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In Terre Di Toscana
Figline Valdarno, Tuscany
About the location: Figline Valdarno is a small, ancient Tuscan town about 35 kilometers southeast of Florence. Claudio Piantini has built a small B&B on his country property, including five bedroom cottages, all unique and with ensuite baths, and a beautiful large swimming pool. To top it all off is the large, professional style kitchen Claudio has built to accommodate students during their culinary holiday in Tuscany.
About the cooking lessons: The lessons are led by Chef Claudio Piantini. Claudio grew up in a typical Italian home, where the quality of food and cooking was very important. At the tender age of 14, Claudio worked secretly as a waiter in a fine restaurant and this was the beginning of an illustrious career. He recognized how the pleasures of good food could unite people from all different backgrounds. Following his formal chef training, he became a professional sommelier and managed a restaurant in Florence. His dream, of course, was to have his own restaurant and returned to his home town to open Torre Guelfa Restaurant, which immediately put his rising star on the culinary horizon. In 1995 The International Kitchen was fortunate to begin a collaboration with this wonderful, passionate and charming chef, whose delight in his art is totally contagious! During your lessons, you will learn classic dishes of Tuscan cuisine, known for its refined simplicity. You will prepare classic dishes such as ribollita and crostini, along with more unusual dishes such as castagnaccio. Whether you are an advanced cook, or a eager beginner, Claudio is able to manage every level, much like a conductor with each section of the orchestra. You will come away with a vast number of recipes from the hands of a true Tuscan chef, imparting his knowledge with infinite kindness, patience and generosity. We truly love Chef Claudio!
Price Per Person
2012
Four-night program:
US$1185 based on double occupancy
Single supplement: US$195
Two-night program:
US$550 based on double occupancy
Tour Dates
AVAILABLE ANY WEEK ON REQUEST FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO.
Note that cooking classes are usually not available Sunday.
Join a week others have confirmed OR ANY OTHER WEEK ON REQUEST.
Spring 2012
May 20-26 (SOLD OUT)
July 15-21 (SOLD OUT)
September 16-22 (2 rooms left)
What's Included
Included in the four-night cooking vacation:
- Four nights double accommodation at Claudio’s B&B with breakfast
- Three dinners with local wine
- Three cooking classes with lunch or dinner
- Local wine, water and coffee with all included meals
This program requires that you provide your own transportation. We would be happy to assist you with a low-cost rental.
Included in the two-night cooking vacation:
- Two nights double accommodation at Claudio’s B&B with breakfast
- Welcome dinner with local wine
- Cooking class with lunch
- Local wine, water and coffee at lunch
Other Regions in Italy
- Arrival on your own.
- Welcome cocktail followed by dinner at the Relais Torre Guelfa, where you will first experience Chef Piantini’s delectable Tuscan cuisine.
- Breakfast.
- Your first hands-on cooking class with Claudio to prepare your dishes for lunch. A variety of Tuscan dishes, appetizers, first and second courses and desserts, will be taught.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure and overnight.
- Breakfast. Those on the two-night program check out and depart. Buon Viaggio!
- For those on the four-night program, continue with a morning cooking class with Claudio to prepare your dishes for lunch.
- Afternoon free, perhaps to visit the famous Chianti area.
- Light dinner at Torre Guelfa.
- Breakfast.
- Morning at leisure with lunch on your own.
- In the afternoon, your final cooking class.
- Farewell dinner, and if requested, Claudio will be happy to introduce you to his collection of grappas.
- Breakfast and checkout.
