Italy: Cooking under the Tuscan sun
Italian culture is synonymous with the country’s passion for great cuisine. Food is at the heart of its celebration of life. All regions of Italy have their own unique traditional cooking methods and cuisines. Authentic culinary customs are passed down from generation to generation, evolving along the way. A well cooked dish brings joy and comfort to the Italian people, in harmony with their way of life, “La Dolce Vita”.
One such place to be in Italy is Tuscany. It is a food lover’s dream destination. Situated in central Italy, it has a beautiful countryside, green rolling hills, towns steeped in history and delicious cuisine. Alongside quaint villages and bustling towns, one passes by olive groves, vineyards, lemon bushes and orange trees. Chefs drum up the most exquisite recipes to satisfy the palate of the most discerning foodie. In combination with top quality wines that Tuscany produces, this region is an extremely popular culinary hotspot.
In response to this gastronomic demand, some Tuscan cities offer a chance to learn to cook in their style through a variety of cooking classes. Here, amateur as well as experienced chefs and visitors can enjoy a few hours or a week of cooking and tasting in the company of local chefs. Recipes range from antipasti to pasta, pizza and desserts. The ‘farm to table’ concept in preparation of the food is followed at many places. Each course is paired with appropriate wines, enhancing the enjoyment of the cuisine. In some places, villa accommodation is available, making the “cook and stay” vacation even more delightful!
The main cities offering the courses are Florence, San Gimignano, Chianti region and Montepulciano. Here are some of the popular classes for learning to cook under the Tuscan Sun!
Tuscookany is one of the top cooking schools in Italy, offering cooking classes as well as cooking vacations for those interested in learning about Tuscan and Italian cuisine. The classes are conducted by local chefs and designed as informal and fun experiences. The Tuscookany cooking schools are located at four estates: Bellorcia, Casa Ombuto, Torre del Tartufo and Bellancino. All of these are beautiful villas in the Tuscan countryside with breathtaking views. They have been tastefully renovated and include modern comforts.
Cooking courses range from one day, three days and one week. They are also combined with fitness, yoga and hiking itineraries. The multiple day courses are conducted with accommodation included at the luxurious villas. The kitchens are well equipped and the fellow guest cooks would be from all over the world.
The one day class includes a four course lunch menu including learning how to roll your own pasta! After you cook the meal, you can enjoy it with an Italian wine pairing.
The cooking class by Jul’s kitchen is conducted by a Tuscan home cook with a passion for creating culinary experiences based on traditional recipes passed down from her grandmother. The location is in her family home in the Sienese countryside.
The various options for the cooking classes are:
Market to table cooking class:
It incorporates a visit to a cafe for a cup of coffee and then to the market to choose fresh ingredients for cooking. In the kitchen studio, a Tuscan feast is prepared, from appetizers to dessert. You get to eat the prepared lunch, accompanied by the local Chianti wine, followed by homemade Limoncello.
Country cooking class:
This one too involves a full lunch menu, with the freshest natural produce, made in the traditional way. Fresh pasta is also part of the menu.
The other options are a 3 day course, a tailored class and a virtual class.
Good Tastes of Tuscany is a cooking school near Florence operating for more than 25 years. It offers authentic culinary vacations, starting from one day to a full week course. A private class as well as specialised classes for professional chefs are also available. The whole experience happens at their own historic Villa Pandolfini estate. It has a medieval castle and a Renaissance villa amongst a vineyard and olive trees.
The one day class is focused on teaching a full meal, including 5 to 6 courses. It comprises 2 antipasti, a first course including stuffed pasta, a main course with 2 side dishes, risotto and a delicious dessert. The menu is taught to reflect Tuscan flavours and methods. You get to enjoy the meal you have cooked accompanied by local wine and olive oil.
A copy of their ‘Ultimate Tuscan recipe book’ is given to each participant at the end of the course.
Founded in 1994, Toscana Saporita is a popular school near Lucca in Tuscany. It is based in an 18th century villa and welcomes students from all over the world. Amateurs to accomplished chefs attend the school for an ‘authentic and immersive culinary experience’. The instructors are well versed in the timeless traditions of Tuscan cooking.
There are daily courses as well as weeklong courses, some involving travel to neighbouring regions. The range of the recipes taught is incredible, right from antipasti to desserts.
Since 2002, Toscana Mia cooking school has been run by two sisters out of their home in the Chianti region of Tuscany. It teaches traditional home style Italian recipes in a wonderful atmosphere, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Dishes are prepared using fresh, organic ingredients, and menus take care of gluten free and vegetarian requests. Classes are offered for either 1 or 3 days duration.
Agriturismo Le Caggiole is situated in Montepulciano, a historical town in the heart of the wine country. The estate produces olive oil, wine, fruit jams and honey. The cooking school is run by Giacometti, the chef and sommelier of the property. The whole experience includes knowledge about choosing the correct fresh ingredients, and how to pair the food with the right wines.
The five course menu consists of appetizers, two types of fresh pasta, two sauces, a main course and a dessert. It translates to a complete food and wine journey in beautiful surroundings.
This school is run by Giuseppina and her passionate Italian family. It is situated in Certaldo, to the southeast of Florence. There is a choice of a full day or a half day cooking class. The full day class includes a visit to the local market to discover fresh ingredients, enjoy a coffee and a light lunch and then the cooking class.
In both cases, the menu consists of a traditional Italian meal which includes antipasti, fresh pasta, main course and dessert. Overall, it’s a great culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside.
The Relais La Chiusa is a 17 room boutique hotel and restaurant in Montefollonico, which is the heart of the Tuscan wine region. The beautiful property is set amidst an olive grove and a vineyard. The restaurant offers a ‘garden to table’ menu, using fresh locally sourced produce, prepared in the Tuscan tradition.
The cooking school, run by the hotel, offers a 1 day or a 6 day course. The classes are taught by local women, fondly known as ‘Nonna', who know what traditional Tuscan cooking is all about. Different types of pasta and desserts are taught at the class.
There are many more cooking schools in Tuscany. Enjoy a day ‘cooking under the Tuscan Sun’!
