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La Villa Cucina

The School
La Villa Cucina...Celebrating 10 years of Italian culinary travel inTuscany, Umbria and Sicily (2008)!

A message from Daniel !

Those of you who have joined me in culinary classes across the United States have long enjoyed the foods and traditions shared. My classes are a result of years of passionate travel and extensive research within Italy. I am always asked...How can we duplicate your exciting Italian culinary travel experiences? In response to this ever popular question, I have created La Villa Cucina !

La Villa Cucina, my unique full participation culinary travel program integrates the popular villa holiday with a culinary school vacation. This year La Villa Cucina explores the beautiful regions of Tuscany and Umbria! I will start the program year this spring in Tuscany; our Supertuscan Gastronomic Wine Tour includes four full participation culinary classes…my summer Classic Tuscan Cooking Week, includes five culinary classes and a special trip to the island of Elba… both at Tenuta la Bandita. My Autumn in Umbria cooking week will be at Il Poggio degli Olivi.

The multi-session culinary programs take place in the villa’s professional kitchen. Class size is limited to twelve guests in order to ensure personalized attention and optimal comfort. Menus and methods reflect "La Cucina Regionale Italiana," emphasizing the use of authentic ingredients and classic culinary techniques. All classes are taught in English. A typical class begins with a brief introduction of the day's recipes and ingredients. Students are then divided into groups, each responsible for a specific dish for the day's multi-course menu. Classes run for approximately four hours, followed by lunch (or dinner) when the day's culinary creations, complete with wine, are served in an elegant dining room.

Clearly, a culinary travel program would not be complete without travel! Full and half-day excursions to important Tuscan and Umbrian hill towns and cities are planned. Pre-determined trips include visits to local restaurants and markets. Artisans who specialize in food, wine and ceramics show us their centuries old customs and ways.

I invite you to join me as we celebrate the seasons of Italian cooking and culture at Tenuta la Bandita and Il Poggio degli Olivi. Experience the abundance of Italy in the company of old friends and new acquaintances.

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