Have you ever wanted to learn to cook in Italy, to participate in Tuscany cooking classes? TUSCAN WOMAN COOK, a culinary school in the medieval town of Montefollonico, Tuscany between Rome and Florence offers weeklong, fully inclusive cooking programs, along with daily workshops.

This all-inclusive program for One (1) includes 6 night’s accommodation at La Chiusa in Montefollonico, all meals including wine, cooking classes, sightseeing, winery visits and tastings, and visits to local markets and historical towns. We do provide transportation during the week for all activities. Airfare and ground transportation to and from Montefollonico are not included. Offered in May, June, September, and October

Indulge yourself in the Tuscan lifestyle and discover the region’s passion for food and wine. The best cooks in all of Tuscany, the local women, teach our classes. They’ll share regional techniques, ingredients, and family recipes that have been passed down over the centuries.

The daily schedule is as follows, super fun:

Sunday (Domenica)—Welcome to Your New Tuscan Home

Arrive. Check in at the historic La Chiusa hotel in the medieval walled village of Montefollonico. We will share antipasti and a glass of Prosecco together before our first dinner tonight at a charming local restaurant. Make a toast to new friends and new flavors. The chef will prepare a delicious Tuscan meal for us to begin our week together. Let the delicious journey begin.

Monday (Lunedi)—Ready, Set, Mangiamo!

It’s time to get cooking! Your adventure begins in la cucina with Dania Mazotti, the world-famous chef at the Michelin-starred La Chiusa restaurant in our village. Chef Mazotti teaches you essential foundational Tuscan techniques as she prepares chicken alla contadina, “white” ravioli stuffed with farm-fresh ricotta, Pappardelle “Dania”, and caramel gelato with strawberry flambé.

After this extraordinary lunch, you’ll wind through the historic medieval hilltop village of Pienza to peruse the galleries of many of the local artisans.

Tonight you’ll dine at the internationally acclaimed Osteria La Porta in Montichiello, which was recently profiled in the New York Times. Wine pairings from Montalcino will be featured with your sumptuous meal. Mangiamo! v v v

Tuesday (Martedi)—Pici-licious Pasta and More

Join us for a cappuccino in the village of Montefollonico before this morning’s cooking class at 13 Gobbi. Simonetta, Ima and Sabrina will teach us today. Cooking class this morning features hand-rolled pici, the delicious eggless pasta that originated in our area of Tuscany. We will also prepare aglione (garlic and tomato) sauce, pollo diavalo, savory grilled fresh vegetables topped with local extra virgin olive oil, and crostata suisina.

This afternoon we visit the medieval hill town of Montepulciano where the famous Vino Nobile wine is produced.

Dinner will be at the renowned Ristorante Walter Redaelli. Learn more in Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence report of this lovely restaurant. 

Wednesday (Mercolodi)—Footloose in Siena

We depart early for Siena today. It is Market Day in Siena – the largest weekly market in Tuscany. You will have a chance to taste and purchase regional gourmet items, aged balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. We have a professional guide today who will take you sightseeing and shopping in Tuscany's most elegant city. Lunch today will be at one of Siena's highest regarded Osterias. Feel free to take off and enjoy the sights and shops of Siena or let our professional guide escort you. We will enjoy an early dinner tonight since we have another full day tomorrow.

Thursday (Giovedi)—The Authentic Classic Dishes and Wines

We’ll start our day with a delicious cappuccino at the Bar Sport in our village. This morning Isa is our outstanding nonna della cucina. This could be the favorite meal of the entire week, but most of our guests say that same phrase every day. Parmigiana di melanzane (eggplant Parmesan), ribolita (Tuscan vegetable, bean and bread soup), roast loin of pork, potato smorfato, cantucci (biscotti) and panna cotta. Squisito! (Yummy!)

Later in the day, we will join local wine master, Vittorio Innocenti, for a wine tasting in his 750-year-old cantina. Vittorio is famous for his Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and his award-winning Vin Santo.

Dinner tonight is at another of our wonderful restaurants in Montefollonico, La Botte Piena (the full barrel). The owners are affiliated with the Slow Food movement and will give us an incredible Tuscan family style dinner with wines.

Friday (Venerdi)—Making Memories with the Bernadinis

Three generations of a Tuscan family will lead our class today at the Bernadini family home and agriturismo calledBelaggagio. Grandmother Ada, daughter Antonella and granddaughter Gloria were our very first women cooks in 2000. We will make pizza in an ages-old wood-burning oven. Additionally, stuffed fried zucchini flowers, the “best ever” pasta al forno(lasagne) and tiramisù; will be highlighted today. After a nice pausa, we will have time for one more wine tasting with one of the young Super Tuscan vintners, Flavio Andreucci of Tenimenti Adreucci Winery, who was recently honored at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City for his outstanding wines.

Our final dinner together is at the Michelin-starred La Chiusa restaurant. You will enjoy a seven-course degustazióne dinner with outstanding Tuscan wines, including the world-famous Brunello di Montalcino.

Saturday (Sabato)—Ciao! Ci vediamo qui presto!

See http://www.tuscanwomencook.com/index.html for further details.