Tuscan cookery

1-day class

Spend the day learning how to prepare some of the most delicious typical Tuscan dishes. The traditional cusine ranges from a wide variety of classical meat-based recipes to interesting ways of preparing vegetables in season. A "delicious" way of discovering Tuscany's colourful history and traditions. We also propose revisited traditional cuisine with new techniques for preparing and presenting dishes. The classes are given by professional chefs.

Courses take place in the kitchen of our traditional "casa colonica" situated in the peaceful and picturesque village of San Donnino. From the house you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Val d'Elsa, with San Gimignano in the distance.

After the class you will have the opportunity to sit down and enjoy the meal you have just prepared, served by our team.

Each lesson lasts 3 hours.

Lessons are in English and Italian, with interpretation as required.
All participants receive an apron and booklet of recipes.
You may take a course of one or more lessons.

Please let us know in advance if you would like to learn about any particular dish so that all tastes can be satisfied.

Optional market visit, in which you buy the ingredients for the meal.
Optional after-lunch excursions to local wineries or other attractions by arrangement.
Non-participant lunch guests are welcome at an extra charge.
Transport to San Donnino from your accommodation by arrangement.

Residential courses

Tuscan Affairs offers five-day residential cookery courses. The courses offer the ideal combination of learning and practice, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the captivating landscapes of Tuscany. Our courses are suitable for all levels or experience. Those starting out will learn plenty of new skills and more experienced cooks will be able to expand their knowledge. Mornings are generally devoted to hands-on tuition in the chef’s own inimitable Italian style, with English interpretation when needed. All courses will include excursions e.g.:

Local food market
Chianti wine estate
Cheese farm
Mid-week trip to Florence, Siena or San Gimignano
Trips to nearby mediaeval villages

Pizza evening: help prepare your own pizza straight out of a traditional oven

The course is available based on a variety of themes:
- Vegetarian - Tuscan farm cooking is traditionally based on vegetables, as live animals were a valuable source of income. Vegetarian or not, you will learn about simple but subtle combinations of delicious foods.
- Grape harvest - (September) The highlight of this course is a day in a Tuscan vineyard taking part in the grape harvest. The cookery course features a number of recipes based on grapes and wine.
- Olive harvest - (November) This course centres around a day in a Tuscan olive grove taking part in the olive harvest, eat lunch by the olive grove and witness the olive pressing at the mill. You will take home a bottle of oil made from the olives that you helped pick. The cookery course features a number of recipes based on olive oil and olives.

For more information on the above please contact us. Click here for photos.