Holiday itinerary
The beautiful town of Cortona in Tuscany is renowned for its rich cuisine and fine wines, and will be the setting for this 3 night / 4 day Tuscan cookery short break, ideal for both beginner and intermediate cooks who are interested in learning how to create delicious authentic Italian recipes.
A magnificent former 15th Century palace will be the setting of your 3 nights 4* en-suite accommodation right in the heart of the bustling and vibrant Etruscan town of Cortona. The hotel offers 600 years of history combined with all modern comforts you’d expect from a 4* hotel. Just a few steps from the main square, the hotel San Michele is the ideal base for a wonderful Tuscan cooking holiday.
Your 3 days of Italian cooking lessons with talented chef Jonathan will take place in a converted convent, in the spacious and accommodating kitchen facilities less than 10 minutes walk from your accommodation. In each cooking class you will cook a mouth watering 4-course meal made from selected Tuscan ingredients that you can recreate for friends and family.
Each evening that you cook, you and your fellow culinary artists will dine on the terrace, sipping local wine whilst overlooking the rolling green hills of the beautiful Tuscan landscape for a Tuscan cookery break with a difference.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from beginner cooks to intermediate chefs
- Your chef Jonathan will go into some depth regarding the history and science of the dishes, so even experts will come away having learned quite a lot
- Minimum age 18 (under 18s accepted accompanied by an adult)
- All classes are taught in both Italian and English
Travelling Solo?
- This cooking holiday makes a great singles holiday as it is the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people and there are NO single supplements for a private single room
- Please note that this course runs for a minimum of 2 people and solo travellers can join existing groups. Please contact us on with your ideal dates of travel to check availability
Cooking Break Start Days And Schedule
- This course takes place on set dates during the months of March to October
- Holidays are for 3 nights / 4 days
- Cooking lessons start on the evening of day 1
Cooking Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1 – Arrival and evening cooking class
- If it has been arranged in advance you will be met at the airport (Perugia) or train station (Camucia) on arrival and taken to the accommodation (please note; arrival details must be confirmed at least 14 days in advance of arrival)
- You’ll have the time to settle into your fantastic accommodation, visit the beautiful hill-top Etruscan town and enjoy a real coffee in the Piazza, or relax watching the beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills
- You’ll join the group in the nearby convent kitchen at 6pm to begin your first cooking class
- After cooking, sit down with your fellow guests to enjoy the fruits of your labour over a glass or two of good Tuscan wine
Days 2 and 3 - Free time and evening cooking lessons
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel each morning
- After breakfast, you will have the morning and the afternoon free to explore the local area or take a train to Florence or Rome perhaps
- Your cooking lessons start each day at 6pm at the convent and finish around 10pm after you’ve eaten the delicious meal you’ve learned to cook with wine
- You’ll focus on learning to make a delicious 4 course Italian meal based on traditional regional recipes as selected by chef Jonathan with different menus and dishes each day, building on your cooking skills each day
- Once you’ve cooked, you’ll sit down to enjoy your wonderful meal and wine in this scenic setting
Day 4 - Departure day
- Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel before heading back to the airport
- If you are travelling from Perugia, you’ll have a transfer included
- Take home delicious flavours, good memories and a collection of fantastic Italian recipes to make at home
About Your Chef
- Passionate about enjoying real Italian food your chef Jonathan is British by origin but has been living and cooking in Italy for over two decades and is one of very few Englishmen to have been asked to cook for Italian nobility
- It is a passion that has led him to be invited to teach in England, France and the USA to both amateur and professional Chefs
- As Italians often attend the cookery courses, especially in winter, your classes will be taught in both English and Italian so the Chef’s bilingual daughter is often on hand to help out, a perfect chance for you to get to grips with your Italian food vocabulary!
What Will I Learn?
- You'll learn how to prepare a full 4 course Italian meal on the 3 evenings of your holiday
- The focus on the classes will be on traditional and delicious food from the Tuscany region and you'll be learning to cook food that you will enjoy
- How to select fresh, seasonal produce
- Techniques for dressing the plates
- Each cooking lesson will build on the last one and you’ll develop your cooking skills throughout the 3 days learning some of the Chef’s secrets for great Italian food
Typical Italian Dishes You May Learn To Cook
Antipasti, Zuppe and Insalte
Crostini Neri
Rucola salad
Focaccia
Raw Zucchini salad
Zuppa di Farro
Primi e Secondi Piatti
Gnudi
Tagliata with rosemary (Steak)
Gnocchi alla Gorgonzola
Chicken breast alla Marsala
Radicchio di Treviso
Verdura Saltata
Fried Zucchini flowers
Rabbit with black olives
Grilled Aubergine
Mackerel with balsamic vinegar
Dolci and Formaggi
Crostata
Cantucci
Panna Cotta
Pecorino cheese board and various types of honey
The San Michele 4* Hotel Accommodation
- Your accommodation is set in the heart of the beautiful Tuscan town of Cortona just a few steps from the main square (piazza)
- You’ll stay in a converted 15th Century Italian palace that has been converted into the 4* San Michele hotel
- The palace is an old mansion, which dates back to XV century, restored respecting all its traditional features
- Considered to represent Cortonese history the ministry of Art has declared the hotel to be a “National Monument”
- There are a total of 43 twin/double guest rooms all with private bathrooms, hairdryers, satellite television, a mini-bar, telephone and air conditioning
- Wifi is available in public areas of the hotel for no charge
- If you are travelling solo, you can stay in a twin/double room for sole occupancy with NO single supplement
- Each room is different and unique with wooden beams and offering views over rooftops and the views of the valley
- The accommodation offers all the beauty of an antique palace, restored respecting historical traditions and architecture
- You can drive all the way up to the hotel, if you have hired a car, where staff offer a valet service
- Accommodation is included for 3 nights / 4 days (including arrival and departure days)
- Check in anytime after 2pm on day 1 and check out by 11am on day 4
Meals
- All breakfasts are included and are taken at the San Michele hotel
- A 4 course dinner is included on the 3 evenings that you cook with the chef
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking
Free Time In Italy
- This Italian cookery holiday is packed with culinary delights but in your free time you may want to explore the local area
- The local town of Cortona offers an incredible selection of historical monuments dating back to the town’s Etruscan history
- You will be in the perfect location to explore the surrounding towns of Perugia and Florence, it is also possible to get a direct train to Rome as well if you would like to spend a day in the capital
- Your host will give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area such as the local markets, wine tasting, walking and more
- On 20th February 2012 Italy will celebrate Carnevale, also known as carnival or mardi gras. It is celebrated in Italy 40 days before Easter, a final festival before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent. In Italy, Carnevale is a huge winter festival celebrated with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music, and parties
Visit Cortona market, buy fresh, seasonal food and learn the secrets of cooking fantastic Italian food on this fun and relaxed Italian cookery break with a difference.