Cook more, stay longer. Your invitation to Tuscany. 2026 cooking classes are here!
Discover our new calendar of seasonal masterclasses, and don’t miss a very special 4-day collaboration in March.
After months of busy kitchens and full calendars, we returned once again to Salento, our yearly escape. And like every September, something magical happened: I felt the urge to write again.
I craved a pen and a piece of paper since we had arrived in Porto Cesareo, our favourite holiday destination of the past ten and plus years. As soon as I started seeing olive groves, red, rich soil, bushes of prickly pears scattered through the countryside, enormous fig trees growing wild on isolated, ruined buildings and white towns perched on a hill, I felt a flood of words rising to the surface. Bottled up in my muddled mind for the best part of the year, they finally started to unravel.
Little by little, I started to feel like myself again. It happened in the water, in the late afternoon light, as the sun set behind the low, squat houses of Porto Cesareo—and I could finally breathe.
This place is what we call home once a year, for just a couple of weeks. It’s the powdered rosy sky at dusk, the family of ducks paddling among the rocks, the calm, oily surface of the sea broken only by la sorgente—a cold spring bubbling into a circle of stones just a few steps from the shore. Almost pagan in its simplicity, it has become our favourite spot for a summer refreshment, lighter legs, and whispered chats.
It’s also the rhythm of everyday life: the morning walk with a stop at our favourite bakery to bring back pastries for the family; buying vegetables at the farmers’ market (don’t expect anything fancy, just a few trucks in a parking lot with sun-scorched produce for local customers); knowing all the names of the breads and leafy greens; and hugging familiar faces—people we meet again and again, as Tommaso once did every summer when he was a child.
After a short afternoon nap, I grabbed my notebook and a pen and settled in the quiet living room. I began to write down everything that came to mind: a vivid sketch of our five-year-old Livia—like a bottle of kombucha, sparkling and exuberant—followed by a rough plan for a food-themed book club I’ll be hosting this autumn at Forno Pellegrino.
And then, quite naturally, my thoughts turned to a bigger question: what does holiday really mean to me?
Since 2014—when I first visited Salento with Tommaso as a new couple—this coastal town in Southern Puglia has become our main holiday destination. After Livia was born, it felt even more like the right place to return to year after year.
In July and August, Porto Cesareo is a busy, tourist-filled town. But for the rest of the year, it remains manageable, authentic, almost rough around the edges. September, in particular, carries a sweet melancholy: you see families closing their summer houses, packing their cars, and waving goodbye to their neighbours until the following season.
Even though I still crave different kinds of holidays—the green meadows of an Alpine cottage, the buzz of London, a slow road trip through Southern France—I know there will be time for that.
In the past five years, though, being on holiday has meant something else: feeling at home in another town and region. It has meant behaving like a local, queueing for pizzi and pucce at the bakery, recognizing the winds, respecting the controra—those blissful hours after lunch when you’re supposed to rest indoors—and imagining what it would feel like to live here.
It works like a restart for my mind and soul. When I return home—the other home—I feel refreshed and renewed, even after just ten days away from our daily life in Tuscany.
We work when and where other people spend their holidays. We actually become part of their holiday plans.
Sometimes guests book a class a year in advance, to celebrate a milestone birthday, an anniversary, or to add a dream experience to their honeymoon or once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy. Other times, it happens at the last minute: they check what’s available near their agriturismo, the stars align, and a cancellation opens up just in time.
It’s no surprise that our greatest inspiration comes when we are on holiday—when we shift from the urgency of daily to-do lists into a slower, more relaxed rhythm. What stays with us is not a single dish or activity, but the feelings they carry: the joy of a new habit, the comfort of a simple routine, the cozy sense of being at home away from home. These are the emotions we bring back with us and weave into our classes in Tuscany.
It all comes together in a cocktail of early morning walks along the beach, books saved for the rare, suspended time of a summer holiday with family in the South, and the joy of stumbling upon a new recipe. Usually, it’s something simple, pared down to just a handful of excellent ingredients. And isn’t that, after all, the recipe for everything good in life?
That sense of comfort, simplicity, and rediscovery is exactly what I want to bring to our 2026 masterclasses. Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or returning to Tuscany for the second (or third!) time, these classes are designed to feel like coming home.
2026 Masterclass Calendar. Stay longer, cook more, go deeper
The idea behind a masterclass lies in a sentence I’ve been hearing time and time again: if only we could come back tomorrow. If only we could cook more. That’s where the idea of a three-day masterclass was born.
2025 marked the first full year of our masterclass program, and your warm feedback and enthusiastic participation truly meant the world to us.
Each masterclass is a three-day immersion into seasonal Tuscan cooking, with one very special four-day session in March featuring two guest chefs. Here’s what’s coming in 2026:
Seasonal Masterclass Calendar
MARCH 3-6: Exclusive 4-day masterclass (more about this below!) [6 SPOTS LEFT]
APRIL 22-24: Spring Flavours—greens, eggs, fresh ricotta [5 SPOTS LEFT]
MAY 27-29: Fresh Pasta Masterclass—handmade pasta from Tuscany, and beyond
JUNE 17-19: Early Summer’s Bounty—welcome back summer flavours
JULY 15-17: A Tuscan Summer—tomatoes, melons, and summery desserts
SEPTEMBER 23-25: Harvest Season—in between summer and autumn
OCTOBER 14-16: Tuscan Autumn—squash, mushrooms, chestnuts, hearty roasts [SOLD OUT]
NOVEMBER 4-6: The exciting season of the new olive oil
DECEMBER 16-18: Christmas in Tuscany—a festive celebration of holiday
When you join our masterclass, you’ll be stepping into the rhythm of life in Tuscany. Our experiences aren’t held in sleek professional kitchens or commercial venues. Instead, you’ll be welcomed as a guest into a cozy, family-style environment. You’ll feel at home from the moment you arrive. It will be like cooking with an old friend: all around a long table, we’ll share recipes, tips, stories, and traditions while prepping vegetables or kneading fresh pasta dough.
We will begin every masterclass on Wednesday morning with a visit to our local market, and you’ll be inspired to shop smarter, cook intuitively, and celebrate the simplicity of seasonal ingredients. Each day we’ll decide on a menu together, based on seasonality, market finds, and personal tastes and preferences. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for how to bring the best of each season to your table, whatever ingredients you’ll be able to find once back home.
Each class is grounded in the seasons: think fresh vegetables from the market, handmade pasta, and rustic cakes that tell stories of grandmothers and Sunday lunches. From the chestnut cake my nonna made every autumn to the tortelli stuffed with ricotta and spinach, every dish captures the essence of Tuscan home cooking.
After the classes, in the afternoon, you’ll have time to explore our surroundings on your own: Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Monteriggioni. Or you can opt to remain in Colle Val d’Elsa, my hometown, which can boast a stellar dining scene, from cozy trattorias to a Michelin star restaurant.
Class Highlights
Three-day hands-on cooking experience in a traditional Tuscan kitchen
Guided market visit + stop at a family-run butcher shop
Three relaxed, communal Italian-style lunches with Chianti wine and homemade liqueurs
One breakfast at a local café, two breakfasts at the studio
Plenty of laughter, shared stories, and joyful discoveries
Free afternoons to explore the area
A curated guide to local restaurants, cafés, and artisan shops
Details
Duration: 3 days
Group size: 4 to 8 participants
Suitable for: solo travelers, couples, and larger groups of friends
Price: €850 per person (travel and lodging not included)
Please note: The price does not include flights, accommodation, travel insurance, or transport to and from our kitchen studio. But don’t worry—we’ll provide you with all the information you need to book a stay in a nearby agriturismo, so you can fully enjoy the Tuscan countryside and make the most of your experience.
What truly makes our classes special?
It’s the little things: the laughter shared over a simmering pot of sugo, the unexpected tips that turn a good dish into a great one, and the joy of discovering that you, too, can cook like an Italian. And when you head back home, you’ll bring more than recipes. You’ll carry memories, new friends, and a little piece of Tuscany in your heart.
🍋 Exclusive Masterclass: Tuscany, Liguria & Puglia. March 3 - 6, 2026
A four-day journey through Italy’s most delicious traditions
It all started this spring, in the middle of a downpour, as we drove along the winding roads of the Ligurian countryside. The car was warm, the rain relentless, and we were deep in conversation—about food, of course. We talked about the traditions we grew up with, the dishes we teach in our classes, and how much joy we find in sharing regional Italian cuisine with others.
That’s when the idea came to life: What if we created a masterclass together, one that celebrates the richness of our three regions, Tuscany, Liguria, and Puglia?
And so, this exclusive 4-day masterclass was born. I’ll be joined in the kitchen by two dear friends and exceptional cooking teachers: Enrica Monzani from A Small Kitchen in Genoa, and Flavia Giordano, from SpaghettiABC. Together, we’ll guide you through a unique experience that blends our cultures, techniques, and favourite seasonal recipes.
Along with our daily cooking classes, we’ll explore the countryside, visit local markets, go foraging with a local expert, and enjoy wine and olive oil tastings at Tenuta Mensanello, a working farm and agriturismo nestled in the Tuscan hills.
This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from three passionate and experienced women, each bringing the flavours and stories of her homeland into the kitchen. In just one trip, you’ll explore three of Italy’s most iconic regions through their typical ingredients, extra virgin olive oils, wines, and traditional recipes.
Class Highlights
One welcome dinner at a local farmhouse and agriturismo
Three half-day cooking classes featuring Tuscan, Ligurian, and Apulian dishes
A guided market visit + stop at a traditional family-run butcher
Three relaxed, communal Italian-style lunches
One breakfast at a local café, two breakfasts at the studio
Farm visit and wine & olive oil tasting
A foraging walk in the Tuscan countryside with a local expert
A curated guide to local restaurants, cafés, and artisan shops
Plenty of laughter, shared stories, and joyful discoveries
Free afternoons to explore towns like San Gimignano, Siena, and Volterra
Details
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Group size: 4 to 8 participants
Suitable for: solo travelers, couples, and larger groups of friends
Price: €1.300 per person (travel and lodging not included)
Please note: The price does not include flights, accommodation, travel insurance, or transport to and from our kitchen studio. But don’t worry—we’ll provide you with all the information you need to book a stay in a nearby agriturismo, so you can fully enjoy the Tuscan countryside and make the most of your experience.
We also offer one-day experiences for those with a tighter schedule
These one-day experiences are perfect if you want a taste of Tuscan cooking but don’t have time for a full masterclass. They’re short, sweet, and always unforgettable.
Market-to-Table Cooking Class (every Wednesday)
In the early morning, we will meet for an Italian breakfast at a local café, then we will shop together at a small market for fruit and vegetables, and we will visit the local butcher. After the market, we will drive to our kitchen studio in the countryside, where we will cook together a Tuscan seasonal feast, working on a traditional menu, from appetizers to desserts. Fresh pasta is always included.
Price: 200€ per person
Vegetable-Forward Cooking Class (every Thursday, sometimes also on Friday)
This class is dedicated to showcasing the beauty, versatility, and deliciousness of vegetables in traditional and creative Italian recipes. Inspired by what’s in season, we’ll prepare a whole meal from scratch using only the freshest local produce, herbs, and pantry staples. Fresh pasta is always included.
Price: 170€ per person
Check the calendar for our availability, or reply to this email to have more info.
The value we offer lies in the details.
Our classes are highly exclusive, with each menu tailor-made according to your preferences, the bounty of the market, and the rhythm of the seasons. You’ll book directly with us—no middlemen, no automated replies—just a personal connection from the very beginning. And when you arrive, you’ll step into a class truly immersed in the Tuscan countryside, where the pace is slow and the kitchen feels like home.
I want to close with a thought that’s been sitting with me since that rainy drive through Liguria.
Every time we pause, every time we step out of our usual routine—whether in Salento, in the kitchen, or while writing down ideas in the quiet of the afternoon—we rediscover who we are and what brings us joy. That’s exactly what these classes are about: not just cooking, but reconnecting. With yourself, with others, with the food on your table.
So tell me: What makes a cooking experience memorable for you? Is it the place, the people, the stories, or the recipes? Hit reply—I’d love to hear from you.
And if your heart is pulling you toward Tuscany next year, check the calendar or just email me. I’m here to help you plan your perfect culinary escape.
With love,
Giulia
Oh and the triple threat masterclass! You were all very good at keeping it under wraps!
We work when and where other people spend their holidays. We actually become part of their holiday plans.
This is us, our work, our passion, seen through the eyes of people who cook with us.
Can’t wait to be with you and Enrica in March!