When you want to experience Tuscany as a local, experiencing all the beauty and aromas and flavors like a local Tuscan would, you must visit us in the golden hills. Our classes immerse you in the local culture where you will enjoy a culinary experience like no other. Cooking and tasting opportunities change daily and with each meal. Let us change your relationship with food.
Our classes are designed to impart the real flavor of Tuscan cuisine. If you’re looking for professional chefs, you won’t find them here. You will not find any chefs in tall white hats, or electric appliances in our kitchens, no fancy blenders, and there are no food processors used; everything is done by hand. Our cooking school is based on local cooking. We go to the real source of the cooking traditions. Our classes are taught by local Tuscan women. The mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and wives who know what real traditional Tuscan cooking is all about. The kitchen is busy with wooden spoons and women who look and act like a distant family member. Each woman teaches and entertains differently; each is unforgettable.
Dates Available
Class Dates 2019
| May 5 – 11 | Full |
| May 12 – 18 | Full |
| May 19 – 25 | Full |
| May 26 – Jun 1 | Full |
| June 2 – 8 | Full |
| June 9 – 15 | Full |
| June 16 – 22 | Full |
| Sep 1 – 7 | Full |
| Sep 8 – 14 | Full |
| Sep 15– 21 | Full |
| Sep 22 – 28 | Full |
| Sep 29 – Oct 5 | Full |
| Oct 6 – 12 | Full |
Class Dates 2020
| May 3 – 9 | Full |
| May 10 – 16 | Open |
| May 17 – 23 | Full |
| May 24 – 30 | Full |
| June 7 – 13 | Full |
| June 14 – 20 | Full |
| June 21 – 27 | Full |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | Full |
| Sep 6 – 12 | Full |
| Sep 13– 19 | Full |
| Sep 20 – 26 | Full |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | Full |
| Oct 4 – 10 | Full |
Class Dates 2021
| May 2 – 8 | Open |
| May 9 – 15 | Open |
| May 16 – 22 | Open |
| May 23 – 29 | Open |
| June 6 – 12 | Open |
| June 13 – 19 | Open |
| June 20 – 26 | Open |
| Aug 29 – Sep 4 | Open |
| Sep 5 – 11 | Open |
| Sep 12 – 18 | Open |
| Sep 19 – 25 | Open |
| Sep 26 – Oct 2 | Open |
| Oct 3 – 9 | Open |
Booking & Cost Information
Accommodations:
Beautiful Montefollonico, Italy
Stay at our modern Villa in Montefollonico. Your home for the week will be La Chiusa Hotel and Restaurant. A 400 year old olive mill with views of the Tuscan countryside. La Chiusa is the best hotel in the area–5-star accommodations with the best view in Montefollonico.
Our program fits all levels of cooks. Class sizes range from 10 – 16 people and all skill levels-just enough, but not too many.
Costs:
All-Inclusive Program
$3850 per person for our 6-night 7-day all-inclusive program, based on double occupancy. There is an extra fee of $300 for single supplemental. Cost includes 6 nights at La Chiusa in Montefollonico, hands-on cooking classes, all meals, wine and receptions, excursions, tours, bus tours, and all gratuities. Take our complimentary bus from the train station to our village on Sunday and Saturday. In other words…as long as you are with the group, you pay for “nothing” –except for your souvenirs! Airfare and airport transfers are not included. We accept checks and credit cards.
No other program provides the personal service or includes all of the things we do in 1-week!
Deposit
$500 required at the time of booking. The balance is due 120 days before start of the program.
Cancellation Policy
150 days before start of program – full refund
149 days to 90 days before start of program – 50% refund
90 days before start of program you will unfortunately forfeit 100% of your payment.
BUT… if you do not cancel, and only want to change your date–and you notify us of this change before your arrival date, we can change this for you without any charge and without losing your deposit or payment–assuming we have availability. You wont find a more generous refund policy!
Refund policy based on original booked date. Time restrictions apply.
Our Friends
Meet the people behind the food.
Paola
Sandra & Ulysis
Nicola
Antonietta & Danielli
Lorella
Elena & Simone
Geraldine
Dania
Antonella
Flavio & Lara
Pierre Paulo
Elisa
Sample Schedule Of Your Cooking Vacation
SUNDAY
A view to die for
Arrive on our free shuttle from the train station
Check in at La Chiusa Hotel in Montefollonico
6:30 pm Prosecco and Aperitivo on the terrace overlooking Mount Amiata at La Chiusa
6-course welcome dinner
MONDAY
Cooking Under the Tuscan Sun
Cooking class and lunch in Cortona with Antonietta
Roll pasta and make crostatas under the main street of Cortona in a 700-year old palace
Walk and shop on the streets of Francis May’s “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Visit Saint Margherita Cathedral–where Saint Margherita lies in state
5-course wine-paired dinner in Montefollonico
TUESDAY
A Pope, a Roman Bath & Pici
Cooking class with Elena.
Dance and sing as we roll Pici and grill Bistecca Fiorentina
Enjoy our lunch with wines paired by our world-class sommelier
Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites and stop at famous Tuscan movie settings
Let George serve you the best gelato in Tuscany
Shopping in Pienza
Dinner in Pienza prepared by the “understudy” of Gordon Ramsey
WEDNESDAY
Wine Dinner, Truffles, and Shopping
Cooking class & Lunch at La Chiusa
Roll Pasta, grill chicken, bake eggplant Parmesan, and prepare panna cotta
Shopping and underground tour in Montepulciano
Tour the ancient Etruscan caves under the hilltop village
Truffle Hunting to gather our truffles for dinner
Enjoy a Tuscan hay-ride thru the ancient vineyards
7-course dinner with 7-different wines in a 300-year old vineyard
THURSDAY
Cheese, Bread and Pizza
Bread-making class at a local farm
Bake and eat fresh Focaccia out of a 300-year old brick oven
Make cheese with a master cheese maker–and eat the same cheese for lunch!
Tasting lunch with 9-different artisanal cheeses while enjoying the best view of Pienza and Montecchiello
Pizza night at La Chiusa. 5-different Italian pizzas prepared in our kitchen by our pizza maker
FRIDAY
Raviolli and Wine.
Cooking class with our Michelin-starred Chef
Learn to make raviolli, gnocchi, and home-cooked gelato
Lunch outside with a fantastic view and incredible wine
Wine tasting with a world-class sommelier
Visit our local market and shop for local items you used throughout the week
7-course farewell dinner at La Chiusa
SATURDAY
Arrivederci!
Enjoy another fantastic breakfast.
Take our free shuttle to the train station.
Leisure departure in the morning.
“Arrivederci e viaggi sicuri.” Goodbye and safe travels.
