arrives, the wild boar stew will be made. Every dish was delizioso, the wines magnifico and the surroundings are breathtakingly beautiful." I am already planning to go back to Italy and will take more classes at the Villa."
Angela M.
"The classes were very informative and helpful. My favorite part of the day was sitting down to eat at the end of the class, with the kitchen fire blazing! Everything was just perfect. I have already made some of the dishes I learnt in the classes – I have already made the pork with Fennel and Shallots, the Pappa Pomodoro, Ravioli Medici with Ragù Classico and the Crostada with Apple. I enjoyed the variety of cooking classes and tour days, it was a nice pace. Every trip was wonderful. Everyone at home is so envious of my cooking trip of a lifetime! Thank you for all your kindness and help. It was a most memorable 40th birthday!"
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