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Cookery course in Tuscany - 19th- 24th June 2011
This year we are going back to Tuscany for another 5-day cookery course which will take place from Sunday 19th to Friday 24th June 2011. We will be staying in a charming hamlet (borgo) in the gorgeous Sienese countryside, surrounded by a typical Tuscan landscape.
Immersing yourself in an authentic environment
Situated just 7 miles outside Siena, the small hamlet is surrounded by olive trees and offers beautiful views of the Chianti vineyards, woods of oak and colourful broom. The Borgo has been renovated in a cosy and tasteful style and offers accommodation in simple double bedrooms and charming apartments, each with en-suite bathroom. It has attractive communal internal and al fresco living spaces as well as an outdoor swimming pool.
A complete food & culture experience
The trip will not only be a complete food experience but will also have an extra touch of sightseeing. In addition to at least one hands-on cookery class per day, we will also be exploring the region by visiting Siena and its small and elegant synagogue. We will then visit exclusive and beautiful villas and estates in the surrounding countryside, take part in a Chianti Classico wine and olive oil tasting, visit an organic goats cheese farm, and much more... There will also be plenty of time for you to relax. Yoga is available for the early birds and horse riding can be arranged on request. The atmosphere is, as usual, expected to be friendly and informal.
There will be 6 cookery classes, of which 3 will be taught by Silvia and the other classes by 3 different local chefs or cooks who will share their regional specialties and love of good food with you. The classes will focus on traditional Tuscan home-cooking, freshly made pasta and the finest vegetables and fresh ingredients. All cookery classes and meals will be vegetarian with the exception of two of Silvia’s classes, one of which will include fish and, the other, kosher meat from Rome. The premises however won't be kosher.
The finer details
The price is £1,360 per person which includes 5 nights accommodation with breakfast and all meals, 6 cookery classes (a complete programme with full details is available), a tutored wine and goat cheese tasting, and transportation throughout your stay (including transfers to and from Pisa International Airport). The price excludes flights (I suggest flying to Pisa), and is based on a double/twin occupancy basis. For single use of a double/twin bedroom the cost is an extra £120.
The cookery course is limited to 10-12 people depending on the bedroom arrangements.
Reservations & receiving more information
To book your place or to receive a detailed programme, please e-mail Silvia directly on silvia@cookingforthesoul.com or call: + 44 (0) 7867 802169.
Personalised Tuscan cooking courses
Silvia can also organise personalised cookery courses ad hoc. So, if you are interested in going on a private cookery trip and course to Italy with family or a group of friends, Silvia will be delighted to organise a tailored course with you around specific dates. Silvia’s personalised courses are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, hen weekends or just a great course in Italy because you love or simply want to learn more about Italian cooking & food!
Previous courses: reviews & images
Below are a few first hand reviews and pictures from previous courses:
Location and People
Fresh Pasta
Other hands-on classes
Truffle hunt and pizza making
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge
Reviews
“This was such fun from the start. I loved the beautiful farmhouse with its traditional kitchen, where we made delicious food, then ate it on long tables all together in the shade of the dining hall. Silvia was a marvellous teacher, so thoughtful...Nothing was too much trouble, and her attention to detail was amazing. Thank you Silvia for introducing me to the region and its wonderful dishes - all kosher too!”
Sandra, Umbria 2008
“As one of the two men on the course, I fully participated and learnt so much as well as having had great time. The right mix of cooking, eating, drinking, relaxing and sightseeing. Great teachers, great mix of participants.”
Leslie, Umbria 2008
“I want to say how much I enjoyed our recent course in Amelia...You gave us a wonderful insight into good Italian cooking and the diversity of other superb cooks who brought with them great ideas for us to indulge in. I enjoyed each class and not just the joy of watching but hands on and getting the feel of the ingredients, the fun of making pasta to the fish dish, all so interesting and utterly delicious...You thought of absolutely everything to make our stay so special. To go on a course like this has always been my dream - now it is a memory but I can recollect little snippets each day as I cook with a smile on my face.”
Loraine, Umbria 2008
“Silvia is inspirational both as a teacher and as a cook. Her thoughtfulness made it a delightful experience.
Even if you have never been in a kitchen before you will enjoy it!... And it was excellent value for the cost.”
Raymond, Umbria 2008
“I have always wanted to attend a cookery course in Italy, but was never able to do so because of Kosher issues. This course was perfect, consisting of mainly vegetarian and fish dishes, with one kosher meat meal. The location was idyllic, the instructors all with different styles and yet passionate about food, and the entire experience was a joy from beginning to end.”
Brenda, Umbria 2008
“This course was the culmination of all my expectations about what a cookery course should be. Great food, great wine, a great company and many laughs. Really loved it.”
Judith, Umbria 2009
“In all, a wonderful adventure, never to be forgotten. Thank you Silvia for making it possible to see real people cooking real food in Italy…and Kosher! Your wonderful and patient teaching has continued to inspire me. Taking us into people’s homes, being treated to their generous hospitality and learning from them was one of the many highlights of the course for me. When I think about it all, the beautiful Umbrian scenery with its magnificent olive groves and vineyards, the delicious food and wonderful company. I wonder if my dream was even half as good as what I experienced in real life. It wasn’t just about the cooking, it was about the love of cooking which has left its mark on me.”
Sue, Umbria 2009
“This was a great experience, different to anything I’ve tried before. A good mix of learning, relaxing and visiting some beautiful places in the Tuscan countryside. Definitely recommended, even for the most novice cooks”
Barbara, Tuscany 2010
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole week, visiting different ‘farms’ and eating such wonderful food was a real treat, I really cannot fault any part of the time we spent in Tuscany. Every thought was given to our enjoyment and comfort by your wonderful advance planning, well done Silvia! If I am able to go on another trip I would not hesitate to go, and I have also recommended this trip to all my ‘walking’ friends (20!). Thanks again for a really marvellous week, and also special thanks to our hosts Orsa and her family and June”
Jacqui, Tuscany 2010
“My cooking trip to Tuscany with Silvia was a lovely time for me to enjoy what I like doing most– cooking. Silvia has a passion for food and for Italy and that was evident in everything she did. The location was lovely and the food delicious. I would not hesitate in recommending Silvia and the experience”
Claire, Tuscany 2010
“Our cookery course in Tuscany was more than just a cookery course. Our outings to an organic goat farm, to the Palio rehearsal in Siena, to Monaciano, to a food market etc. all added to an experience of enormous pleasure and understanding of the Italian way of life. We also extended our range of recipes and ate the delicious food we had prepared under expert tuition”
Sandra, Tuscany 2010
“A very enjoyable and leisurely way to enjoy and learn something of the cuisine and culture of the region”
Geoffrey, Tuscany 2010
| If you are interested in receiving updates about Silvia's forthcoming cookery courses in Italy, please contact Silvia. Thanks!
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