There's something about returning to a place you love and finding that the people who make it special are just as happy to see you as you are to see them. That's how I felt during this year's Cook Like a Tuscan tour with The Chopping Block and Onward Travel.
We spent one glorious week in October cooking, eating, drinking wine and exploring the Tuscan countryside with a group of enthusiastic food lovers. While the scenery never disappoints (more on those sunsets later), I've come to realize that what makes this trip so memorable isn't just the food or the beautiful places we visit. It's the people who welcome us into their kitchens, share their traditions and make us feel like part of their extended Italian family.
And this year, we had some wonderful surprises along the way.
Starting the Week with a Taste of Chianti
We always begin our culinary adventure with a pasta lunch in the charming village of Greve, which seems like the only appropriate way to kick off a week devoted to Italian food. After all, when in Tuscany, why waste any time getting to the good stuff?
This year, Chef Laura prepared our first dinner at the villa, and she certainly made a memorable first impression. Her beautiful meal featured Chianti risotto with crispy pancetta, a dish that celebrates the region's famous red wine in a completely different way. After our pasta-filled lunch, it was a lovely introduction to other ingredients and flavors we'd be exploring throughout the week.
There's something wonderful about that first evening at the villa. Everyone is settling in, getting to know their fellow travelers and beginning to realize that this beautiful place surrounded by vineyards will be home for the next week. Add a delicious meal, excellent local wine and good company, and it's a pretty fantastic way to start a vacation.
Twice the Cooking with Mirella and Stefano
One of the things I love most about Cook Like a Tuscan is that we don't just eat incredible food. We learn how to make it from people who have spent their lives cooking it.
Cooking with Chefs Mirella and Stefano during Cook Like a Tuscan 2023
Chefs Mirella and Stefano have become such favorites with our travelers that we decided one cooking class with them simply wasn't enough. This year, we added a second hands-on class at the villa, giving everyone two opportunities to learn from this talented couple.
Our first class focused on cucina povera, the traditional peasant cooking that forms the foundation of so much Tuscan cuisine. It's a style of cooking I particularly appreciate because it demonstrates how humble ingredients, treated with care and skill, can become something extraordinary. Beans, vegetables, herbs and other seasonal ingredients take center stage, and there's so much to learn from the techniques that generations of Tuscan cooks have passed down.
For our second class, Mirella and Stefano took things up a notch with a more elevated approach to Tuscan cuisine. It was a wonderful contrast to our first lesson and a chance to explore how those same regional traditions can translate into a more sophisticated meal.
What makes cooking with Mirella and Stefano so special isn't just their knowledge. It's their warmth, enthusiasm and genuine pleasure in sharing what they know. They make everyone feel comfortable in the kitchen, whether they're experienced cooks or simply eager to learn something new.
After watching how much our travelers enjoyed working with them, I'm convinced that adding the second class was one of our best decisions.
A Familiar Face Returns to Badia a Coltibuono
Another highlight this year was the return of Chef Patrizia to Badia a Coltibuono after a short absence.
If you've ever taken a cooking class with Patrizia, you know exactly why I was so happy to see her back. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she has a way of making everyone feel like they're participating in something truly special.
Badia a Coltibuono is an extraordinary place to learn about Tuscan cooking. The historic abbey, surrounded by vineyards and gardens, provides a setting that would be memorable even without the food. But once you step into the kitchen and start working with Patrizia, the experience gets even better.
Our travelers rolled up their sleeves to make fresh pasta and sauce, learning techniques they can take home and put to use in their own kitchens. And, of course, the reward for all that hard work was sitting down to enjoy what we'd prepared, accompanied by the estate's wines.
Year after year, our travelers tell us that this cooking class is one of their favorite experiences of the entire trip. Having Patrizia back made it even better.
A VIP Experience with Dario Cecchini
You can't spend a week in Panzano in Chianti without talking about its most famous resident, butcher Dario Cecchini.
Dario has become internationally known for his approach to butchery, his larger-than-life personality and his belief in honoring the entire animal. A visit to his butcher shop and restaurant is always a highlight of our tour, especially for anyone who appreciates great meat and the skill involved in preparing it.
Of course, Dario's busy schedule means we can't always count on him being in town when we visit. This year, we got lucky!
Not only was Dario there, but our group was treated to an extra-special experience. We helped prepare Brasato al Midollo, a rich braised beef dish featuring bone marrow and unlike previous years, it was served just to our group in the downstairs kitchen, separate from the other diners. It isn't every day that you get invited into the kitchen and are personally served by one of the world's most famous butchers and his wife!
We certainly felt like VIPs, and it was one of those experiences that reminded me why traveling with a small group and knowledgeable local partners can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.
And yes, we ate a lot of meat!
The People Who Make Our Villa a Home
While our chefs and winemakers tend to get much of the attention, there are two other people who deserve some recognition for making our time in Tuscany so comfortable.
Rudina and Anila are the wonderful housekeepers at our villa in Panzano in Chianti, and they take such good care of our travelers throughout the week. They're part of what makes returning to this beautiful property feel so familiar and welcoming.
This year, I brought them each a Chopping Block apron as a small thank-you for everything they do. It was a simple gesture, but one I was especially happy to make because the people working behind the scenes are such an important part of the experience.
And Then There Are Those Sunsets...
I've written about our villa in Panzano before, but I don't think I'll ever get tired of talking about the views.
Our home for the week sits among the vineyards of the Fontodi wine estate, with sweeping views of the Chianti countryside. It's beautiful at any time of day, but sunset is when the place really shows off.
As the sun drops behind the hills, the vineyards turn golden and the sky seems to change colors every few minutes. No matter how busy our day has been, there's always a reason to stop what we're doing, grab a glass of wine and take it all in.
I have more sunset photos on my phone than I could possibly need, yet somehow I can't resist taking a few more every evening. I suspect I'll be doing exactly the same thing next year.
Cook Like a Tuscan Returns in 2027
I'm thrilled to announce that we're returning to Tuscany in 2027 for another week of hands-on cooking, exceptional food and wine, and the kind of experiences that make this trip so special.
I'll once again be leading the tour alongside my friend, fellow food enthusiast and sommelier, Viktorija Todorovska. We make a great team, combining our love of cooking, wine and travel with the local relationships that make these experiences possible.
Enjoying a sunset with Viktorija during Cook Like a Tuscan 2026
In fact, we're also leading a culinary tour to Puglia together next spring, and that trip is already sold out! I'm looking forward to exploring another delicious region of Italy with her before we return to our beloved Tuscany in the fall.
If you've been thinking about joining us, Cook Like a Tuscan is much more than a sightseeing vacation with a few good meals thrown in. You'll spend time in real Tuscan kitchens, learn from passionate local chefs, visit wineries, explore historic towns and discover why the food of this region is so deeply connected to its people and traditions.
You'll also have plenty of opportunities to relax, enjoy the countryside and get to know your fellow travelers. Some of my favorite moments from these trips happen around the dinner table, when the cooking is finished, the wine is flowing and everyone is sharing stories from the day.
Our small-group tours are designed for people who love food, whether you're an experienced home cook or simply someone who enjoys eating well and learning something new. You don't need professional cooking skills, and solo travelers are always welcome.
Registration for Cook Like a Tuscan 2027 is now open!
Explore Cook Like a Tuscan 2027 and reserve your spot
I already know I'll be taking more sunset pictures. I hope you'll be there to enjoy the view with me!
