Culinary & Wine Tours> Italy> Villa San Michele Cookery School

Italy: Villa San Michele Cookery School
Florence, Italy - 2-5 nights

Choose from an array of exciting culinary programs at the beautiful and reputable Villa San Michele Cookery School in Florence, Italy.

The School is now a permanent institution with an extraordinary reputation, a fact well-known to the Gourmets who have followed it from the start, to the Chefs who hold their lessons here, and to the Guests at the Villa who now love our Hotel even more thanks to its culinary calendar.

Make the personal acquaintance of great cooks and renowned experts in gastronomy. Wines, oils, first courses, seasonal vegetables,  white and red meats, fish and crustaceans, follow one another in a kaleidoscope of tastes and aromas. A tempting opportunity, whether alone or in company, to blend the delights of the table and the pleasures of an enchanting holiday with a panoramic view of Florence in the background.

Below are our programs prepared with the finest ingredients. In response to enormous demand, we are offering a series of great return visits of our renowned master Chefs. There will also be lots of delightful moments, some deigned for Italian gourmets and others prepared specially for those foreigners who wish to experience Italy also through its cuisine…

There are courses for singles and for children… for those who love first courses or who want to learn the art of decorating the table. A truly complete bouquet.

Active Gourmet Goes Tuscan - In collaboration with the Villa San Michele Cookery School, Active Gourmet Holidays is proud to announce this special holiday in gourmet paradise. Combine the discovery of the countryside with tastings of typical products, shopping, wine tastings and cookery lessons. The program is perfect for nourishing body and soul with a range of irresistible temptations, from vineyards to shopping… Never a dull moment!

Day 1 Upon arrival, a welcome cocktail and dinner with regional wines, in order to get to know the other participants in the Course.

Day 2 A meeting with the Chef of Villa San Michele, Attilio Di Fabrizio: the first lesson in the kitchen followed by lunch - all together - based on the specialities prepared in the morning. In the afternoon, relaxation by the pool or a stroll through the gardens of the Villa, which apart from being one of the world’s most beautiful hotels was once a 16th-century monastery whose façade is attributed to Michelangelo…

Day 3 Excursion to Chianti: first to Greve in Chianti, for a visit to the Antica Macelleria Falorni, with a tasting of various sausages, a special Tuscan salami flavoured with fennel, and the house wines. The Falorni is a historic pork butcher’s founded in 1729, still world famous for its sausages and noble Tuscan prosciutto. This is followed by a transfer to the Capannelle winery in Gaiole in Chianti, surrounded by marvelous countryside dotted with cypresses and vineyards, for a guided tour of the refined cellars and a tasting of the superlative wines (“50&50”, white Chardonnay and Solare) and the oil made from the olives produced on the farm. Lunch at the luxurious farmhouse in Capannelle, with a country-style menu served by our butler. In the evening, a dinner with Tuscan wines in the Villa San Michele’s renowned restaurant, served either in the Loggia or in the Cloister.

Day 4 Second lesson on traditional Tuscan cuisine in Villa San Michele with Chef Attilio Di Fabrizio, followed by lunch - all together – based on the specialties prepared earlier. An afternoon spent shopping in the city’s finest boutiques accompanied by a personal shopper.

Day 6 Farewell to the Villa and departure after breakfast.

For their entire stay Guests will have at their disposal the boutiques of Florence (a mere 12 minutes away thanks to the hotel’s free private shuttle service that runs every 20 minutes), the pool and the gardens of Villa San Michele, and the exquisite cuisine of our top-flight restaurant, served in the Loggia or in the Cloister according to the weather and seasons. It’s a dream week: give yourself a treat, you are worth it!

Children's Cookery School - A compact course, tailored for children of 8 to 14 years: the lessons are specially designed to teach the fundamental points of nutrition, to sharpen the senses and arouse curiosity, to explore the “circus of sweets”, to recognize fresh foods and to learn how to cook “real” dishes, including hors d’oeuvres! With an additional advantage: the chance to visit Florence … thus leaving parents with some free time for relaxation.
Day 1, a welcome drink for all the family on arrival at Villa San Michele, followed by dinner in the Hotel restaurant.
Day 2 is free for the parents: the children’s lessons begin with Chef Attilio Di Fabrizio, who will examine some fresh produce, talk about aromatic herbs and their use in cooking, and then show how to some dishes. A swim in the pool, and then lunch, all together, based on the dishes prepared in the morning. In the afternoon, the “Circus of Sweets” with the Chief Pastry Cook: two desserts will be prepared to be enjoyed with the parents. The lessons end with afternoon tea and the presentation of the diplomas. Then everyone will go off for dinner in the Hotel restaurant.
Day 3 is free for visits to Florence or for relaxation. Dinner in the Hotel restaurant. Departure on the following morning, after breakfast. Each child taking part will be given a personalized chef’s hat and apron.

Italian Intermezzo with Sharon O'Connor -
The famous creator of “Italian Intermezzo”- a collection of recipes to the sound of music - has organized at The Villa San Michele School of Cookery a week devoted to the table, to taste, to beauty and to Florence. An extraordinary cultural and gastronomic experience… 

Day 1 Upon arrival, transfer from Florence airport, a welcome cocktail and dinner with regional wines, in order to get to know the other participants in the Course.

Day 2 A meeting with the Chef of Villa San Michele, Attilio Di Fabrizio, and Chef Luca Orini: the first lesson in the kitchens to the sound of music followed by lunch all together, based on the specialities cooked in the morning. In the afternoon, a second cookery lesson, devoted to the art of fruit carving. What better way to decorate dishes and the table in general? An à la carte dinner in the hotel restaurant: remember to book!

Day 3 Excursion to the Capannelle winery in Gaiole in Chianti, with a guided tour of the refined cellars and a tasting of the superlative wines. Lunch at the farmhouse in Capannelle, with a country-style menu served by our butler.

Day 4 Second lesson on traditional Tuscan cuisine in Villa San Michele with Chefs Attilio and Luca, followed by lunch - all together – based on the specialities prepared earlier. In the evening, a cocktail in the bar of the Villa and an unforgettable Renaissance-style dinner featuring decor and dishes inspired by Caterina de’ Medici, served and enlivened by waiters and musicians in costume.

Singles Cooking School - Living “alone” demands different daily standards: for example, knowing how to prepare tasty dishes for yourself and your friends. This Course teaches simple and flavorsome recipes, so agreeable that they keep you company… and you immediately feel a bit less single.
Finally someone has thought about it … And it has been done the way only Villa San Michele knows how! Because living “alone” demands unique and special everyday standards. This is a different cuisine, in which you have to know how to prepare tasty dishes for yourself, often quickly and in single portions; but it also shows you how create a dinner or brunch for friends, or how to improvise an attractive dish for an unexpected guest.
This Course, held by our Chef Attilio Di Fabrizio, is devoted exclusively to singles, and teaches a variety of simple, appealing and flavorsome recipes. A seductive cuisine, from all points of view, to be enjoyed alone or in company. Between one lesson and another, the Course leaves participants with time to visit Florence, relax in the Hotel, and to socialize with the other singles… A tempting opportunity, shall we say? The Course is held simultaneously in both English and Italian.

A Symphony of Pasta for Three Authors - Florence, Ravello, Venice… Three great Chefs interpret the most classic and creative dish of the Italian tradition through the unmistakable notes of the most flavour conscious cities and regions of Northern, Southern and Central Italy.
These three masters of haute cuisine will explain some exquisite recipes: Attilio Di Fabrizio (Executive Chef at the Villa San Michele), Domenico di Raffaelle (Chef of the Hotel Caruso, Ravello) and Renato Piccolotto (Chef of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice).
Discover the secrets of pasta, an art in itself that Italy has made its own, and how to accompany it with a wide variety of condiments and the tastiest ingredients.

Day 1  Attilio Di Fabrizio, the Chef of the Villa San Michele, will interpret and prepare pasta in  the most genuine Tuscan manner, assisted by Chef Luca Orini. 

Day 2  Chef Domenico di Raffaelle of the Hotel Caruso in Ravello will produce the recipes of the Amalfi Coast, teaching participants how to prepare pasta dishes with a rich Mediterranean aroma. 

Day 3  Renato Piccolotto, the Chef of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, will present the pasta dishes typical of the Venetian lagoon, with its touches of land and sea, teaching you how to prepare four delicious dishes. Departure will be in the afternoon or after breakfast on the following morning, should you wish to pay for an extra night.
The price is inclusive of 3 nights (half board), regional wines, the lessons, and all materials and necessary ingredients.

*Courses are reserved for Guests staying in Villa San Michele
*All Courses are held in English and Italian; other languages are available upon request
*Courses are for a maximum of 10 participants and the approach is highly personalized

*The lessons are held in the morning (from 10.00 to 12.30) and/or in the afternoon (from 15.30 to 18.30) 
*Hours not taken up by lessons and all the evenings are free
*At the end of every lesson, the dishes prepared will be served for a meal (lunch or dinner) to be enjoyed in the company of the Chef

*The complete list of the dishes taught during the lessons with recipes will be handed over upon arrival

HOW TO ARRIVE

Closest Airports/Train Stations:

Florence Airport offers domestic and international flights and is 10km from the Villa San Michele.
Pisa Airport provides a wide range of international connections and is 90km from the Villa San Michele
Bologna Airport provides a range of domestic and international flights and is 115km from the Villa San Michele
Florence Santa Maria Novella Railway Station is a 15 minute drive from the hotel.

BOOKING INFORMATION
2008 FEES PER PERSON (US Exchange Rate ($) will be calculated on day of booking)	DEPOSIT
Active Gourmet Goes Tuscan (Five nights) € 2.917 in a superior double room € 3.567 in a double room for single use € 2.827 for non-participating companion Children's Cookery School (Three nights) € 2.979 for 2 parents with child in a superior double room € 4.434 for 2 parents with child in separate superior double rooms € 4.725 for 2 parents with 2 children in separate superior double rooms Sharon O'Connor (Five nights) € 3.579 in a superior double room € 4.229 in a double room for single use € 3.339 for non-participating companion Singles Cooking School- (Two nights) €   1.029 in a superior double room €   1.289 in a double room for single use €     939 for non-participating companion  A Symphony of Pasta for Three Authors (Three nights) € 1.798 in a superior double room € 2.188 in a double room for single use € 1.503 for a non-participating partner NOTE: 10% VAT must  be added to all prices above	After availability is confirmed, a deposit of 500€ per person (to be received within seven days from confirmation) and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date.
2008 DATES	INCLUDED
Active Gourmet Goes Tuscan October 12-17 Children's Cookery School   May 26-29 July 3-6 Sharon O'Connor   May 11-16 September 21-26 Singles Cooking School  April 27-29 July 20-22 A Symphony of Pasta for Three Authors  April 17-20 May 22-25 September 4-7 October 2-5	Active Gourmet Goes Tuscan Five (5) nights, all the activities in the program, the lessons, all materials and necessary ingredients Children's Cookery School Three (3) nights (half board) plus one afternoon tea for all the family, two (2) lessons for the child taking part, plus all materials and necessary ingredients Sharon O'Connor   Five (5) nights, all the activities in the program, two (2) lessons, all materials and necessary ingredients Singles Cooking School  Two (2) nights (half-board), regional wines, two (2) lessons, all materials and necessary ingredients A Symphony of Pasta for Three Authors  Three (3) nights (half board), regional wines, three (3) lessons, and all materials and necessary ingredients

For further inquiries or to register, click here.



CANCELLATION POLICY
*Full refund of all deposits for cancellations received 30 or more days in advance.
*100% cancellation fee will apply to cancellations received 29 days or less prior to
arrival date unless the hotel succeeded in reselling the room and the cooking courses.