Culinary & Wine Tours> Italy> Classico Cooking Classes

Italy: Classico Cooking Classes
(Option: Day Cooking Classes, 3 Night Traditional Tuscany Course)
Tuscany, Italy - 3 or 5 nights


Experience the lifestyle born from the spectacular hospitality at Badia a Coltibuono. Developed over the 20 years during which famous author and cookbook writer Lorenza de Medici ran her Villa Table programs, these weekly, residential courses are held in English in the summer and autumn. Lessons are taught by Lorenza’s youngest son, Guido Stucchi Prinetti, who has inherited his mothers love for food and ensures the continuity of the family tradition in the Coltibuono kitchen.

Certainly the most complete course on food and wine that Badia a Coltibuono offers, these 5 day cooking courses offer a chance to discover Tuscan and regional Italian cooking and lifestyle by combining cooking lessons with guided excursions to visit some of the regions’ best food artisans, markets and wineries. Thanks to Guido’s expertise students experience hands on cooking classes and a wide range of guided excursions throughout the area that include local butcheries, cheese makers and other wineries that will not only enhance their knowledge of the regional cuisine, but teach them about the wines and lifestyle of Chianti and Italy in general.

Each Classico Cooking course is unique as they are formulated in accordance with the season, so no two cooking courses are quite the same. In July, we run our most popular week-long course in concurrence with the famous and historic Palio horse race in Siena. After the mornings’ cooking lesson, students will set off for the medieval city of Siena where  they are guaranteed the best seats in the “campo” to assist in what is one of the worlds’ oldest and most fascinating horse race.

Guests make their own way to Italy to meet in Florence on the first day of the course week where transportation and our guide will meet you. On the final course day, guests will be brought back to the Florence train station (by 11 a.m.). If you wish, you can make your own way to Badia a Coltibuono by car where there is ample parking. The fee is all inclusive: the gastronomic program, lodging, tastings, transportation for all excursions and meals away from Coltibuono.

Badia a Coltibuono has 8 double guest bedrooms all with ensuite bathroom. Each room has it's own unique charm, in décor and style reflecting the elegance of the surroundings. As Badia a Coltibuono is still a private residence and does not have a night porter, arrivals after 7:30 pm are not accepted.

Five Night Classico Cooking Program

Wednesday

From 2pm to 6 pm: Guests can arrive at Coltibuono on their own or be picked up by us  at the Florence train station at 4 pm. Upon arrival guests are shown to their rooms and made comfortable.

At 7 pm an aperitif is served in  the frescoed refectory so that the group can meet the chef and other members of the class before the dinner, served in the private halls of the abbey.

Thursday

Breakfast is served from 8 am. At 10 am the first cooking lesson will start in Coltibuono’s Family kitchen. Participants will prepare a whole menu including bread and dessert which will be enjoyed accompanied by a selection of wines that best pair with the dishes. In the afternoon a trip is planned to some local artisan food producers to discover how some of the regions finest hand crafted pecorino cheeses and other specialties are produced before dinner as house guests in farms of the area.

Friday

After breakfast the students will have their second cooking lesson in the kitchen followed by lunch. At 4 pm the group is taken on a comprehensive visit of Coltibuono’s vineyards and fermentation cellar. The afternoon includes a guided walk through the vineyards,  and an in-depth explanation of winemaking from the vineyard to the bottle. Students can see first hand the processes involved in wine making to gain a fuller understanding on how hand-crafted wines come into being and taste wines at their various stages of development. Dinner will find us in one of the regions  best rated restaurants.

Saturday

Following breakfast students go shopping to the local organic food market with chef Guido to choose ingredients for a garden buffet lunch. Stroll the streets of Montevarchi and sip cappuccino taking in some local scenery or maybe visit the 19th century museum of paleonthology before returning to Coltibuono to sample the freshly bought produce stopping along the way to visit Europe’s largest collection of roses. In the evening all can try their hand at making pizza, bread and focaccia in Coltibuono’s traditional wood fired oven and eat in the main courtyard while listening to live music.

Sunday

After a leisurely breakfast, feel free to enjoy our gardens and swimming pool or stroll in the over 800 hectares of pristine woodland before meeting at our estate restaurant for an al-fresco lunch. The last cooking lesson will start at 5 pm followed by a graduation dinner and final frolicks.

Three Night Traditional Tuscany Program

An intensive 2 day / 3 night residential course where students are introduced to some of the most authentic traditional Tuscan dishes.

The course develops over 2 days of morning and afternoon cooking classes.

In each class, students, through a hand’s on teaching method, are taught how to prepare a full menu including breads, appetisers, first and second courses, side dishes and desserts. The classes are held in Coltibuono’s family kitchen where enticing aromas and flavours, which characterize traditional Tuscan cooking, are enjoyed. Special attention is also given to wine appreciation and to how best combine wine and food.

Thursday

From 2pm to 6 pm: Guests can arrive at Coltibuono on their own or be picked up by us  at the Florence train station at 4 pm. Upon arrival guests are shown to their rooms and made comfortable. At 7 pm an aperitif is served in  the frescoed refectory so that the group can meet the chef and other members of the class before the dinner, served in the private halls of the abbey.

Friday

Breakfast is served from 8 am. At 10 am the first cooking lesson will start in Coltibuono’s Family kitchen. Participants will prepare a whole menu including bread and dessert which will be enjoyed accompanied by a selection of wines that best pair with the dishes. In the afternoon some free time can be enjoyed by swimming in our large outdoor pool, strolling through the monumental renaissance gardens or by taking a leisurely walk in our pristine forests which are criss-crossed by walking paths. In the evening the second cooking lesson will start at 5pm and will be followed by dinner.

Saturday

After breakfast the group is taken on a comprehensive visit of Coltibuono’s vineyards and fermentation cellar. The morning includes a guided walk through the vineyards,  and an in-depth explanation of winemaking from the vineyard to the bottle. Students can see first hand the processes involved in wine making to gain a fuller understanding on how hand-crafted wines come into being and taste wines at their various stages of development. lunch will find us at Coltibuono’s estate restaurant for an al-fresco lunch. At 5 pm the third cooking lesson will begin in the family kitchen followed by a farewell dinner.

Sunday

Departure /transfer to Florence central train station  after breakfast by
10:30 am

Day Cooking Classes

A unique chance to learn classical regional Italina cuisine through a hands-on approach in Coltibuono's kitchen. Students will learn to prepare a full menu and enjoy it with a sampling of our wines and exra-virgin olive oils during lunch.

Hands-on cooking classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 3:30 pm by appointment only, or on other days of the week for pre-formed groups of at least 6 participants and a maximum of 14. Students will learn to prepare a full menu and enjoy it with a sampling of our wines and extra-virgin olive oils during lunch.

Program for the day
10:00am -- Start of the class in Coltibuono’s family kitchen
12:45pm – Aperitif served in the 16th century frescoed refectory
1:00pm -- Lunch in the private dining room of the Villa
3.00pm -- Guided visit of the cloisters, historical wine cellars and formal garden.
3:30pm -- Departure

HOW TO ARRIVE

Closest Airports/Train Stations:

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CANCELLATION POLICY

The initial deposit will be refunded (less booking fees) if notice of cancellation is received 90 days prior to the start of class; after that, payments will be refunded if and when operator is able to fill the vacated place.



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