Chef Marco Canora enjoyed cooking at the Villa Montecastello in 2006 so much that he decided to travel back to offer a classic Tuscan cooking experience in the unique setting of an organic olive orchard, free range pig farm, chicken coop and extensive vegetable garden. Marco will teach and cook together with you classic Tuscan recipes, add his own personal view on food and guide you through the simple but flavorful experience of living a week in Tuscany to the fullest.
The four day cooking class will be complimented by wine tours and wine classes held by Jens Schmidt, owner of the Villa and renowned importer of Italian wines to the United States through his company Montecastelli Selections. Jens will introduce you to the basics of Italian and Tuscan varieties used in winemaking and tour with you a leading vineyard in Montalcino.
YOUR HOST:
Jens Schmidt
of Montecastelli Selections
Sample Program from 2010 Class:
Saturday
- Arrival in Italy, transfer to the Villa
- Welcome Prosecco snack
- Dinner at the Villa
Sunday
- Welcome and orientation
- Cooking Class · Brodo - the importance of having a good stock around
· Cooking beans
· Zucchini frittata lesson
· Fegatini di pollo
· Panzanella
- Light lunch
- Cooking Class
· Pasta fresca con pomodori - lesson in making fresh summer
tomato sauce
· Salcicce all’ uccelletto
· Arista di Maiale – lesson in preparing a roast
· Saltate of fresh garden greens
· Pattate Arrosto
- Dinner at the Villa
Monday
- Cooking Class
· Ribolitta - how to make the classic tuscan soup
· Knife skills - cutting vegetables for soup
· Insalata verde – lesson in making vinaigrette · Acciuga Marinata
· Soffritto, the building block of Italian cooking - what is it, how and why do you use it
- Light lunch
- Wine Class
- Dinner at the Villa
Tuesday
- Cooking Class
· Insalata di calamari con ceci
· Uova con pomodoro
· Prep soffritto for cacciucco
- Light lunch at winery
- Cooking Class
- Dinner at the Villa
Wednesday
- Wine Tour in Montalcino
- Light lunch at ‘Osticcio’
- Afternoon free (touring Siena)
- Dinner - your night - on your own or out
Thursday
- All day trip to Florence
- Possible visit Uffizi, markets, wine bars, café…..
- Dinner at Ristorante Casalta (close to the Villa Montecastello)
Friday
- Cooking Class
· Lesson in making classic fish stew of Livorno
· Lesson in making risotto with garden vegetables
· Fagioli in umido - cooking vegetables in a moist environment using versatile techniques
- Light lunch
-Dinner at Villa - Pizza night!
Saturday
-Departure for airports
Pricing per person:
single deluxe room
€ 3,100.00
$4,185.00
single
€ 2,900.00
$3,915.00
double(shared room)
€ 2,700.00
$3,645.00
spouse(non-class participant)
€ 1,700.00
$2,295.00
* Dollar ($) pricing based on 1.35 estimated exchange rate which is subject to change at time of payment
Services included:
7 overnights at the Villa, 7 breakfasts, 5 light lunches, 6 dinners, all local transport as described including airport pick up and drop off. Pick up airports only Florence or Pisa! Beverages included 1 bottle of wine per day plus water. Includes also all materials and wine for classes and tasting, as well as instructors fees.
Not included:
airfare, all extra beverages, daily room service, pull down service, extra transport services during free time, second set of linens, special requests.
Extras available:
- mountain bike, €15/day
- internet access, €25/week
- shiatsu massage: €80 per session 40 minutes
- taxi service: upon request
Booking conditions:
50% deposit at booking, 50% balance at check-in.
Payment method:
- PayPal villa@montecastelli.com (amount above in Euro)
- personal US check to Montecastelli Selections, 636 Broadway suite 712, New York, NY 10012 (amount above in dollars)
Cancellation policy:
- see at http://www.montecastelli.it/prices
- or the entire deposit minus PayPal expenses shall be returned until 8 weeks prior to scheduled event
- or 50% of the deposit minus PayPal expenses shall be returned until 4 weeks prior to the scheduled event
- or no deposit shall be refunded for cancellation less than 4 weeks prior to the scheduled event.
