Cooking Classes in Italy

Information about the various cooking programmes:

Single day (1 lesson):- can be organized any weekday either for dinner or lunch This lesson is for a minimum of five people and we need no less than 5 day’s notice to organize the class.

Single Day Dinner example:

Check-in at reception at 3:30 pm to meet Chef Chandra Sina and enjoy an aperitif with the other guests before taking a guided tour of the castle and museum. After the tour the one-day ‘Italian cooking class’ will begin and in three hours Chandra will explain the basics of traditional Italian cuisine and concentrate on traditionl Maremma dishes of the region.

Guests will learn how to prepare a complete menu under the supervision of the chef and at the end of the lesson guests will take their place at the table to enjoy the meal they have prepared and drink the carefully chosen wines.

Weekend (2 lessons) – example:

Arrival and check-in at reception on Friday evening, lessons take place Saturday and Sunday morning followed by lunch – this leaves the afternoon and evenings free for guest to enjoy the other facilities on offer in the castle grounds.

  • Friday - arrival at the castle before 6pm, check-in and collect the keys to your apartment and spend some time familiarizing with your surroundings. At 7pm Chef Chandra will explain the presentation of the next two days and there will be a tour of the castle and museum

  • Saturday - 10 am the first lesson begins the next three hours will be spent with your fellow students under the watchful eye of the chef who will, initially, explain the basics of traditional Italian cuisine. Then it’s your turn to follow his instruction for the preparation and cooking of a complete menu. At the end of the lesson pupils will enjoy the meal of the dishes they prepared

  • Free afternoon for relaxation, activities around the castle or exploring the surrounding area

  • Sunday - 10 am the second lesson begins with a more in-depth look at the basics necessary for the preparation of a special ‘Maremma’ menu and then you will all sit down to enjoy a well-earned Sunday lunch.

  • At the end of the meal, every student will be presented with a diploma and a CD containing all the recipes and the candid photographs of the cooking class taken over the weekend.

  • Check-out by 5 pm

Full Week (5 lessons) from Saturday to Saturday

  • Saturday - check-in at reception at 6 pm to meet Chef Chandra Sina and enjoy an aperitif with the other guests before taking a guided tour of the castle and museum. After the tour guests have the rest of the evening to enjoy the castle grounds

  • Sunday - 10am, the first lesson begins and the next three hours will be spent with your fellow students under the guidance of the chef who will, initially, explain the basics of traditional Italian cuisine. Then it’s your turn to follow his instruction for the preparation and cooking of a traditional Italian menu, you will then enjoy the well-earned Sunday lunch you have just cooked.

  • Free afternoon for relaxation, activities around the castle or exploring the surrounding area.

  • Monday - 10 am the second lesson will concentrate on the preparation of the first courses of Maremma traditional cuisine - pasta, soup and rice. Once again guests will follow, the preparation of a complete menu with tips and encouragement from the chef. As with all the lessons at the end of the session the group sits down together to enjoy the fruits of their new found combined culinary expertise
    Free afternoon for various extra activities

  • Tuesday am – Guests will be free to relax during the morning and early afternoon which are dedicated to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of the castle, its grounds and activities. At 4:30 the third lesson begins and is based on the preparation of the main courses of Maremma traditional cuisine red and white meat and game. The efforts of your third lesson will again find their way to the dining table for you to enjoy.

  • Wednesday - a free day, or if you prefer - after breakfast an accompanied visit to Orvieto for a tour of the Medieval part of the city, then leave by train for a trip to one of the ‘Arts Cities’, Rome, Siena, Florence. Return at the end of a cultural day out to the castle by organized transfer return from Orvieto.

  • Thursday - 10 am begins the fourth lesson this is particularly appreciated by those with a ‘sweet tooth! This lesson concentrates on the preparation of desserts of Maremma traditional cuisine. Naturally, the class will be expected to taste the delightful creations at lunch! The rest of the day is dedicated to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of the castle, relax or take up extra activities.

  • Friday: morning and early afternoon is free to relax and perhaps visit Lake Bolsena which is only a ten minute drive. At 4:30pm begins the final lesson in which you will prepare your last evening meal of a SPECIAL MENU of Maremma traditional cuisine to include fish, truffle, mushrooms and game you will use your new-found skills in the preparation of a complete menu under the guidance of the chef. At the end of the lesson pupils will take their places to enjoy a meal based on the dishes they have just prepared.
    At the end of the course, every student will receive a diploma and a CD with all the recipes and photos related with the cooking class they have attended

  • Saturday - check-out of Santa Cristina by 10am.