The food was delicious! The cooking tips were priceless! We had the best time cooking with Nonna…read more We felt like we were being taught our very own Italian Nonna! We so enjoyed the fruits of our labor dining at the big wooden table with our fellow chefs.

Cannot say enough good things about our experience with Nonna and Paolo. We attended a lunch…read morecooking class in mid-April, along with 2 other visitors to Tuscany. The menu included 3 types of bruschetta, tagliatelle with asparagus, chicken with a vin santo reduction, and zabaglione for dessert. This was one of our best meals in all of Tuscany. Not only because of the quality of the food (many of the ingredients came fresh from neighboring farms), but also because of the warmth and hospitality shown by Nonna and Paolo. They were both incredibly kind, genuine, and knowledgeable about the cooking techniques and ingredients, but perhaps the most enjoyable part was their lovely relationship and the way they made everyone in the class comfortable with one another. By the end, we were all laughing and joking together. Please go visit Nonna; you won't regret it!

This is a MUST if you ever find yourself in Umbria. Nonie and Tita are wonderful to work with! We…read morewere staying in Umbria at a villa for a week and wanted to experience a cooking class but wanted to do so at our house. Nonie and Tita came to our villa (which was quite out of the way) and for a very reasonable price, brought all the food, the cooking utensils and years of knowledge and walked away leaving 5 new Italian cooks! They were both so great to work with and patient. Whenever we threw a curve ball their way as far as something they had planned or not understanding and asking questions, Nonie would reassure us that this was our class and they would do whatever they needed so that we enjoyed ourselves and learned. AND WE DID! From those decadent lava cakes to flat breads and pastas (oh - we can't forget parmesan baskets with pears! Fancy!), we learned how to make everything traditionally Umbrian in a very easy and hands on manner. We all given our own packets with all the recipes in them and our work spaces and ingredients. I personally loved all the history that Nonie gave as we walked through the recipes. Why they used certain ingredients, the differences you would find regionally in those ingredients, why a dish was traditional and such. The best part was when we were finished cooking and Nonie and Tita shooed us into the living room while they set the table and prepared our plates and then called us in and served us 4 courses with all the embellishments. And once we had finished, there was no clean up as they took care of it all. The whole while talking and laughing with us. Umbriacook4u was definitely one of the very top highlights of our 2 week Italian holiday and I would recommend this activity to everyone! There are options for experiencing the same thing in Tita's farmhouse which would probably give you the feel of having experienced something "local". Either way - you'll get the package deal with Nonie (an ex-pat American who is the English portion of the class) and Tita who is the native Italian. You can't miss an opportunity to meet these two wonderful women and enjoy their true Umbrian hospitality!!!!!!

Rafaella was super quick on my last minute request for a class and was able to accommodate us the…read morevery next day! The instructor was super sweet and funny! She really loved food and to cook and it showed!! The food was delicious, torta with stracchino cheese with rocket, homemade pasta with pork cheek, zucchini and saffron, chicken arribiata and a fig and walnut crostada... OMG I am salivating as I type!! Can't wait to try these recipes at home ( yes, they give you the recipes to take with you, along with a cute certificate we framed and have hanging in our kitchen, and an apron!) Met 2 wonderful ladies in the class too! The one issue we had was finding the place... Perugia is tough to get around... would have been helpful to have directions given to us... otherwise it was PERFECTO!!!

This week of cooking school with Chef Franco has been even better than I hoped for. The cooking is…read moreexciting and can be done at home. The 16th century buildings are beautiful and comfortable and modernized. Everything has been amazing

"Fantastic Experience Tuscookany's. Torre del Tartufo villa! My top "complaints" are:…read more 1. My room and bed were too comfortable, While snuggled under the fabulous down comforter surrounded by the antique furniture it was too hard to get out of bed! 2. The house itself had too many cozy spots to spend time in. It was a difficult decision each day...should I sit in the fabulous outside grottos filled with pillows and enjoy the peace and solitude of the villa. should I curl up on the fabulously comfortable couch in the tower living room with the fire roaring as I read my latest novel. or should I sit in the cozy bar area with candles burning, sitting on my extra large down filled club chair as I sip a glass of wine and converse with some of my new friends. Or should I sit in the hot tub under the stars with a glass of wine...way too many choices. 3. Speaking of wine...the problem here is the fact that each night there was too much wine. With the many fabulous choices of wine available the problem arose of having too much fun; the laughing and multiple conversations around the table made us forget we were actually learning something! Oh and I dare you to get bitten by the "rattlesnake"...a fun after dinner drink tradition that makes for a late night filled with more giggles and conversation! 4. The food is too good. The dining tables are to comfortable and the dining locations are out of a magazine! The unique fresh flower center pieces, the glass of wine and mouth watering menus made you look forward to the next meal while finishing your present dish! 4. Franco the chef and his ever present amazing assistant Paula spoiled us rotten! You see I dont know how to cook nor like to cook. Each day at three o'clock we put on our personalized aprons and brought with us our complimentary cookbook which is filled with recipes and other very appreciated information. We were divided up into teams to prepare our four course meal for the evening. We chopped, kneaded, boiled and cooked together for seven days while Franco provided guidance (lots of extra guidance for me!) and tricks of the trade and Paula followed behind making sure each dish, knife, pot and table were spotless! It seemed so effortless for them to teach ten of us how to prepare multiple dishes at once. Spoiled rotten are we!!! 5. The field trip day is fabulous but it demands that you hop on a comfortable bus and enjoy a day out visiting farms, wineries, enjoying fabulous scenery, a homemade lunch in a family villa , etc. The problem here lies in the fact this requires you to leave the villa. This was such a difficult decision so I personally chose to enjoy the lounges by the pool, reading my book in the sunshine, taking a run along the scenic country paths of the villa, soaking in the hot tub and napped by the roaring fire. All were happy! 6. The other problem is that the instructions didn't ask us to bring a large amount of extra cash. You see you don't need cash for anything at the villa unless you want a fabulous massage in their beautiful spa...the massage is very reasonable so you will undoubtedly have enough cash but the problem there is the massage is so good you want another one..here comes the need for extra cash! Tipping is obviously not required but at the end of this fabulous week in paradise you want to make sure you show each and everyone of the staff members how much you appreciated the non-stop, above five star, service! 7. The villa experience causes deep depression. Saying goodbye to the staff brings tears, saying goodbye to your new cooking friends brings tears, and saying goodbye to "our" villa is gut wrenching! Once at home after getting over jet lag, enjoying your photos, having emailed all your new friends, you plan a dinner party with new found confidence. You can't wait to cook and share your new recipes. While preparing the dishes with my friends, setting the table with candles and fresh flowers I sit back and listen to the laughing and camaraderie around the table and wonderful memories and gratitude fill my heart. Memories are filled of my special time at cooking school and grateful for the experience of a lifetime. Thank you all for a most wonderful week of cooking, friendships, and memories. It was simply amazing!!!!! Can't wait to come back!

My daughter and I recently went to Casa Ombuto and had the most amazing time! Our chef, Paola, did…read morean amazing job teaching us all things Italian cooking! Her love for food, cooking, and teaching was beautiful! We spent an unbelievable week at our Tuscan villa learning the ins and outs of cooking Italian food. The accommodations were beautiful and perfect, and every single staff member did an amazing job taking care of us. I'm felt like we were welcomed in as family and spent an entire week in Italian paradise!!!

Staff = 5 Cooking classes = 4…read more Lodging / Accommodations = 1 We enjoyed the Tuscany cooking class. Chef Paola was a real professional -- articulate, interesting, fun, engaging and so knowledgeable. Everything we cooked was fresh, local, in season -- just perfect. We learned a lot and can't wait to share some of the recipes we learned with our friends back at home. In the one-week course, there are 4 afternoon classes. Everyone gets an opportunity to prepare an appetizer, first course, secondi (pasta) or entree and dessert. Note: I said prepare. The students did all the cleaning, cutting, chopping, rolling, mixing, filling, etc. The kitchen staff did all the cooking, plating and presentation. It was like going to a fancy restaurant every night, except we had done all the prep work and knew what went into the dishes. We sampled just about everything Tuscany has to offer in the Spring -- Beef Steaks, Pork Tenderloin, Guinea Fowl, Rabbitt, Quail, Branzino, Cod, Ground Beef, and pasta, stuffed pasta. Everything made from scratch. It took time, and the results were worth it in every bite. Wine was served with each meal and after there after dinner drinks. Overall, it was a lot of really great food and wine. We also met some nice like minded foodies who contributed to each of the meals during the week. The staff was fantastic. From the general manager, to the chef, to the kitchen staff, drivers, and the other workers, if you mentioned something, they were on it. Everyone had a can do attitude and made sure everything was dealt with efficiently and effectively. ...and they were all extremely nice. The lodging and accommodations were disappointing, however. I requested a room on the ground level with minimal steps before I made the reservation. The owner of Tuscookany promised a room with only two steps. Upon arrival, we were assigned a room with six steps, one up and five down. That made it tough for my spouse. The room was also dimly lit and spartan. The real challenge revealed itself the next morning when we discovered there was minimal hot water. The bathroom shower and faucets both started off warm and then went to cold. For three of the first four mornings, the staff tried to fix the plumbing with various maintenance efforts. On the fourth day, they moved us to another nearby villa where there was hot water. So that solved one issue but created another because we now had to negotiate a staircase to the second level and trudge over loose gravel even further each day to our cooking classes. I understand and appreciate the challenges of a historic 200-year-old villa like Casa Ombuto and I enjoyed its charming appearance. I don't understand how the management can promise one room and deliver something completely different and so under maintained.

This is a 5 star experience through and through! Everything about this 1/2 day class is…read moreunbelievable. Host and cooking lead, Manuela is a gem. She is friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable but most of all knows how to take your trip to Italy to another level! She immerses you in a full on sensory experience to cooking. Smelling ingredients, touching and understanding textures, seeing the freshness of ingredients and the rich colors, and finally tasting the fruits of your labor. Mmmmm. We opted for a regional class that featured Sicilian recipes and it was fantastic! We made a four course meal. One of the freshest meals I've ever had. Our food was down right mouth watering! You must must must go here when visiting Florence for a truly rich cultural and culinary experience. Loved this day more than I can capture in a review.

OMG!! This review is long overdue!! We had the best time with Manuela and Simon. Was definitely…read moreone of the highlights of our trip!! Manuela was patient, informative, and humorous. Everything we made was explained very well, and best of all was delicious. I will forever remember this time, and look forward to utilizing the recipes back home. Highly recommend taking a class with them!!

Ayoub was a FANTASTIC chef to lead our cooking class. He made the experience so memorable. He had…read morewonderful enthusiasm and made the class fun. After the class, we got to enjoy our food at a table on the streets of Siena. Thank you Ayoub for the experience!

I've only been to cooking classes in Asia, and this Siena one one was very enjoyable and our pasta…read moremaking came out better than expected. It was deliciously good and our tiramisu dessert was excellent and probably the best tiramisu I've ever had. The teachers explained clearly and easily what we needed to do...the worst cooks would have been successful. It came with wine and bottled water that enhanced the meal. I definitely would recommend the cooking classes as a thing to do if you have the time, as it made my stay in Siena more memorable.

The best location with the best food with the best service! Everything was delicious and the view…read morefrom the patio is amazing!

Perfect Italian restaurant by Ely and her family-crew…read more Superb Italian food. Freshly made every day. On a excellent location with great views. If You are in the region: a must taste! Make reservations! Service is top as well! Highly recommended!

We had a great time. I recommend this cooking class. It was booked by our travel agent.read more

We had an absolutely delightful experience cooking with Lella and her staff at her Scuola di…read moreCucina! My new husband and I were honeymooning in Italy, and being the foodies that we are, we wanted to try our hands at preparing some of our own Tuscan cuisine. We found Lella through our travel agent and loved every second of our time in her kitchen. We enjoyed a private cooking experience - just us, Lella, Guilia (her assistant) and Angela, our translator. We prepared 5 courses of delicious, authentic Italian food: soup, pasta, meat, side dish and dessert. The soup course was a deliciously simple pappa al pomodoro, a bread and tomato soup with basil, garlic and olive oil. The pasta course was a handmade (by us!) pici pasta with a cheese and black pepper sauce. The side dish was an artichoke souffle made with fresh baby artichokes. We grilled up a delicious veal chop for the meat course, served with baby arugula and a balsamic vinegrette. Finally, we made our own cantuccini, a delicious almond cookie with a delicate orange flavor. Every single dish was very well explained and full of fresh, local ingredients - not to mention incredibly delicious! We've already made the pappa al pomodoro and the cantuccini at home and they turned out ALMOST as good as they did with Lella. As wonderful as the food was, we were most smitten with Lella and her wonderful team. They were all absolutely fantastic, very attentive and happy to have us in their kitchen. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together when the class was over, talking and learning about each other and our favorite foods, recipes and ingredients. The team even took the time to write down some favorite things to do in Tuscany so we could experience a real, local Tuscan experience without the typical tourist traps. As we were preparing to leave, Lella bagged up the rest of the cantuccini for us to enjoy throughout the rest of our trip and at home - and enjoy, we did! Both my husband and I would highly, highly recommend any kind of cooking class you can take with Lella. If you're looking to experience a REAL Tuscan cooking lesson in the heart of Sienna, this is it! Be warned: the school is a little bit tricky to find. Park near the stadium, just outside the Sienna city walls, and call beforehand to ask for specific directions to the school.

The best day we had in Italy was the day spent with Veronica, in her home, making the most…read moredelicious homemade Italian classics. My husband and I were on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy with our 10 year old and 17 year old nieces, and all ages were engaged in the process. We started the day seeing Veronica in town selecting fresh ingredients for our culinary adventure. We followed her from the center of town to her home, which is breathtaking on acres and acres of olive groves and other gorgeous landscaping. We had tasty homemade pastries and then got started. We did a roast, homemade pasta with both a meat and marina sauces, focaccia, salad of pole beans, feta cheese and a champagne vinaigrette, tiramisu and lots of fun and love! She sent us home with leftovers and olive oil from the property, which is sublime! We all agree it was our favorite day of the trip, and one day I hope to return and stay on the property and take another amazing class. Veronica is so knowledgable and warm, and she can teach any age and any personality. So blessed to have found her and spent the memorable day with her.

Veronica is an incredible chef and teacher. Her cooking class was the highlight of our trip to…read moreItaly. The food was delicious but the opportunity to spend an real Tuscan afternoon is something we will treasure always. Our kids were spellbound for the whole time!