The following is a sample of our 4 days (3 nights) cooking class schedule. Participants will receive an updated menu close to the upcoming course dates.
At Le Contesse, you have a unique opportunity to participate in fascinating cooking classes, where culinary secrets of generations - cucina della nona recipes and tips from Italian chefs specializing in traditional and modern Tuscan cuisine are revealed and shared.
At Le Contesse, you have a unique opportunity to participate in fascinating cooking classes, where culinary secrets of generations - cucina della nona recipes and tips from Italian chefs specializing in traditional and modern Tuscan cuisine are revealed and shared.
the Cooking Classes
During the classes, you will learn to cook authentic Italian meals that include focaccias and pizzas, fish and seafood, meat, fresh vegetables from the local market and our kitchen garden, cheeses, olive oil, herbs and spices and additional high quality culinary ingredients. From the first day to the last, we will cook festive meals and dine on the terrace overlooking a breathtaking Tuscan view. Together, we will enjoy a celebration of Italian flavors, complemented by fine local wine.
Our group classes are designed for small groups of up to 8 participants, in order to ensure that every participant receives personal attention from our chefs. You are invited to participate in 7 day or 4 day group courses that include an overnight stay at our farmhouse. The 7 day courses require a minimum of 6 participants. If you prefer, you can also reserve single day group courses or single day private classes, with no overnight stay. Upon request, we can also organize tailor-made group courses, for any duration, to suit the needs and interests of your group.
Cooking Class Sample Dishes
Delectable antipasti: colorful and delicious
hot, cold, cooked or row appetizers.
Tuscan salads and vegetables: Panzanella,
beet, kale, fresh zucchini, figs carpaccio
and other vegetable salads.
Famous Papa al Pomodori.
Breads: pizza and focaccia
Meat, chicken, fish and shellfish dishes.
Pasta: fresh handmade pici, tagliatelle,
spaghetti alla chitarra, ravioli & gnocchi.
Risotti: artichoke, asparagus, porcini mushrooms
and seasonal vegetable risotto.
Tuscan and Italian desserts: moist apple cake,
Panna Cotta, Tiramisu,
Tuscan cookies, tarts
and the ultimate Tuscan comfort food
"Torta Della Nona".
Cooking Class Sample Dishes
Delectable antipasti: colorful and delicious hot, cold, cooked or row appetizers
Tuscan salads and vegetables: Panzanella (Tuscan bread and tomato salad), beet, kale, fresh zucchini, figs carpaccio and other vegetable salads.
Famous Papa al Pomodori
Breads: pizza and focaccia
Meat, chicken and fish and shellfish dishes
Pasta: fresh handmade pici, tagliatelle,
ravioli & gnocchi
Risotti (artichoke, asparagus, porcini mushrooms or seasonal vegetable risotto)
Tuscan and Italian desserts: moist apple cake, Panna Cotta, Tiramisu, Tuscan cookies, tarts and the ultimate Tuscan comfort food la Torta Della Nona.
Daily courses and private classes
Our daily courses allow small groups, couples and individuals to enjoy the unique experience of creating extraordinary flavors. Throughout the day, we will introduce you to a fascinating culinary world that includes a variety of Italian cooking products and fresh herbs and spices, which will all be incorporated within delicious Tuscan dishes.
Together, we will practice diverse cooking, grilling, baking and desserts making techniques, as well as techniques for preparing hand-made pasta, rolling homemade gnocchi dough and cutting and shaping pasta and ravioli. We also promise to reveal the secrets to cooking the perfect pasta and risotto.
Throughout the course, you will learn how to cook a full Italian meal. We also offer courses that shine a spotlight on specific dishes such as pasta, Italian desserts, antipasti and more. If you wish, you can also order a course tailored to your personal requests.
The courses are held in our farmhouse and its surrounding gardens where you can enjoy a relaxed rural atmosphere. You will be served local cold cuts, together with light refreshments and beverages, wine from nearby family wineries and superb Italian coffee. At the end of each course, we will conduct a festive meal featuring the dishes we prepared.
Participants will receive an updated menu close to the upcoming course dates.
Daily cooking course prices – 2018
Per participant in a group class175 €
Private class for 1-4 participants800 €
Private class for 5-6 participants1200 €
Private class for 8 participants1550 €
please note:
Some of the classes are delivered in Italian with simultaneous English translation. Other classes are delivered entirely in English.
The farmhouse includes two organic kitchen gardens that provide us with a large portion of our cooking ingredients.
Length of daily courses/private lessons - 4 hours, without accommodation.
Number of participants in daily courses - up to 8 people.
Minimum of five participants required per course.
the four Day cooking course
Day 01
Warm welcome at Le Contesse.
Check-in and tour of the organic garden located next to the farmhouse. We will walk by the vegetable beds, smell the fresh herbs and work up an appetite for the week to come.
An Alfresco welcome dinner, accompanied by local wine.
Day 02
Le Contesse fresh and savory breakfast overlooking a gorgeous Tuscan view.
Your first cooking class.
Lunch based on what we have prepared.
An afternoon treat: a visit to a prestigious spa in a nearby village that includes a dip in the most famous thermal pools in Tuscany.
Free evening
Day 03
Light breakfast.
Culinary excursion- a half day culinary excursion: a local cheese farm that includes delicious cheese tastings, a family-owned factory that manufactures Prosciutto, Salami and Mortadella requested by prestigious delicatessens worldwide, a local market or a family-owned boutique winery built within a 2nd century Etruscan cave.
Lunch at a unique local ristorante.
Your second cooking class.
Final Le Contesse dinner and certificate hand-outs.
Day 04
Le Contesse fresh, savory breakfast.
Departure
4 days cooking course prices – 2016
Per participant based on double occupancy1500 €
Per participant based on single occupancy1800 €
Per non-cooking participant based on double occupancy1300 €
* A non-cooking companion is welcome to participate in all activities and meals, with the exception of the cooking classes.
please note
Some of the classes are delivered in Italian with simultaneous English translation. Other classes are delivered entirely in English.
The farmhouse includes two organic kitchen gardens that provide us with a large portion of our cooking ingredients.
• The price does not include meals on the day off/evenings off
• The price does not include flights or transport from and to the airport
• Arrival at Le Contesse with a private vehicle is recommended
the seven Day cooking course
The following is a sample of our 7 day (6nights) cooking class schedule. A detailed schedule will be sent to each participant close to arrival.
Day 01
Warm welcome at Le Contesse.
Check-in and tour of the organic garden located next to the farmhouse. We will walk by the vegetable beds, smell the fresh herbs and work up an appetite for the week to come.
An Alfresco welcome dinner, accompanied by local wine.
Day 02
Le Contesse fresh and savory breakfast overlooking a gorgeous Tuscan view
A visit to the local market, where we will select freshly picked fruits and vegetables for our cooking class.
A tour of a family-owned boutique winery built within a 2nd century Etruscan cave.
Lunch at a unique local ristorante.
A walk through the romantic alleys of Cetona, our unique Tuscan village.
Your first cooking class.
Dinner at Le Contesse, based on what we have prepared.
Day 03
A light breakfast.
A visit to a local cheese farm that includes delicious cheese tastings with complementary wine or tea.
A trip to Pienza, a special renaissance-era town known for its Pecorino cheese and beautiful alleys.
Lunch at a unique local ristorante.
A visit to a family-owned factory that manufactures Prosciutto, Salami and Mortadella requested by prestigious delicatessens worldwide.
Returning to Le Contesse for your second cooking class.
Dinner at Le Contesse, based on what we have prepared.
Day 04
A light breakfast.
This is your day off. You are free to tour some of the region's sites. We'll be happy to provide numerous trip options in the area and help you plan your day.
Day 05
Le Contesse fresh and savory breakfast.
Your third cooking class.
Lunch at Le Contesse, based on what we have prepared.
An afternoon treat: a visit to a prestigious spa in a nearby village that includes a dip in the most famous thermal pools in all of Tuscany. You can also order massage and additional treatments in advance (at an additional cost).
Free evening
Day 06
Le Contesse fresh and savory breakfast.
Your fourth cooking class.
Lunch at Le Contesse, based on what we have prepared.
An afternoon off. We recommend pool & garden tranquility or shopping in the village.
Final Le Contesse dinner and certificate hand-outs.
Day 07
Le Contesse fresh, savory breakfast.
Check out
7 days cooking course Prices – 2016
Per participant based on double occupancy2700 €
Per participant based on single occupancy3200 €
Per non-cooking participant based on double occupancy2400 €
* A non-cooking companion is welcome to participate in all activities and meals, with the exception of the cooking classes.
please note
Some of the classes are delivered in Italian with simultaneous English translation. Other classes are delivered entirely in English.
The farmhouse includes two organic kitchen gardens that provide us with a large portion of our cooking ingredients.
• The price does not include meals on the day off/evenings off
• The price does not include flights or transport from and to the airport
• Arrival at Le Contesse with a private vehicle is recommended
