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Good
Tastes of Tuscany
. . . learn to enjoy la dolce vita
 That
easygoing Italian way of life that visitors find so
alluring and desirable, la dolce vita, is indisputably
linked to the Italians' instinctive knowledge of how
to drink and eat well. In today's society, many ancient
culinary traditions and characteristics of Italy's distinct
regional cuisines are still commonplace, even more so
here than other parts of Europe. Traditional recipes
passed down through the family are worth their weight
in gold. The dinner table is the scene of many conversations,
debates and decisions; favourite foods evoke happy memories,
good health and comfort. The saying that Italians live
to eat while the rest of the world eats to live still
rings true today.
The
Good Tastes of Tuscany cooking and wine classes have
been designed to expose you to an intimate side of the
Italian lifestyle that is so appealing to all. Their
tours expose you to the best that Tuscany has to offer.
Spend
a fruitful day in an original gallery kitchen of the
Thirteenth century Villa Pandolfini with hands-on instruction
by one of the professional Italian chefs. The menus
vary according to the seasonal cuisine and are universally
appealing. The goal is to expose you to all of the Good
Tastes of Tuscany. You are guaranteed an unforgettable
experience. Learn great recipes and techniques to add
to your own collection. Share the memory of your holiday
with your friends and family. The classes allow you
to take home a little bit of Italy with you.
The
Philosophy of Good Tastes of Tuscany
They
believe that Tuscan cuisine is one of the most universal
and best loved because of its fresh ingredients and
rich historical context. Tuscan cooking courses in a
rustic, authentic atmosphere should be widely available
to any and all interested parties at affordable prices,
regardless of cooking experience, knowledge of the region
or proficiency in the Italian language.
Cooking
Tours
Good
Tastes of Tuscany offer a number of different itineraries
to suit participants of all cooking levels, from the
novice to the advanced. Whether your question is "I
just want to know how to keep my spaghetti from sticking
together" or "I want to know the proper
time to grate the white truffles", Good Tastes
of Tuscany has a course to suit your taste. They have
created an intimate setting to provide the ultimate
learning environment and thier class sizes reflect this.
All cooking classes are hands-on, use the freshest of
ingredients and sample the olive oil and wine produced
directly on the grounds of the Villa Pandolfini in abundance!
Italy,
a country of great diversity, is made up of twenty provinces.
Each has a very unique personality, with dialect, customs,
traditions, architecture and of course food and wine
that vary greatly from region to region. From the hot,
dry south to the cool alpine foothills, the regional
cuisines are as varied as the climates. The golden hills
of saffron in the Abruzzi lend a zesty spice to local
risotto, while the bay of Naples is renowned for its
frutti di mare and mozzarella di bufala.
Visitors to Tuscany can sample rustic delicacies like
truffles and porcini mushrooms in the autumn, hearty
soups in the winter and lemony colomba cakes or asparagus
risotto in the spring around Easter. The Good Tastes
of Tuscany can be found in any season.
Good
Tastes of Tuscany wants you to experience the best that
living in Tuscany provides. They offer a well versed
program of culinary delights with three different cooking
courses:
- A
First Taste of Tuscany which is our most popular class,
an introduction class to authentic Tuscan cuisine.
- For
the gourmand looking to expand their repertoire there
is An Italian Immersion, the advanced Tuscan cooking
class.
- For
those looking for the entire culinary experience there
is the Bella Toscana which is customised two and three
day programs.
Whether
it is a single day experience or a week long cooking
holiday Good Tastes of Tuscany seeks to provide you
with an unforgettable experience that you will cherish
for years to come.
- A
First Taste of Tuscany - introduction to Tuscan Cuisine
Enjoy
a full day, hands-on cooking lesson with chefs Lisa
and Maurizio for an introduction to authentic Tuscan
recipes. Discover step-by-step how to make a satisfying,
full Italian meal from appetizers to dessert, including
the art of making pasta fresca. Learn to create
such pastas as ravioli, tagliettli, and gnocchi
in this fun, hands-on pasta-making adventure. After
you prepare your pasta, Lisa and Maurizo will prepare
tantalizing sauces such as fresh basil pesto, Carbonara,
Ragout of wild mushrooms and sweet onions and an
array of other sauces to use with it. Recipes vary
according to the season, utilizing only the freshest
ingredients available and providing you with a deeply
individual Tuscan experience. The best part is the
conclusion, indulging in the success of your creations.
- Bella
Toscana! - two and three day advanced courses in Tuscan
cuisine
This
class is dedicated to those who desire a more detailed
kitchen experience. Spend two full days learning
to prepare specialty dishes from the Tuscany region
in Italy. Learn to distinguish the varieties of
breads, cheeses and meats from different areas of
this well known region. Each day you will explore
a complete menu that addresses the ingredients,
techniques and traditions of Tuscan Italian kitchens
and what makes this region so special. Three day
classes include a shopping excursion with one of
our chefs to learn all the secrets of finding the
best produce and meats available.
Each
class is uniquely designed to meet the needs of
the participants. If you are interested in a specific
menu, shopping excursion or private cooking tour
then you only need to ask and Good Tastes of Tuscany
will be happy to accommodate your needs.
- Villa
Pandolfini Gastronomical Adventure - seven day culinary
and cultural programme
This
culinary program has been designed for lovers of
Tuscany and all that it represents - the charming
medieval towns, the centuries old traditions, the
people and their culture, the art and of course,
the great food and wine!
Good
Tastes of Tuscany have spent time with their chefs
to create a week dedicated to the secrets and traditions
of Tuscan cookery and participants will spend many
hands on hours perfecting the skills of Tuscan cooking
in the original kitchen of the Fourteenth century
Villa Pandolfini.
Villa Pandolfini
This estate comprises a private forest, vineyards
and olive groves. This magnificent and spacious
apartment, just ten minutes from the centre of Florence,
sleeps five. There are wondeful antiques and frescoes,
as well as a beautiful loggia looking out onto a
breathtaking renaissance garden. Enjoy outdoor dining,
walks and the quiet and privacy of the place. This
is the perfect place to discover Florence and enjoy
the real Tuscan country living in an elegant castle
that has accommodated guests such as Napoleon Bonaparte
and King Charles VIII of France.
This is an incredible vacation experience. The property,
which has foundations dating back to the Thirteenth
century, was totally restored five years ago. The
rooms have high ceilings with breathtaking frescoes,
gold gilded mirrors and terracotta floors. From
the living room two sets of double doors open onto
the loggia and the Italian style gardens with lemon
trees, hedges and fountain. Each room is a pleasure
in itself. The main bedroom opens onto the front
terrace with views of the hills and Florence. The
second bedroom has a small en suite, a queen sized
bed and a single bed. The kitchen has a vaulted
ceiling and fireplace with a dining table seating
six. This is a wonderful location only ten minutes
from Florence and the owners speak English, French,
German and Italian. The property also produces its
own fantastic extra virgin olive oil and wine.
Whilst staying at the Villa you have the opportunity
to enjoy wonderful dining experiences at the many
local restaurants, some noted as being the best
in Italy. You can relax at the villa and enjoy its
grounds, wine and forest or discover the many local
attractions such as horse riding, trekking, antique
markets, Caruso’s villa and gardens, medieval
villages and Etruscan ruins.
Your
guides to Tuscan cooking
Your
teachers and mentors in Tuscany are Lisa and Maurizio,
both natives of Florence. Their culinary collaboration
dates back to 1990 and the renowned Florence restaurant
Du Monde, which they co-directed until 2000. It was
this experience that inspired the master chef and wine
connoisseur to take their combined knowledge and love
of Tuscan food from the kitchen to the classroom.
Lisa’s
lifelong passion was ignited with a children’s
cookbook of easy sweets. She developed her familiarity
and creativity with the secrets of Tuscan cuisine in
the kitchen of her maternal grandmother, who was herself
the longstanding chef of a noted restaurant in the coastal
region of Versilia. She also worked alongside expert
chefs in some of Florence’s top restaurants before
coming to direct Du Monde in the past few years. Both
Maurizo and Lisa have studied at the L’Isituto
Etoile di Chioggia in Tuscany.
Lisa’s
culinary sensibility and Maurizio’s expertise in
Italian viticulture bring a many layered love of food
and life into our kitchen. Join this culinary duo in
enjoying the Good Tastes of Tuscany.
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