The Cooking School

Emilia-Romagna, Italy – Off the Beaten Path 2025

Friday, May 23 – Saturday, May 31, 2025

Benvenuti in Italia! Travel to Cento, Italy to meet Leigh Ochs and our host, Don Govoni, for our eleventh unique culinary tour “off the beaten path” in the Emilia-Romagna region. Enjoy eight nights in beautiful Cento at the Hotel Europa and take leisurely day trips to the mountains, the plains and the Adriatic coast, all the while sampling the region’s splendid cuisine. Indulge in local specialties including handmade tortellini, cappellacci and artisanal cured meats and cheeses. Taste regional delicacies like borlenghi and balanzoni – foods that even most Italians have never heard of, accompanied by local wines including the real Lambrusco. Savor the bounty of the sea where local fish and shellfish unique to the Adriatic are expertly prepared. These are just a few of the epicurean delights that await those who join us on the tour. Don spends months each year in his ancestral home and is excited to again showcase this region that is seldom explored by tourists.

Highlights include: Lunch at an agriturismo, visiting the Republic of San Marino, viewing Parmigiano Reggiano production, tour of a balsamic vinegar acetaia and so much more.

Northern Tuscany - Wine and Food 2025

Saturday, May 31 – Saturday, June 7, 2025

Travel to Greve in Chianti, Italy to meet Leigh for our sixth wine and food tour in the beautiful region of Tuscany. Enjoy seven nights in quaint Greve in Chianti, located between Florence and Siena. Our Hotel (Albergo Del Chianti) is on the charming main piazza and within walking distance of many restaurants and shops.

From our base in Greve, we will visit the historical villages of San Gimignano, Panzano and Certaldo. Truffle hunting and lunch at a family lodge await us in Certaldo. A leisurely day at a local farm and winery will feature a tour and tasting, pizza demo and an afternoon of pizzas made by our private pizzaiolo – all while sitting outside with a perfect Tuscan view. Other highlights include: sunset dinner at the stunning Fattoria Poggio Alloro, a vineyard picnic in Panzano, a wine museum visit and tasting and a return to Castello di Gabbiano for a tour and gourmet dinner. It goes without saying that we will dine with Dario Cecchini – The Butcher of Panzano – for a most memorable steak workshop. We will spend our last day in Chianti with a visit to a local winery and farewell tasting, garden tour and lunch at the beautiful Castello di Verrazzano. This trip is one part adventure and three parts delicious!

Highlights include: Breakfast daily, 8 group meals with wine, ground transportation for group activities throughout the week