One of the questions people often ask when they’re considering group travel is, “Will I know anyone?”
It’s a fair question. Signing up for a week-long experience with a group of strangers can feel like a leap. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned after traveling with our guests on The Chopping Block's Cook Like a Tuscan tour, it’s this:
You might arrive as strangers, but you rarely leave that way.
In fact, the travelers from our Fall 2025 Cook Like a Tuscan tours have been proving that over and over again in the months since we returned from Italy. The trip may have lasted a week, but the friendships formed around the table are clearly sticking around much longer.
A Tuscan Reunion… in Chicago
Earlier this month, all 12 members of the second Tuscany group found their way back to The Chopping Block for a reunion that started with a simple idea.
Marti Overton suggested in the group’s WhatsApp thread that everyone should get together for one of our classes. Before long, Betty added another layer to the plan: drinks beforehand at Artango Bar & Steakhouse in Lincoln Square so everyone could catch up properly.
And just like that, a reunion was born.
They gathered for our Dumplings Around the World class earlier this month — an evening that quickly turned into a joyful reminder of the week they spent cooking together in Tuscany.
If you’ve ever taken one of our hands-on classes, you know the energy: people laughing over cutting boards, comparing techniques, and sharing stories while wine flows freely. Now imagine that energy layered on top of a group that had already spent a week traveling, cooking, and eating together in Italy.
“It was like we saw each other yesterday,” Marti shared afterward. “This is such a great group of people.”
Another traveler Val Paluszak described the reunion the same way: “It was the best! Like no time at all had passed since we were last together.”
Another traveler Rose Dante agreed. "I missed the heck out of my Tuscany friends! We picked up right where we left off, with lots of laughs!"
Watching them together that night was a little like watching a family reunion — except everyone had met less than a year earlier.
How a Week in Tuscany Turns Strangers Into Friends
There’s something about a culinary trip that accelerates connection.
When you travel together, you’re not just seeing the same sights. You’re sharing meals, working side-by-side in kitchens, discovering local flavors, and navigating a new place together.
In Tuscany, our days were filled with moments like:
- Making fresh pasta together
- Sitting around long tables with local wine
- Visiting markets and small producers
- Exploring hill towns and countryside views
- Cooking alongside Italian chefs
That rhythm of cooking, eating, and exploring creates a kind of natural camaraderie.
Val summed it up perfectly when reflecting on the trip: “After that first day, the friendships just formed naturally.”
Rose echoed the same sentiment. “I truly believe I’ve made lifelong friends with this group. We all get along so well. ”
And the reunion class proved she's right.
The Group Chat That Never Went Quiet
One of the unexpected things that happened after the Tuscany trip was how active the group’s WhatsApp thread remained.
What started as a convenient way to communicate during the trip turned into a virtual meeting place long after everyone returned home.
People share:
- Photos of dishes they’re cooking
- Travel updates
- Wine recommendations
- Memories from Tuscany
- Plans for future meetups
- General nonsense (according to Marti)
It’s the kind of ongoing conversation that happens when people genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and it’s not just this group of Tuscany travelers.
A Florida Connection
Meanwhile, some of the members of the first week of the Tuscany tour had their own reunions this year in sunny Florida — one of which was completely by chance.
Two of the travelers, Charlie and Andrea Siebert, live in Sebring in Central Florida. Marion Bardman, Pauline Shen and Bob Wild spend part of the year nearby in Poinciana. In January, they all met up for lunch at Mae Lee’s in Sebring before strolling through town and catching up.
The same group also recently met up with Stephanie Farmer and Michael Fazio who spend time in Coral Springs, Florida. They are drinking the Fontodi Chianti and a bottle of brunello that the Sieberts had ordered while in Tuscany. The villa we stay in is on the Fontodi vineyards so we enjoy their wine during many lively evenings!
And just a couple of weeks ago, something strange happened.
Charlie and Andrea happened to be visiting Bok Tower Gardens, a beautiful historic garden in Central Florida. While walking through the gardens, they unexpectedly ran into Marion. Completely by coincidence!
Three people who met in Tuscany, bumping into each other again in Florida months later. That's just more proof that once these friendships start, they have a funny way of continuing.
The Sicily Travelers Are Doing the Same Thing
The pattern isn’t limited to Tuscany either. Chef Lisa Counts’ Sicily tour group from last fall has stayed just as connected.
They’ve had multiple dinners together in Chicago, gathered for a Halloween celebration, and continue chatting regularly in their WhatsApp group about everything from travel to Italian news — including updates about Mount Etna erupting.
Their shared inside joke from the trip? Aperol Spritzes. Apparently they were such a hit in Sicily that one traveler even started an Instagram account dedicated to their spritz adventures.
Recently, several members of that group met again for brunch at Blue Door Kitchen, followed by a celebratory bottle of champagne at Restoration Hardware.
And, naturally, they spent part of that time planning their next trip together.
Traveling Solo? You Won’t Be Alone
One of the biggest hesitations people have about signing up for a culinary trip is whether they’ll feel comfortable if they’re traveling solo.
The answer from past travelers is almost unanimous: yes.
Many people join these trips alone and quickly find themselves part of the group.
"Before this trip the idea of traveling with 12 strangers sounded scary. Having the instant connection of love of good food made getting to know everyone easy. I am no longer afraid to travel with a small group," said Marti.
As Val put it: “Go for it! You won’t be alone once you get there, and you may just make some new friends.”
That’s the magic of shared experiences.
When you’re learning to cook together, exploring villages together, and passing dishes around the same table every night, introductions quickly turn into conversations — and conversations often turn into friendships.
Why Culinary Travel Is Different
A typical vacation might give you beautiful photos and great meals. A culinary trip gives you something else entirely. It gives you shared experiences.
You remember:
- Who shined with their pasta dough
- Who found the best wine at dinner
- Who made everyone laugh at the cooking table
- Who convinced the group to order one more round
And those shared memories create bonds that last long after the plane ride home.
As Jorge Milian described the trip and reunion: "This is a very special group with a passion for cooking. We got together like we hadn't missed a beat!”
Join Us in Tuscany This Fall
If you’ve been thinking about joining us for Cook Like a Tuscan, these reunions tell you everything you need to know:
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Yes, you’ll cook and eat incredible food.
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Yes, you’ll experience one of the most beautiful regions in Italy.
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Yes, you’ll learn from talented chefs, our own sommelier and passionate producers.
But the thing travelers remember most? The people.
Because somewhere between the pasta making, the wine tastings, and the long dinners, something unexpected happens. Strangers become friends.
And sometimes those friendships keep showing up again — months later, in Chicago cooking classes, Florida gardens, or brunch tables across the country.
Our next Cook Like a Tuscan tour is coming up this October. If you’ve ever wanted to experience Tuscany through food, wine, and the company of like-minded travelers, this might be the trip that starts your own story.
And who knows? You might find yourself back at The Chopping Block months later — folding dumplings with friends you didn’t know you had yet.
