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 have 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.
DAY ONE
ARRIVAL
From 2pm to 7pm: 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 5:00 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.
2024/2025 Fees Per Person
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM
Double Occupancy/Starting From US$1325
Single Occupancy/Starting From US$1650
Non cooking partner/Starting From US$825
NON RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS/Starting From US$250
*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.
Deposit
After availability is confirmed, a non-refundable 30% deposit and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full no less than 90 days prior to program start date.
2024/2025 Dates
Available April to October for minimum of 2 persons. Based on availability.
Included
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM
*Three (3) nights' accommodations in one of the eight double guest bedrooms (daily cleaning) Or twin upon request
*Rich buffet breakfast each morning
*One (1) welcome dinner
*Four (4) cooking classes with lunch or dinner afterwards (with our organic wines, Vinsanto and grappa)
*Guided tour of the abbey
*Apron, recipes, diploma
(All is included for a non cooking participant except for the cooking classes, apron, recipes and diploma)
NON-RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS
*Guided tour of the abbey
*Three hour cooking lesson
*Lunch with water, wines, coffee and grappa
*Recipes
Airfare, city tax (€2.00/night per person), transfers to/from the property, personal expenses, laundry services, phone calls, mini bar consumption, fax, extra tours not included in the program.
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.
Neda M., Beverly Hills, California
Susan S., New York City, New York
Susan B., Wenonah, New Jersey
"Dear Jo-Ann – I am so very glad we crossed paths. We had a wonderful time on our one day cooking experience. We could not have asked for better hosts. I have already recommended Active Gourmet Holidays to others."
Maureen S., Rumford, Maine
"Dear Jo-Ann - The cooking class was extraordinary. Guido was very personable, a great chef, just a lot of fun. We prepared a wonderful lunch and were served wonderful wines from Coltibouno. I enjoy your newsletter and forward it to my sister. Thanks for your expertise."
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