Pienza: Tuscan Cooking Class of Homemade Pastas and Cantucci

Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Pienza offers a captivating cooking class that immerses participants in the art of crafting homemade pastas and traditional cantucci. Guided by passionate chefs, visitors can expect a hands-on experience, learning to create artisanal tagliatelle, pici, and pappardelle. But the adventure doesn’t stop there – the class also delves into the secrets of baking classic Tuscan cookies, perfectly paired with a glass of Vin Santo.

Contents show

Key Points

Hands-on pasta-making workshop focusing on classic Tuscan pastas like tagliatelle, pici, and pappardelle.
Artisanal bread-baking masterclass teaching traditional Tuscan bread-making techniques.
Cantucci cookie-making class, with the cookies paired with Vin Santo dessert wine.
Communal Tuscan-inspired feast showcasing the day’s culinary creations in a picturesque countryside setting.
Take-home recipe guide and souvenir apron as mementos of the authentic Tuscan cooking experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

The Picturesque Podere Spedalone

The Podere Spedalone, an organic farm nestled in the heart of the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, provides the picturesque setting for this immersive cooking class.

Surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards, the farm offers a true farm-to-table experience. Students gather in the historic farmhouse or dine al fresco, enjoying stunning vistas of the Tuscan countryside.

The class itself takes place in the farm’s kitchen, where participants learn traditional techniques from a passionate chef.

Participants learn traditional techniques from a passionate chef in the farm’s kitchen at Podere Spedalone.

With its idyllic location and focus on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, Podere Spedalone embodies the essence of Tuscan culinary traditions.

Looking for more options in Pienza? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Exploring the Organic Farm

What awaits visitors at the Podere Spedalone organic farm? A hands-on culinary adventure rooted in Tuscan tradition.

The farm’s homegrown ingredients – from ripe tomatoes to fragrant herbs – star in the cooking class. Under the guidance of a passionate chef, guests learn to craft classic dishes like handmade tagliatelle, pici, and pappardelle.

They’ll also master the art of traditional Tuscan bread-making and bake the beloved almond cookies known as cantucci.

After the cooking, everyone gathers for a communal feast, savoring the fruits of their labor amid the farm’s panoramic countryside views.

Hands-on Pasta-Making Workshop

Although the cooking class at Podere Spedalone covers a range of traditional Tuscan dishes, the hands-on pasta-making workshop takes center stage.

Led by a passionate Chef, participants learn to craft three classic pasta varieties: tagliatelle, pici, and pappardelle. Using farm-fresh ingredients, they knead the dough, roll it out, and expertly shape the pasta.

The Chef provides step-by-step guidance, ensuring everyone leaves with the skills to recreate these beloved Tuscan staples at home.

With expert guidance, participants master the art of crafting Tuscan pasta classics to recreate at home.

Afterwards, guests savor the fruits of their labor during a communal lunch, paired with locally-sourced wines and panoramic countryside views.

Artisanal Bread Baking Masterclass

Alongside the hands-on pasta-making, the Artisanal Bread Baking Masterclass offers participants a chance to master the art of traditional Tuscan bread-making.

Under the guidance of the passionate chef, students will learn the secrets to crafting classic Tuscan loaves. From kneading the dough to shaping the loaves, each step is demonstrated and practiced.

The class culminates in the baking of fresh, crusty bread, which is then enjoyed as part of the communal farm-to-table lunch. Participants leave with the knowledge and confidence to recreate this beloved tradition in their own kitchens.

More Great Tours Nearby

Crafting Classic Cantucci Cookies

Participants in the Cooking Class in Pienza also learn to craft classic Cantucci cookies, a beloved Italian almond biscuit.

Under the Chef’s guidance, they’ll mix together flour, sugar, eggs, and toasted almonds, shaping the dough into logs before baking. The result is a crisp, twice-baked cookie with a satisfying crunch.

Cantucci are traditionally enjoyed with a glass of Vin Santo, a sweet Italian dessert wine. Guests leave the class with a recipe guide, eager to recreate this Tuscan specialty at home and share the flavors of the region with friends and family.

There's plenty more to explore in Pienza

Communal Tuscan-Inspired Feast

After the hands-on cooking lesson, guests gather for a communal Tuscan-inspired feast.

The table is set with crisp linens and local ceramics, creating a rustic yet elegant ambiance. The meal showcases the day’s creations:

Handmade pastas tossed in vibrant sauces
Crusty Tuscan bread slathered in olive oil
Seasonal salads bursting with farm-fresh flavors
Cantucci cookies dunked in sweet dessert wine
Optional upgrade to a prized Fiorentina steak

Guests sip on organic wines and craft beers as they savor the fruits of their labor, sharing stories and enjoying the views of the picturesque Val d’Orcia countryside.

Savoring the Panoramic Views

The Podere Spedalone farm’s panoramic vistas take center stage as guests savor the fruits of their culinary labor.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia, the outdoor dining area offers a breathtaking backdrop for the communal Tuscan lunch. Diners gaze upon the patchwork of olive groves, vineyards, and cypress-dotted landscapes as they enjoy the homemade pastas, freshly baked bread, and classic cantucci they prepared earlier.

The option to dine in the historic farmhouse provides a cozy alternative, though the allure of the al fresco experience is hard to resist.

Either way, the views complement the delectable flavors of this authentic farm-to-table experience.

Taking Home a Taste of Tuscany

As participants depart the Podere Spedalone farm, they don’t leave Tuscany’s flavors behind. The class provides take-home mementos to continue the culinary journey:

A recipe guide with instructions for replicating the dishes learned during the hands-on cooking session.
A souvenir apron to wear while recreating homemade pastas, breads, and cookies.
Fond memories of the picturesque setting and personalized instruction from the passionate chef.
Newfound skills in traditional Tuscan cooking techniques to impress friends and family.
A yearning to return to the organic farm and Val d’Orcia’s breathtaking vistas.

The Sum Up

Pienza’s cooking class offers a unique opportunity to take in the heart of Tuscan culinary traditions. Participants learn to craft homemade pastas and cantucci, savoring their creations during a communal feast against the picturesque backdrop of the Podere Spedalone. This hands-on experience captures the essence of Tuscan culture, allowing visitors to take home a taste of the region’s rich gastronomic heritage.