Exclusive vegan culinary experience
Cooking ClassesDuration: From 2 to 3 hours + time for lunch or dinner
Rates
DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY RECIPES OF THE TUSCAN CUISINE ARE VEGAN?
Embark on a journey into the heart of authentic Italian and Tuscan cuisine with our Private Vegan Cooking Class that blends heritage and innovation, crafting exquisite plant-based dishes inspired by centuries-old practices.
The unique setting of Rita’s farm
Immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of Rita’s farm nestled in the heart of Tuscany. Set against the backdrop of a traditional Tuscan farmhouse, our cooking classes unfold in this charming place, where the essence of local culinary traditions comes to life. As we transport you to Rita’s farm, situated in the picturesque countryside just beyond Montefoscoli, between Pisa and Volterra, we invite you to embark on a vegan culinary journey steeped in history. Our classes start with a brief historical overview, providing you with insights into the rich origins of Tuscan cuisine.
Our cooking classes based on vegan recipes
Discover the rich history behind our vegan ethos, rooted in the agricultural tapestry of Tuscan life. In a time when cultivating the land was a way of life, the necessity of sustainability led to the creation of a vibrant vegetarian and vegan culinary legacy. It’s about timeless tastes: we bring age-old recipes to life in a modern context. Wines included.
Savor the experience, and select any 4 dishes from the following options.:
Antipasti:
Panzanella: A symphony of flavors in a traditional bread and vegetable salad.
Verdure Grigliate: Grilled vegetables adorned with a parsley, garlic, and chili pepper topping, served on rustic bread.
Verdure Fritte: Crispy deep-fried vegetables that redefine indulgence.
Crostini ai Funghi: Mushroom bruschettas presented in two delectable versions.
Bruschetta al Pomodoro: A burst of freshness in a classic tomato bruschetta.
Main Courses:
Pappa al Pomodoro: Immerse yourself in the warmth of a typical bread and tomato thick soup.
Minestra di Ceci: A soul-soothing chickpea soup.
Minestra di Fagioli: A hearty beans soup that pays homage to tradition.
Risotto ai Funghi: Delight your senses with a decadent mushroom risotto.
Risotto Zucchini e Pinoli: A symphony of flavors with zucchini and pine nuts.
Fagioli Rifatti: Experience comfort in a stew of beans and rich tomato sauce.
Fagiolini in Umido: Elevate green beans to a whole new level in a savory stew.
Desserts:
Dolce all’Olio: Indulge in the luxury of an olive oil-based cake.
Biscotti alle Noci: Crunch into the perfection of nut-based biscuits.
Frittelle di Farina di Castagne: Conclude your feast with the sublime sweetness of chestnut flour pancakes.
Let’s cook and have fun together!
This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this class. Please, note that the specialties of the menu prepared at the class may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the class.
In our cooking class we like telling you a lot about Tuscan farms and farmers' cooking traditions, introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters.
You will have one of our guides as a language assistants and coordinator with you during the whole class. Please, see below all the guides and language assistants who can be with you.
During this experience you will also meet one of our Tuscan cooks who give you the cooking class. Please, see below which cooks you are likely to encounter.
Hello everybody! My name is Davide, the youngest one in the team of Arianna & Friends. I joined the company in 2022, when my aunt Ester, one of the chefs in the team, introduced me to Arianna & Massimo. I am a wonderful talker and I really enjoy entertaining our guests during cooking classes and foodie tours. I also deal with bookings related to Teatro del Silenzio. Being from Lajatico, I am really happy to arrange holidays to people who will visit my hometown.
I am a very ironic person who likes making life enjoyable, something that my colleagues really appreciate on a daily base. I really hope I can meet many people from all over the world thanks to my job. Ciao ciao! 
Buongiorno a tutti! My name is Anna from San Miniato, a historical town in Tuscany famous also for its delicious white truffles. I met Arianna and Massimo in the early 2000s, when we were all working at a local agriturismo: I was at the reception while they were starting their career as event organizers and food tour operators. As their company was expanding we had several occasions for cooperating until I finally joined the team more stably in 2022. I now deal with accountancy and coordination of all the chefs for the many services a day that we arrange. I spend most of my free time at sea as I now live in Livorno, a beautiful harbor town. 
Mi chiamo Carlo, the only "boy" among the chefs of Arianna & Friends. I am a cousin of Lorena, who has worked with the company for long now and who introduced me to them back in 2022. I live in Pontedera, home of Vespa, and I have been cooking all my life, since preparing delicious food has always been my great passion. In my working age I was an operator for an insurance company, so I know plenty of local people and I am very friendly and talkative. I then retired and decided to dedicate myself to the things I like the most: cooking and joining friends. I have limited Enlish but miraculously all our guests can easily understand me through my body language and face expressions. I will be waiting for you for great barbecue dinners and traditional dishes of all kinds! 
Ciao, I'm Silvia, one of the youngest cooks at Arianna & Friends'. Cooking is my real passion and I like to prepare any traditional dish both for visitors and for my family. I also love baking pizza as well as trying innovative food and special contemporary techniques, especially in my kitchen at home. When I started working for this company in 2018, I met an incredible team of collaborators and with them I finally feel joy and serenity in what I do. Any time I work as a cook I can breath freedom and this makes me happy.
As I really love the sea, in my free time I like being at the beach. I have a passion for travelling and being in the company of my friends. I could define myself as a "free spirit" with a big attraction to ... hats !!!
Looking forward to meet you all! 
Ciao, I'm Ester, one of the cooks of Arianna & Friends'. I've been working with them since the beginning of their adventure in 2007.
I love cooking together with people from all over the world, especailly with young kids.
What I prefer to cook is pasta dishes, pizza and desserts, like for example the stunning cake I made to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary.
I live, like Davide (my nephew), in the little village of Lajatico, birthplace of Andrea Bocelli and from my home I can hear his voice and see something when Teatro del Silenzio takes place in July.
I live on a farm and I have chickens, rabbits, a large vegetable garden. I make my own olive oil and wine together with my family.
I hope to be able to cook with many of you in the years to come and teach you a lot of our typical Tuscan food. 
Hi everybody, ciao a tutti. I am Elisabetta and I am the youngest one among the chefs of Arianna & Friends. I have been working with the company for several years, initially just as a sous-chef and eventually as a proper chef. I have accumulated many years of experience while learning from all my other colleague chefs, but I also added my personal taste and knowledge to the whole. I am really happy to be part of this team and to be able to meet people from all over the world. In my free time I enjoy the company of my lovely puppy for long walks or just hanging around for shopping. Ciao a presto! 
Maria Grazia, in our team called MG, is a very positive thinking lady who works as a sous-chefs at Arianna & Friends, when she is not busy helping children get born. In fact she is also a professional
obstetrician! A nice irony in her character, combined with an intrinsic calm when working, create
an incredible effect during the services provided. 
Giulietta is a sweet little donkey living at Rita's Farm. She is among the several pets on the farm together with Elsa the dog and Primo and Tuga the cats and a number of chickens and ducks 
The total rate for this activity varies according to the number of people in your party.
Check rates in the table below.
exclusive vegan culinary experience– RATES 2025 – |
|
|---|---|
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY |
TOTAL RATE |
| 2 persons | € 580 |
| 3 persons | € 640 |
| 4 persons | € 700 |
| 5 persons | € 760 |
| 6 persons | € 820 |
| 7 persons | € 880 |
| 8 persons | € 940 |
| Extra Adult | € 60 |
| Extra Teenager (12-17 yrs) | € 50 |
| Child (4-11 yrs) | € 40 |
Rates include
- A private local chef at your disposal
- A private English speaking assistant and story teller at your disposal. Available also in German, French, Spanish and Russian
- private cooking class
- all food an materials
- lunch or dinner after the class
- personal apron as souvenir
- booklet where to take note
- tax
Rates do NOT include
- Transportation
- Tips to the staff. Not included, not obligatory but very much appreciated
This cooking class takes place in the rural area of central Tuscany, among Pisa, San Gimignano and Volterra, 10 km from Selvatelle
MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the meeting point with the guide is at our office in La Rosa or at an agreed meeting point
DURATION:
This program takes from 2 to 3 hours for the cooking class + time for lunch or dinner. Time for transportation not included.
AVAILABILITY:
Available all the year through, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays. Timing is flexible. After a morning class lunch is served. After an afternoon class dinner is served.
LANGUAGE:
This class is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Russian or Italian with no surcharge.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy
CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children
CLOTHING:
No particular clothing required.
FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
The foods served during this cooking class might contain gluten, lactose, nuts and alcohol. If you have any food restriction, please inform our personnel during the enquiry process.
TRANSPORTATION:
This program and its rates do not include transportation and are set on a self-driving base. For further information see the box "transportation options".
The destinations reached during this activity are in the Tuscan countryside, in areas off the beaten track that cannot be reached by public transport. We highly recommend renting a car or a scooter in order to reach them. As an alternative, we can offer a valued service by chauffeured car, van or minibus. Any cost of transportation is to be added to the rates displayed on the rate table of this page.
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