This program will give you an idea of what we cover during the week, though often we switch around the actual order of the weeks activities based on availability, prior group bookings, special requests made by the participants etc. We can also program some of the cooking classes in the evenings to give you more free time during the day and on these days, if you are needing assistance in organizing additional activities then we will only be too happy to assist you.

During the week you will have a wonderful 'Introduction to Tuscan Cuisine'. We will discuss the history of the Tuscan diet, typical dishes,Tuscan bread, peasant foods, and how the gastronomy has changed throughout the medieval and renaissance periods up until modern times.

Cooking Days- Each day you will prepare a five course meal

'I primi piatti' -Risotto's , soups , gnocchi and fresh handmade pasta

'You will focus on pasta' – what would Italy be without it?!

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.

Risotto's- what makes a great risotto? The do's and dont's, shortcuts and the broths.

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. The combinations are endless!

'Seasonal Cooking' and 'Antipasti & 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.

'Secondi and Contorni'

These are the meat, fish and game dishes accompanied by vegetables and flans.