Cookery courses in Italy

Silvia organises cookery courses in Italy on a regular basis. In 2008 and 2009 the courses took place in Umbria, while in 2010 she ran 2 cookery courses in Tuscany, in a charming hamlet just outside of Siena.

She is currently on maternity leave but new course will take place in the Spring - Summer 2013. The location still needs to be confirmed, it may be again in Tuscany, but she is also looking at new sites.

Silvia's cookery courses are a combination of hands-on classes and interesting activities around food, such as understanding about organic farming, visiting a goat cheese farm, go truffle hunting and do wine tasting. But they are also about exploring the region where we are in, such as visiting Siena and its charming synagogue, or gorgeous country estates with beautiful vineyards and a fascinating history. Every region offers different adventures and every cookery course is different and with its own charm. Silvia also teams up with local chefs and cooks who share their regional specialities and love of good food.

Cookery courses typically run for 5 days (Sunday to Friday) but she can also organise shorter week-end breaks (Friday to Sunday) if requested. Her courses are vegetarian unless differently specified, and are for up to 10 people.

Silvia can also organise cookery courses ad hoc. So if you would like to arrange your own group of friends and do a private cookery trip and course in Italy, Silvia will be delighted to organise it with and for you on specifically tailored dates. Birthdays, anniversary, hen weekends or just a great course in Italy because you love cooking!

Below are some pictures from the courses of 2008 & 2009 in Umbria and of 2010 in Tuscany with a few reviews.

If you are interested in knowing more about the upcoming courses in Italy, then please contact Silvia and give your preference of dates and place. As soon as the details and dates are fixed for the forthcoming courses, an email will be sent out to the mailing list. To join Silvia’s mailing list please email her with your address.

Previous courses: reviews & images

Location and People

Fresh Pasta

Other hands-on classes

Truffle hunt and pizza making

Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge

Reviews

“This was such fun from the start. I loved the beautiful farmhouse with its traditional kitchen, where we made delicious food, then ate it on long tables all together in the shade of the dining hall. Silvia was a marvellous teacher, so thoughtful...Nothing was too much trouble, and her attention to detail was amazing. Thank you Silvia for introducing me to the region and its wonderful dishes - all kosher too!”
Sandra, Umbria 2008

“As one of the two men on the course, I fully participated and learnt so much as well as having had great time. The right mix of cooking, eating, drinking, relaxing and sightseeing. Great teachers, great mix of participants.”
Leslie, Umbria 2008

“I want to say how much I enjoyed our recent course in Amelia...You gave us a wonderful insight into good Italian cooking and the diversity of other superb cooks who brought with them great ideas for us to indulge in. I enjoyed each class and not just the joy of watching but hands on and getting the feel of the ingredients, the fun of making pasta to the fish dish, all so interesting and utterly delicious...You thought of absolutely everything to make our stay so special. To go on a course like this has always been my dream - now it is a memory but I can recollect little snippets each day as I cook with a smile on my face.”
Loraine, Umbria 2008

“Silvia is inspirational both as a teacher and as a cook. Her thoughtfulness made it a delightful experience. Even if you have never been in a kitchen before you will enjoy it!... And it was excellent value for the cost.”
Raymond, Umbria 2008

“I have always wanted to attend a cookery course in Italy, but was never able to do so because of Kosher issues. This course was perfect, consisting of mainly vegetarian and fish dishes, with one kosher meat meal. The location was idyllic, the instructors all with different styles and yet passionate about food, and the entire experience was a joy from beginning to end.”
Brenda, Umbria 2008

“This course was the culmination of all my expectations about what a cookery course should be. Great food, great wine, a great company and many laughs. Really loved it.”
Judith, Umbria 2009

“In all, a wonderful adventure, never to be forgotten. Thank you Silvia for making it possible to see real people cooking real food in Italy…and Kosher! Your wonderful and patient teaching has continued to inspire me. Taking us into people’s homes, being treated to their generous hospitality and learning from them was one of the many highlights of the course for me. When I think about it all, the beautiful Umbrian scenery with its magnificent olive groves and vineyards, the delicious food and wonderful company. I wonder if my dream was even half as good as what I experienced in real life. It wasn’t just about the cooking, it was about the love of cooking which has left its mark on me.”
Sue, Umbria 2009

“This was a great experience, different to anything I’ve tried before. A good mix of learning, relaxing and visiting some beautiful places in the Tuscan countryside. Definitely recommended, even for the most novice cooks”
Barbara, Tuscany 2010

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole week, visiting different ‘farms’ and eating such wonderful food was a real treat, I really cannot fault any part of the time we spent in Tuscany. Every thought was given to our enjoyment and comfort by your wonderful advance planning, well done Silvia! If I am able to go on another trip I would not hesitate to go, and I have also recommended this trip to all my ‘walking’ friends (20!). Thanks again for a really marvellous week, and also special thanks to our hosts Orsa and her family and June”
Jacqui, Tuscany 2010

“My cooking trip to Tuscany with Silvia was a lovely time for me to enjoy what I like doing most– cooking. Silvia has a passion for food and for Italy and that was evident in everything she did. The location was lovely and the food delicious. I would not hesitate in recommending Silvia and the experience”
Claire, Tuscany 2010

“Our cookery course in Tuscany was more than just a cookery course. Our outings to an organic goat farm, to the Palio rehearsal in Siena, to Monaciano, to a food market etc. all added to an experience of enormous pleasure and understanding of the Italian way of life. We also extended our range of recipes and ate the delicious food we had prepared under expert tuition”
Sandra, Tuscany 2010

“A very enjoyable and leisurely way to enjoy and learn something of the cuisine and culture of the region”
Geoffrey, Tuscany 2010

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