The Italian kitchen is work and meeting place in one. Conversations around the kitchen table may start with neighborhood gossip and move to politics, but they eventually all come back to the one argument dearest to every Italian: food. Raffaella’s recipes have been passed on in the homes of friends and relatives or picked up during a chat at the food market or with the local butcher; some are foolproof, others are small gourmet adventures and most of them – think pizza or pasta making – are fun to try out with kids too. Based in the Val d’Orcia, the cooking classes are Tuscan at heart, but anything from pizza to risotto can be included for a trip through Italy’s culinary ABC. The lessons are held in English in the kitchen of your holiday rental in southern Tuscany or at Raffaella’s beautiful historic home in the countryside near Montalcino.

Staying in a beautiful villa and want to enjoy your meals at home? Raffaella can be hired as a personal cook for a day or for the whole period of your stay. Just too tired to cook? Ask for a simple Tuscan lunch or a luscious dinner (with or without wine) to be delivered to the doorstep of your holiday villa in Montalcino.

Celebrating an anniversary, wedding or just want to throw a party without a reason? Raffaella’s catering services are available in Val d’Orcia and southern Tuscany. She’ll even be able to suggest the perfect event location if you haven’t found it yet. Going for a walk or planning an impromptu lunch in a Brunello vineyard? Picnic baskets can be prepared for small groups from two to ten.

Cooking classes and catering services are tailor-made according to the time of the year and clients’ dietary needs. Pasta is homemade and all proposed dishes are freshly prepared. Whatever the recipe, the starting point lies in the best available raw ingredients – all of them locally sourced for your gourmet tour through the finest scents and tastes of Tuscan cooking. Gluten or lactose free recipes and a vegetarian or vegan menu for cooking classes and catering services can be put together on request.