Advanced course:
THE CHOICE OF ACCOMPLISHED COOKS
Our advanced weekly course is carefully structured to suit a wide range of cooking ability from good home cooks to accomplished cooks and chefs wanting an input on Tuscan cuisine.
Course: Advanced Fundamentals of Tuscan Cuisine
Tutor: Sandra Lotti plus a staff of chef instructors
Duration: 5 days cooking instruction (32 hours), Sunday to Saturday.
Price: To be confirmed as a new course is currently being planned. More details
Please note details below are based on our 2010 course.
Overview:
Five days of intensive instruction in the advanced fundamentals of Tuscan cuisine, including pasta, sauces, soups, fish, meat, desserts, pastry, vegetables, cooking with wine, and wine pairing. All 32 hours of instruction are hands-on using professional equipment under the guidance of Chef Director Sandra Lotti and her staff of chef instructors.
Skills:
- Pasta shapes and how to marry them with sauces
(Includes the effective use of different flours and recipes) - Pasta sauces and fillings.
(Includes the essential ‘soffritto’ method for making Tuscan sauces) - Basic sauces and soups
- Fish: cleaning, boning, filleting and preparation
- Chicken: boning, quartering, stuffing and preparation
- Pastry, cakes and custards, doughs and breads
(Includes puff pastry, pate à choux and pasta frolla) - Vegetables: carving, stuffing, preparation
- Meat: lamb, hare, wild boar; how to roast, deep-fry and braise
Highlights:
- Fine wine, cheese, truffle and olive oil tastings
- A tour to the celebrated Cennatoio winery in Panzano-in-Chianti for a wine tasting and dinner
- A visit to the central food market in Viareggio
- A cheese-making demonstration by a local shepherdess
- Every meal will be paired with fantastic Italian wines
Sample Weekly Itinerary:
SUNDAY
Arrive at Toscana Saporita
Welcome lunch
Relaxing afternoon
Dinner and wine tasting
MONDAY
Continental breakfast
Morning lesson (4 hours)
Lunch
Afternoon lesson (4 hours)
Dinner with cheese and wine tasting
TUESDAY
Continental breakfast
Morning lesson (4 hours)
Lunch
Afternoon excursion to Cennatoio Winery in Chianti
Dinner
WEDNESDAY
Continental breakfast
Morning lesson (4 hours)
Lunch
Afternoon lesson (4 hours)
Dinner with wine tasting
THURSDAY
Continental breakfast
Morning excursion to Shepherdess and to Viareggio Market
Lunch
Afternoon lesson (4 hours)
Dinner and wine tasting
FRIDAY
Continental breakfast
Lunch
Graduation Dinner with wine pairing prepared by students*
*This day is dedicated to the students who prepare a 5-course dinner as part of their course graduation. Students cook all day with the supervision (and help where needed) of the chef instructors. TS chef instructors prepare lunch today.
SATURDAY
Leisurely breakfast
Depart Toscana Saporita
