Enjoy a culinary experience that goes far beyond a simple cooking class: a true journey into the heart of Italian and Tuscan gastronomic traditions.
In her beautiful Tuscan farmhouse, lovingly restored and located along the famous Wine Road leading to Bolgheri on the Etruscan Coast, Chicca Maione has been welcoming guests from all over the world for more than twenty years. In her kitchen, she shares authentic recipes she grew up with, prepared using seasonal local ingredients, scented with fresh herbs picked directly from the garden and finished with extra virgin olive oil produced from the olive trees surrounding the property.
For Chicca Maione, cooking is the most natural way to share and preserve Italian culture. She is not simply a cooking teacher, but a true food enthusiast with a fascinating story. Born in Naples and trained as an architect, she spent ten years traveling the world by bicycle, from Alaska to Zimbabwe, before choosing to settle among the vineyards of Tuscany. These are the stories she will share with you.
Her cooking classes are hands-on, welcoming, and relaxed, designed for those who truly want to learn by actively participating in every stage of the preparation. Rich in practical knowledge, guests return home with new skills, useful tips, and authentic memories.
Each class also includes a tour of the herb garden, vegetable garden, and olive grove, followed by lunch. One important detail: no one leaves hungry!
The Experiences
Tuscan Cooking Class: Gnocchi & Tiramisù
Perfect for families and beginners, this hands-on class shows just how simple homemade gnocchi can be. Using only flour and water, guests learn how to create a soft, fresh dough and transform it into delicate handmade gnocchi served with a traditional tomato sauce.
The class also includes the preparation of homemade tiramisù, a tasting of local cheese, a fresh salad, and pairing with a Bolgheri DOC wine.
Authentic Italian Fresh Pasta Cooking Class
Do you think making fresh pasta by hand is difficult? In this practical class, guests discover how easy it is to prepare fresh pasta starting from just a few genuine ingredients: eggs and flour.
After kneading the dough together, guests use an old family pasta machine to roll out the pasta sheets and create long handmade fettuccine. An engaging experience to enjoy in a warm home kitchen filled with stories, smiles, and conversation.
The class also includes the preparation of a homemade dessert, a tasting of local cheese, a fresh salad, and pairing with a Bolgheri DOC wine.
Italian Classics: Full Traditional Cooking Experience
In this experience, guests prepare a complete Italian menu from appetizer to dessert, discovering the secrets of authentic Italian home cooking.
Together, we prepare a traditional appetizer, fresh pasta with its sauce, classic Italian meatballs, and a homemade dessert, following authentic family recipes. A true culinary journey through genuine flavors, conviviality, and tradition.
The class also includes a tasting of local cheese, a fresh salad, and pairing with two Bolgheri DOC wines.
Bolgheri Exclusive: Cooking Class & Private Wine Tasting
A unique experience combining food and wine in the heart of Tuscany. Guests take part in a hands-on cooking class focused on traditional Tuscan recipes before sitting down together to enjoy the dishes prepared during the experience.
Lunch is accompanied by a professional tasting of local wines led by a winemaker or sommelier, featuring some of Bolgheri’s finest wines. Two authentic experiences — cooking and wine — combined into one unforgettable moment.
The class also includes a tasting of local cheese, a fresh salad, and pairing with three Bolgheri DOC wines.
Chicca can host classes in French, English, and Italian.
*Prices are intended for groups of four people and may vary depending on the number of participants and availability. All experiences can be customized according to guests’ preferences.
Why did Cozly Stay choose Chicca?
- Unique Location: An 18th-century farmhouse surrounded by olive trees, just steps away from some of the world’s most renowned vineyards.
- Authenticity: Family recipes passed down through generations, prepared without rigid measurements but with plenty of heart and technique.
- International Hospitality: Classes are regularly held in Italian, English, and French, welcoming food lovers from all around the world.
You won’t just learn how to cook — you’ll take home a small piece of the Tuscan soul.
