Great Experience!!!! The chefs are very hospitable & friendly. Beautiful villa, good wines and food. Would definitely recommend – Great Hosts!!!!!!!!
Frank Kustura
This has been the best 50th Birthday. It is the best cooking class because its as fun as it is informative! The food we made were absolutely delicious!!!! Thank you so very much!!
Contessa Gaye Taunton
The class was perfect and exactly what I was expecting and looking for. The cooks were very personable and knowledgable of Tuscan Cuisine. They were a joy!Thank you!
Danellie Gabe Young
Very Good. The cooks are great. This is by far the best Italian food I have had so far. The Ravioli was fun to make. Loved the wine also.
Brian Collinsworth
Our class began with a stroll through the garden and olive grove, then espresso and biscotti in the kitchen. The chef explained the menu we would prepare and the class began. There was plenty of time for questions. We sampled the estate’s wine and the bruschetto, kneaded pasta dough for Ravioli and were free to take lots of photographs as the class proceeded. The cook was very accommodationg, answering all our questions and giving tips and giving tips for the cooking so that even the most inexperienced cook could understand. An excellent menu, good company – a day well spent. Thank you chef & Elizabeth.
Marla Poole
The cook was very generous with his knowledge of cooking, the history of the food, recipes and region. I think I can speak for all four of us that this afternoon will be difficult to duplicate. We had more fun and ate better than we deserve! What a great location and service you offer to your clients!!!!!Thank you!!!
R.Paolini
The setting is only exceeded by the gracious skill of our instruction. The cook made everyone feel comfortable and he altered the recipes in a way that required each of us to participate – it was engaging. Thank you so much!!!!!!!
Ben Hadley- USA
Darren Saxon,
Just a little note to say how much we enjoyed our stay at the Valentina's Cottage. The villa was just perfect for a "belated" hooneymoon. Both of you were more than helpful for both driving directions and reservations. Two of the best experiences were the Tuscan cooking class at the villa and the wine tour at the Verrazzano castle. The chefs were great teachers and chefs. Gino was a riot at the wine tour. I have told people who might be travelling to Italy soon that both are a must. Both Patty and myself feel that we have made new and wonderful friends in Italy. We are looking forward to a return trip. Hope everything is going well.
Patty and Dave, USA
Hi Darren Saxon,
Mauro and I had a wonderful time in our cooking class with the cook. We made the pumpkin risotto for our family as part of our Thanksgiving meal, and everyone LOVED it. We've also make the bruschetta with eggplant, and with tomatoes. We've made the chocolate torte (another big hit!). The only thing we have yet to do from scratch is the ravioli (we'll have to wait until we have more time to do that one).
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience. We always share it as one of the highlights of our trip.
Once again, thank you so much. Please also thank the cook for us.
Erica & Mauro
I just got back to Philadelphia from Italy yesterday. I had booked "An Italian Immersion" - Advanced Class on September 24, 2005and I have been wanted to let you know how wonderful the chefs had been with our group. They accommodated all of us with their grace and pleasurable disposition. The atmosphere they created was one of great excitement of cooking such fresh beautiful gourmet food and the taste was "Magnifico"! They had made my sister's birthday and our cooking class an exciting event and a wonderful memory for us all. I will definately recommend this experience to my friends that will be coming to Tuscany in the spring.
M. PACIFICO, USA
Dear Elizabeth, Meaghan and the chefs,
Thank you very much for an incredible experience in your class! I think that day with all of you, along with my visit to 'David' was the highlight of my trip to Italy!
My birthday was very special and it was purely because of your kindness and hospitality. I truly enjoyed the wine you gave me. Thank you so much!
I realize the four of you meet hundreds of people annually and are quite busy, so I appreciate that you made me feel so much at home that day!...I have some pictures I will send to you...
Any time you come to the states, especially St. Louis, Missouri, please call me, as I would enjoy returning the generosity! That includes experiencing a Thanksgiving meal, I would love to cook our traditional meal for you...the American holiday is the last Thursday of November.
Jackie-USA
You can climb the stairs of the Duomo, one can lay eyes on the beauty of the statue of David, but one has not experienced the Tuscan region until you have tasted a meal of your own making at Villa Pandolfini. Well perhaps you get some help from the chefs , but you get to take the taste of Tuscany home with you by collectoing the wisdom of brilliant & inviting chefs. A meal & memories to last a lifetime!
BRAD FITCH- USA
'This was a fabulous experience. It was more than i expected. The cooks were so helpful, informative & enthusiastic. I will definately recommend it, as well as try to return. Thank you for a wonderful experience!!
SUE BOATMAN, USA
The cook is very nice and a GREAT chef!! The food is excellent and you learn a lot. For all those kids out there- the best part is to put the dough itno the pasta maker, I'm a professional at it!!
SARA- 11 years. USA
A major highlight of our trip to Italy!! Elizabeth was a pleasure to work with in planning it all and the chefs were very welcoming and friendly. And I ahvent even mentioned the food!! Delicious! And it tastes all the better for the fact that each of us had a hand in creating it. I'll be back – for a week... or a month..
SUSANNE WERNER – USA