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While traveling in Italy, five couples from Sawgrass Country Club scheduled a cooking vacation set in the heart of Tuscany. The villa was quiet and secluded and had a view that seemed to go on forever yet was relatively close to Arezzo and Cortona.
The school was run by Tuscookany, which is internationally known and has three venues. Our cooking location was Villa Torre Del Tartufo. The villa pre-dates 1800 and takes its name from the truffle estate surrounding the villa.
The cooking class taught techniques and plating and focused on Italian-inspired recipes. They only used products produced in Tuscany and improvised if the recipe called for items only sourced from other places (Marsala wine from Sicily). The group, Sly and Mark McCall, Tom and Sam Harkleroad, John and Samantha Brantley, Bill and Nancy McPherson and Frankie and Jerry Felty, along with four other couples, worked with fresh produce, fish and poultry from local markets.
Each day started with breakfast prepared by the school. Pasteries, fruit, charcuteries, eggs and bacon (if requested). All meals were served alfresco. Lunches and dinners (four courses) were prepared by the group and all meals were served by Chef Franco and his staff.
When cooking, which started at 3 p.m. and lasted till 7 p.m., the students were divided into four groups and given specific assignments. Appetizers, side dishes, entrees or desserts. Recipes were challenging, but Chef Franco was always available to help. He could also let you know when you were doing something wrong and help you correct it. You had to collect your herbs from the estate, clean and filet your own fish, prepare the beef or pork and roll out your own pasta and pizza dough.
Dinner was served at 8 p.m. along with special wines and after-dinner aperitifs.
There was also a leisure day and a day of touring.
On touring day, we visited a unique winery owned by a physician who shared his house (a 300-year-old villa), prepared lunch and served delicious wine. We also stopped in town for gelato and a tour of a 100-year-old linen producer that could create custom items, and, yes, the ladies found a few things to purchase.
We also visited a “commune” on top of a mountain that was somewhat unique. Eight families that raised cows, sheep and pigs and supported their community by making and selling outstanding cheese. They made several types of cheese on Mondays and Thursdays and sold it in Arezzo on Tuesdays and Fridays. They also owned a restaurant in Arezzo. Also, another great meal.
It was a great experience, and we would recommend it if you would like to attend a great cooking school and live in the hills of Tuscany for a three- or seven-day course.
Ciao!
