Classes

Daily cooking classes in delectable cities

When accommodated at Relais Villa Petrischio you'll have the opportunity to participate in excellent local cooking classes, wine and oil tasting sessions by making your wishes known to the Relais staff.

Siena

In the heart of this Tuscan town, just a few minutes from Piazza del Campo, enjoy a half-day cooking course on Siennese and Tuscan cuisine. Expertly instructed by an admired local chef in a classic regional cooking school, you’ll have hands-on involvement in the food preparation. Following the course, enjoy the dishes you’ve prepared at a festive lunch or dinner in the school. Courses are for individuals or small groups of up to 20. Teaching menus may be personalized upon request.

Florence

Set in the center of the city, this haute-cuisine school provides daily lessons, 3 to 4 hours long, for individuals or small groups. You’ll enjoy the hands-on experience of Italian cuisine preparation. Menus may be chosen in advance in accordance with specific themes: traditional Tuscan cuisine, Italian cuisine, seafood cuisine, pasta, pizza or Italian desserts. Lessons on chocolate and market tours with the chef prior to the start of lessons may be arranged. All lessons are conducted in English by professional chefs. At the end of the lesson, enjoy the dishes that you’ve prepared. Private courses for groups, wine tasting lessons or a combination of the two over several days may be arranged.

Val d’Elsa

This hands-on cooking course takes place within a beautiful 19th century villa. During this 3-hour course, an entertaining, exuberant and expert chef will transform your lesson into a creative game. Following the course, enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied with local wines. As you depart, you’ll receive a small gift, Italian-style.

Montefalco

In the center of an historic hamlet town and under the passionate guidance of your host, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable cuisine experience. Following the entertaining 3-hour cooking course, you’ll savor lunch and a wine tasting session. Then, visit an ancient olive-oil press where the cold press method is still practiced. After exploring the highlights of Montefalco, taste its famous wine, Sagrantino di Montefalco at a small local wine cellar.

Norcia

Relish the art of cuisine from within an historic manor house in the heart of the city center. The 3-hour lesson provides a hands-on experience in preparing a typical local menu. At the end of the preparation, sit down to enjoy your creations accompanied by flavorful local wines. In the afternoon choose to spend your time exploring this beautiful Umbrian city and also perhaps visit one of the small chocolate boutiques where they prepare famous truffle chocolates (cioccolatini al tartufo).

Special interest food & wine excursions

Pienza, San Quirico and Bagno Vignoni

Begin your guided sightseeing tour with an overview of Pienza, a town built for Pope Pius XII. Your visit will include a tasting of Pecorino di Pienza cheese in a typical cheese factory followed by lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon, transfer to the wonderful little village of Bagno Vignoni, built around a huge thermal spa swimming pool dating back to the 12th century. Finally, you’ll stop in San Quirico d’Orcia to visit its Cathedral and the Leonini gardens.

Montepulciano and its wine            

Visit an important vineyard that produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G., then enjoy lunch and wine tasting at the estate. In the afternoon, take pleasure in the guided sightseeing tour of this birthplace of Poliziano. You also may choose to stop in at one of the oldest and unique wine cellars in the world, located in the heart of the town.

Norcia’s cheese making school     

At the cheese making factory in the Norcia area, an expert cheese maker will reveal the secrets required to prepare local cheeses. During your 2-hour course, you’ll prepare your own ricotta cheese to take away with you to enjoy later. We also recommend visiting Norcia itself or the “Valnerina” (Nera valley), with its vast plain the “Piano Grande” and the village of Castelluccio situated atop a high green hill.