Siena - Lesson with Chef Elisabetta

We were thrilled with our class. It turned out that it was just me and my friend and the instructor so we were lucky to have a more personalized experience. We particularly enjoyed that the instructor selected approachable selections that would be easily replicated when we went home. Also, we enjoyed hearing the instructors stories of family and cooking and Italy in general. It was much more than a cooking class! The International Kitchen staff was very thorough and friendly. Michelle C., CO

We found Chef Elizbetta a warm and charming person. We were the only ones in the class on the day we took it, so obviously it was a true hands-on experience. She shared not only the cooking instructions but told us of not to miss places to visit during our stay in Tuscany. We plan to make an Italian dinner for friends, and will be re-creating the recipes she shared with us. ... We will be recommending her class to our friends, it was fun and we are glad we went. Joy B., OR

We took our class in Siena from Elisabetta. We enjoyed the one on one nature of the experience. We were able to ask a lot of questions and really get a feel for the culture along with the cooking techniques. Elisabetta speaks excellent English and was kind and patient with us. The meal at the end of the class was the best of the entire vacation. Dave D., WA

The class was far more enjoyable than we had anticipated, Elisabetta was charming and so gracious in her demonstration of our 3 course menu. We both learned a lot from her discussions and she also told us a lot of the history of food in Tuscany. I would like to do another class with Elisabetta and would highly recommend this way of booking everything. Thank you all for making my trip to Siena and Tuscany so enjoyable. I will look forward to my next visit. Jennie F., Australia

Elisabeta was very personable and had a wonderful way of expressing both the culture and the cuisine that made you value the experience even more. We loved that she had wine ready to be consumed - can't cook without it. We felt very at ease with her and truly learned a lot about pasta making, picking vegetables in season, and using olive oil, along with the cultural aspects of Italian family's, meal times, and traditions. We made eggplant parmigiana and I hate eggplant but couldn't eat enough of what we had made together - it was delicious. My brother returned home and immediately made it for his wife and neighbors with huge success. Would do it again. Karol L., IL

Elisabetta was an excellent teacher and we had good hands on experience with the three dishes that we made. She also told us how to make a couple of additional things and told us of cookbook references. She speaks excellent English, so communication was no problem. Our lesson and lunch was lots of fun and we would certainly recommend her classes. Mary H.

[Note: these clients did 3 different one-day classes: in Assisi, in Siena, and in Parma.] I especially loved that Letizia in Assisi emailed us prior to the class & gave us a choice of menus. She also spent alot of time with us in a gourmet store teaching us about the local products. Elisabetta's class [in Siena] was wonderful becuase we were with her family. And thank God for Micaela because Parma was not a very friendly town & she was a breath of fresh air. Karen L., Hackettstown, NJ

Elizabetta and Marco were wonderful teachers, taking time out to explain special tips known only in Italy. They also took time to explain the importance of the annual Siena horse race (The Palio) and the subtlies associated with it. A gem of a class - we would do it all over again! Gina C., CA

We had a wonderful time cooking with Elizabeth and Marco in Siena. They were warm and inviting and gave us a true experience in preparing a Tuscan style family meal. We learned how to make homemade pasta which was absolutely incredible. We paired wines with each dish and enjoyed a terrific meal. This was one of the highlights of our vacation. I would highly recommend this cooking experience to anyone who would like to experience a homestyle Tuscan meal. Kathy H., TX

Our cooking class with Elisabetta & Marco was the highlight of our 10 day trip to Lake Como and Tuscany. My husband Phil and I learned a lot, but most of all we really enjoyed their hospitality and warmness. They taught us a lot about Tuscan cooking and we really had a wonderful time! We recommend the class highly. Meg & Phil D., VA

Teacher and husband were knowledgeable and fun. Experience was entertaining and useful. Food prepared was delicious. Kent V., IL

We just returned from Italy, where we took an afternoon class at the Siena Culture and Cooking Institute. We really enjoyed it very much, and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to try real Italian cooking. Elisabetta and Marco were wonderful hosts. They are easygoing, helpful and really understand cooking. The cooking and the meal were one of the highlights of our trip. We made tagliatelle by hand, and then ate them with a pesto sauce. We also cooked a chicken ragout with carrots, onions and grapes. For dessert we made a delicious tiramisu. Everything was great! We brought the recipes home and look forward to making them again on our own. After lunch, we had plenty of time to see Siena - one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen. This was a great experience. Thanks for helping to make it possible! Jon & Anne D., IL

Our hosts, Elisabetta and Marco, were most gracious. The dinner we prepared was delicious. We truly experience authentic Italian cooking and living. It was fun to share Italian and American cultures during dinner! Kim M., PA

Elisabeta was friendly and informative and patient. The food was delicious. A highlight was having the opportunity to spend time and talk with Elisabeta and Marco, to hear a bit about life and food in Tuscany. It felt like spending time with new friends. Carol C., CT

We truly enjoyed sharing the culture with our chef and her family. We enjoyed having a "hands on" experience making the ravioli and watching the cooking process of the meat loaf. We enjoyed having the time with the family and sharing the recipes. We have duplicated the recipes here at home and shared with friends and family.We'll be making more ravioli tomorrow! We would recommend this experience to many other friends and family members. Carolyn & Paul H., KS

Elisabetta gave us a most hearty welcome to her kitchen and was most enthusiastic in passing on her knowledge of Italian Cuisine. The dishes we helped prepare were delicious and already we have prepared these since returning home. The highlight was preparing our own pasta and learning to use a pasta machine which we have both purchased since our return to the US. Hilary F. , WA