ARE YOU READY FOR THE HEALTHIEST COOKING CLASS IN TUSCANY?
We will use ingredients coming from a local organic farm that cultivates ancient grains, cereals, and heritage legumes, grown following traditional methods from before the industrialization of agriculture in the 1950s and 1960s.
THE BEST ORGANIC PRODUCTS
These ancient grains, like spelt and farro, have a long and rich history, but they are also very powerful from a nutritional point of view. Compared to modern and highly processed flours, ancient grains are a healthier option because they keep more of their original nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also usually contain lower levels of gluten, which makes them a good choice for people with gluten sensitivities.
Together with the grains, the heritage legumes used in the class add important plant proteins, natural flavor, and high digestibility, completing a balanced and traditional diet.
COOKING TIME
The location of this cooking class is our kitchen at Rita's farm in Montefoscoli. During the hands-on cooking class, where you'll learn traditional recipes from a local cook, we will go deeper into the history and the nutritional benefits of ancient grains and heritage legumes. You will learn why these ingredients are considered a better choice for digestion and for giving long-lasting energy. We will show how adding them to your everyday cooking can create a more genuine, healthy, and satisfying food experience.
You will enjoy a hands-on experience and discover directly, through touch, taste, and smell, the intense flavors that these special organic products bring to every dish. Your stomach will also be grateful, because food prepared with ancient grains and heritage legumes is nourishing and easy to digest.
EXTRA: If you have time and you wish to learn more about ancient grains and heritage legumes, we suggest extending your day by adding a visit with your guide to the ancient grain farm, its mill, and its bakery.
This optional activity adds approximately one extra hour to your experience, at a small additional cost.
THE MENU
The selection includes four courses, chosen from the following dishes, all prepared using ancient grain flours or heritage legumes: • Pasta dell'orto, Handmade fresh pasta with a vegetarian seasonal sauce of your choice • Insalata di farro, Farro salad prepared with seasonal vegetables • Zuppa di farro alla garfagnina, Tuscan-style thick farro soup • Minestra di ceci, (con o senza riso), Thick chickpea soup (with or without rice) • Minestra di fagioli (con o senza pastina), Thick cannellini bean soup (with or without pastina) • Minestra di grani, Thin grain and vegetable soup • Zuppa lombarda, Thin bean soup and crispy bread • Fagioli rifatti, Cannellini bean stew in tomato sauce • Panzanella, Bread salad with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and basil • Pappa al pomodoro, Thick bread soup with tomato, garlic, sage, and basil • Dolce all'olio, Olive oil cake • Biscotti alle mandorle o cioccolato, Cookies or biscuits with almonds or chocolate
This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this class. Please, note that the specialties of the menu prepared at the class may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the class.
A great Super Food from Tuscany: the Farro. The spelt salad is a delicious salad based on boiled farro (Italian for a grain called “spelt”, similar to barley) and dressed with seasonal fresh vegetables like tomatoes, pickled artichokes and carrots, olives and capers.
One of the most delicious fresh Summer salads of Tuscany, based on bread and fresh vegetables like cucumbers, onion, tomatoes and basil and dressed with extra virgin olive oil and Tuscan vinegar. Originally a way to reuse old bread, it has recently become one of the most iconic super-foods of Tuscany.
One of the most delicious specialties of Tuscany: a base of red tomato sauce and garlic and stale bread make a thick bread soup, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and finished with leaves of basil or sage. It is fundamental for the bread to be really hard and a fresh vegetable stock is ideal […]
A plate of maccheroni made in Tuscany with a delicate sauce of cauliflowers and tomatoes. Maccheroni are one of the most popular kind of pasta that the Italians eat with seasonal sauces almost every day. The most delicious version is Maccheroni di Toscana by Pastificio Martelli.
One of the best toppings for home made tagliatelle is a delicious sauce of porcini mushrooms sauted in olive oil with garlic, hot pepper and parsley. The mushrooms should be fresh but in the off season we can alternate them with dried porcini which must be specifically revived in stock. The best vegetarian tagliatelle topping.
Cantuccini biscuits in Tuscany are one of the most common desserts. They are made of sugar, butter and eggs and they are refined with almonds. In some versions they have other dry nuts or chocolate. Outside of Italy they are also called “biscotti”.
The Tuscan soil provides a wide variety of red wines, from easy-to-drink young table wines to full-body and robust riservas. Tuscan red wines are often based on Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo or Colorino grapes and sometimes on international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet or Syrah. The most curious experiements are recently involving Alicante and Tempranillo!
Even if it does not belong to a very old tradition, Tuscan Rose Wine has recently become a much desired kind of wine. Often it is based on Tuscan Sangiovese grapes, rose wine is a great match to most Tuscan foods, especially in the hot summers. Rose wine is very frequently served in our wine […]
Tuscan white wines are often based on a typical grape called Vermentino, which provides strong minerality and freshness to the wines made with it. The area of San Gimignano provides the one and only white wine DOCG in Tuscany: Vernaccia. Other very common grapes for white wines in Tuscany are Trebbiano and Malvasia.
The best extra virgin olive oil is made with fresh Tuscan olives immediately squeezed after the harvest at an oil mill. The most common olives for Tuscan olive oil are frantoio, leccino, frantoio and madremignola. EVOO is produced every year in October and November.
The most common coffee ordered at Italian bars is espresso. Its quantity is very small and it is supposed to be nicely creamy on the top. Many Italians sip it quickly while standing at a bar, so not sitting or longly debating around it.
In our cooking class we like telling you a lot about Tuscan farms and farmers' cooking traditions, introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters.
You will have one of our guides as a language assistants and coordinator with you during the whole class. Please, see below all the guides and language assistants who can be with you.
During this experience you will also meet one of our Tuscan cooks who give you the cooking class. Please, see below which cooks you are likely to encounter.
Cristiano
guide
Cristiano
Tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
My name is Cristiano, and I live just outside the walls of Pisa, not far from the Leaning Tower. When I was a child, I lived in Mexico with my family, where I attended an international school in English. I graduated from a linguistic high school and speak English, Spanish, and French. I also worked for many years as a travel agent and managed tourist reception activities in Morocco.
Since 2024, I have been part of the Arianna & Friends team. Passionate about traveling the world, I love meeting new people and exchanging experiences and stories with them. I’ve been told I am a very charming and fun person, and many of the cooking classes where I act as the story-teller end with me singing traditional Italian songs alongside the chef, and sometimes even with our guests! I’m energetic, love sharing entertaining stories, and enjoy laughing with our guests while introducing them to Tuscan recipes, culture, and lifestyle.
My role here also includes being a tour leader for e-bike and Vespa tours, and my favorite activity to lead, beyond cooking classes, is the hands-on cheese-making experience
In my free time, I play tennis, love traveling to Asia, and enjoy hiking through the Tuscan hills with my friends and my dog, Ciccio.
I look forward to welcoming you in Tuscany and sharing unforgettable moments together!
Yvonne
guide
Yvonne
Tour leader and wine expert at Arianna & Friends'
Dé – people smile at me, when I say it
But this is what Livorno, my beloved port town at the Tuscan sea, did to me – it placed itself into my heart. My name is Yvonne, and I have been living in several places on the world, but Tuscany kept calling me …
and here I am.
I love the wind, the sea, good wine and nature. In one word: Tuscany.
I love to share my passion and expertise about wine as a gift of nature with people. It makes me happy, when I hear people laugh while they enjoy a stunning E-bike ride through the rolling Tuscan contryside. And I love seeing their eyes shine when they discover the fascinating transformation of olives into delicious extra virgin olive oil.
Let’s enjoy it together – as your travel companion and tour guide, I am happy to make you discover the hidden gems and dive into the vibes of Tuscany.
Luca
guide
Luca
Tour leader and websites content manager at Arianna & Friends'
Ciao Amici!! My name is Luca. I’m in my 40s and I’m probably one of the most energetic and fun-loving guides at Arianna & Friends
Like some of my colleagues, I have a multi-tasking role in the company. I am one of the content managers of our websites, especially during the winter, and when the season starts, I work as a tour leader.
Sometimes I also take care of bookings directly, and I often carry out site inspections to meet new collaborators and service providers, so we can be sure that every year the company offers new and interesting tours. From March to October, I lead almost all types of wine & food tours and cooking classes at Arianna & Friends. My favorites are truffle, olive oil, e-bike, and Vespa tours. Riding a Vespa through our wonderful hills is a must-do while in Tuscany, of course, only if you know how to ride a scooter!
When I started working for Arianna & Friends back in 2011, I was only able to prepare a very simple pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce). Now, after so many years of cooking classes and thanks to our wonderful cooks, I am a very good chef (but please, don’t tell my wife!).
My motto is “Smile, you are in Tuscany.” I’m happy and very proud when I see people enjoying my country and having fun in Tuscany. Join us! Join me! Let’s have fun together!!
Alessandro
guide
Alessandro
Tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
Buongiorno! My name is Alessandro. I was born and raised in a charming village near San Miniato, and I’ve spent my life immersed in the beauty of Tuscany. After traveling to England and Spain, I returned home to share my passion for my region. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, including roles in restaurants, hotels, and pubs, I’ve honed my skills in providing exceptional guest experiences. My sommelier training has deepened my knowledge of Tuscan wines and cuisine.
I am a thoughtful and patient person, always ready to solve problems and ensure every guest feels cared for and well looked after. Now, as a proud member of the Arianna & Friends team, I’m thrilled to share the stories and traditions of my homeland with visitors from around the world. Join me on a journey through the heart of Tuscany, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes come together.
Silvia
friend
Silvia
Ciao, I'm Silvia, one of the youngest cooks at Arianna & Friends'. Cooking is my real passion and I like to prepare any traditional dish both for visitors and for my family. I also love baking pizza as well as trying innovative food and special contemporary techniques, especially in my kitchen at home. When I started working for this company in 2018, I met an incredible team of collaborators and with them I finally feel joy and serenity in what I do. Any time I work as a cook I can breath freedom and this makes me happy.
As I really love the sea, in my free time I like being at the beach. I have a passion for travelling and being in the company of my friends. I could define myself as a "free spirit" with a big attraction to ... hats !!!
Looking forward to meet you all!
Arianna
guide
Arianna
Founder and owner at Arianna & Friends'
And that’s me, Arianna. When I was a student at the University of Pisa, I had a dream. I already knew that I somehow wanted to spread our Tuscan culture, but I didn’t yet know in which ways. I also knew that I first needed to educate myself more, to go deeper into what, for me, belonged to everyday life, before making it available to others.
Together with a team of enthusiasts like me, we carried out a lot of research, made many contacts, and finally found a good way to become ambassadors of Tuscan culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Yes, I admit it: the power that moved everything was my passion for food! For good food, and in particular for the delicious food of my mamma and my nonna, hehehh! It was by learning from my family that I started thinking I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share everything I knew with others. It couldn’t be any different, because here where we live, food is culture!
So we came up with a name for our project, our future business, that had to convey this message: spend time with us, your Tuscan friends, and you’ll feel like part of a family and experience Tuscany in a very authentic way. Also, meet our friends, all the farmers, cooks, and storytellers who represent our territory. The name Arianna & Friends was chosen as the best option.
Personally, I love planning, making people happy, organizing, and having crazy ideas… so crazy that sometimes my colleagues need to bring me back down to earth! I like making sure that people are more than satisfied when they return home from their Tuscan experience. I’m lucky to have Consuelo, Moira, Luca, Davide, Anna, Diletta, Yvonne, Alessandro, and Cristiano with me, along with all the cooks and assistants and all the other “friends” who help us provide excellent services, all of us, always with a big smile on our faces :)
Ester
friend
Ester
Ciao, I'm Ester, one of the cooks of Arianna & Friends'. I've been working with them since the beginning of their adventure in 2007.
I love cooking together with people from all over the world, especially with young kids.
What I prefer to cook is pasta dishes, pizza and desserts, like for example the stunning cake I made to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary.
I live, like Davide (my nephew), in the little village of Lajatico, birthplace of Andrea Bocelli and from my home I can hear his voice and see something when Teatro del Silenzio takes place in July.
I live on a farm and I have chickens, rabbits, a large vegetable garden. I make my own olive oil and wine together with my family.
I hope to be able to cook with many of you in the years to come and teach you a lot of our typical Tuscan food.
Rita
guide
Rita
Manager at Rita's farm
Olá amigos! I am Rita, an enthusiastic collaborator of Arianna and Friends for many years now. I was born and raised in Porto (Portugal), but I have spent many years living in Tuscany. I got in love with Italy and especially with this region for several reasons. Many of them are the ones that make you visit it: healthy environment, good food and wine, magic sceneries...but let's be honest... I majorly got in love with a handsome Italian man! Together with my husband Aronne, pursuing our passion for nature and animals, I manage a small organic farm in the countryside of Montefoscoli, a little typical village 15 min far from Arianna and Friends' office, surprisingly full of history. Our most important production is organic extra virgin olive oil, which we use in every cooking class. You will also be enjoying some of our wine, vegetables and herbs. You can visit us not only for a cooking class, but also for an olive harvest and olive oil tasting, a picknick in our oakwood or just as a brief stop during your tour. Whenever you visit us my family will be welcoming you with joy! But most probably the first ones saying hello to you will be Elsa, our very friendly dog, hens, chicks and roosters, a donkey, and two cats! You will go back in time and learn how it was back here almost 200 years ago. I am looking forward to meeting you at Rita’s farm.
Giulietta
friend
Giulietta
Giulietta is a sweet little donkey living at Rita's Farm. She is among the several pets on the farm together with Elsa the dog and Primo and Tuga the cats and a number of chickens and ducks
This is a message from Toni, who enjoyed a private pasta making class at the organic ancient grain
Thank you, for such an amazing afternoon of cooking and eating. They are a great team, entertaining, informative and fun!!
I'd like to get the recipes, if possible, for the meal we made. Thanks for your help.
This are the words of Kate, who enjoyed our ancient grain cooking class while visiting Italy with her family:
Dear Arianna,
I just wanted to pass on our highest praise and thanks for a simply wonderful class on Friday. We had the best time! Massimo and Esther were so wonderful. We loved the class and will be certain to review favourably on tripadvisor.
Massimo mentioned you could email us the recipes we made? Would that be ok? We are planning a Tuscan feast for our friends now!
Kind regards and thanks again.
This is a message from Nella who joined us for a cookery lesson while visiting Italy:
Hi Arianna,
I have posted a review on Tripadvisor as requested. I returned from overseas last Thursday and posted the review yesterday (Sunday).
I would like to thank you once again for being a part of my 50th birthday celebrations and making it an enjoyable day for everyone.
Could you please email me the recipes for all the items on the menu we had on the 18th of May. It would be most appreciated.
I hope all is well in bella Toscana and I look forward to my next visit.
Regards,
Nella
This is an email we received from Rasha, after having a tour with Arianna:
Hi Arianna i miss you so much we always talk about you and how sweet you are, we cant forget the tour you arrange it for us,it was really nice and you are really friendly.
I send picture for you maybe you will need it.
every body say hi to you,please be in tuch..
Rasha from Kuwait
This is an email arrived on from Lynn and her friends, who enjoyed a cooking class on our farm with the teaching of Ester and the assistance of Luca:
Last week myself and 2 friends took a cooking class near Peccoli that was arranged by your company. It was WONDERFUL! Ester and Luca were great. Luca said he would send recipes to my email but I have not gotten them yet. Could you please send the recipes for the fabulous meal that we made? I am anxious to get cooking now that I am home.
Thank You,
Lynn
—–
Boungiorno, Luca!
Thanks for the fast reply to my email! I am going to try the veal ragu tonight! If it is not too much trouble we would also love the recipe for the chocolate salami we made.
I am attaching some pictures for you. I will also be happy to recommend Arianna and Friends on trip advisor! I think our cooking class was the highlight of my 2 weeks in Tuscany!
Ciao!
Lynn
Smiling after a cookery lesson at the ancient grain farm
Cooking lesson with Ester and Luca
Hand-making tagliatelle with the special organic flour of the organic farm of our tour
ACCESSIBILITY:
This activity does not present any particular physical challenges. However, if you have any accessibility needs — whether mobility-related, sensory, cognitive, or any other requirements — please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate you. LOCATION OF THE COOKING VENUE:
The premises of the tour take place in the Valdera area, 10 km from Selvatelle and Volterra; 15 km from San Gimignano and 20 km from Montaione MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the meeting point with the language assistant is at our office in la Rosa. Detailled instructions will be provided. DURATION:
3 hours + time for lunch or dinner. Transportation not included. AVAILABILITY:
Available all the year through, from Mondays through Saturdays in the morning, followed by lunch, or in the afternoon, followed by dinner. LANGUAGE:
This class is available in English, German, French, Spanish or Italian with no surcharge. DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children CLOTHING:
No particular clothing required. FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
The foods served during this cooking class might contain gluten, lactose, nuts and alcohol. If you have any food restriction, please inform our personnel during the enquiry process. TRANSPORTATION:
This program and its rates do not include transportation and are set on a self-driving base. For further information see the box "transportation options".
The destinations reached during this activity are in the Tuscan countryside, in areas off the beaten track that cannot be reached by public transport. We highly recommend renting a car or a scooter in order to reach them. As an alternative, we can offer a valued service by chauffeured car, van or minibus. Any cost of transportation is to be added to the rates displayed on the rate table of this page.
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