La Bottega del 30 has the honor of being the only restaurant in Chianti to receive a Michelin star. Situated in a small medieval town northeast of Siena, the restaurant offers traditional Tuscan cuisine in an authentic setting. Its chef, Helene Stoquelet, and her husband, Franco Camelia, also operate a Tuscan cooking school where you can learn the ancient culinary techniques of the women of Chianti. Lessons are taught in the school's modern kitchen with individual cooking stations. There's also a traditional Tuscan kitchen with a wood-burning oven. Classes are limited to 8 students and are hands-on, with lessons focusing on the successive stages of a meal.

Your accommodations for this cooking week are in renovated farmhouse apartments in Villa a Sesta. Each has its own entrance and features a fully equipped kitchen, living room, and one to three bedrooms. Views are of the surrounding vineyards. There is a pool for guest use.

Day One (Saturday)

Benvenuto! After 3 PM, settle into your farmhouse apartment. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at La Bottega del 30.

Day Two (Sunday)

Today is yours for individual activities. Villa a Sesta is a perfect base from which to explore surrounding Tuscan hill towns.

Day Three (Monday)

Your first cooking lesson begins at 10 AM. Today you'll learn Tuscan antipasti dishes. Then everyone sits down together and enjoys lunch accompanied by locally produced wines.

Day Four (Tuesday)

10 AM cooking lesson: Tuscan soups. Some of the recipes you may learn include ribollita, zuppa di fagioli, or pasta e fagioli. Lunch accompanied by Tuscan wine follows the lesson.

Day Five (Wednesday)

10 AM cooking lesson. Today you'll learn how to prepare fresh pasta. A delicious lunch with regional wines follows the lesson

Day Six (Thursday)

10 AM cooking lesson: today the focus is main dishes. Another lunch feast follows the lesson, accompanied by an array of Tuscan wines.

Day Seven (Friday)

10 AM cooking lesson: dolci. You'll enjoy a delicious lunch with wine, capped by all those wonderful desserts that you made in the morning.

Day Eight (Saturday)

Morning checkout and departure.