Join Mauro, home Chef, food lover and purveyor, at home in his Tuscan kitchen for a flavor-filled cooking experience in the hills of Lucca. Mauro, who grew up cooking in the kitchen with his grandmother, blends ancient flavors and traditions in timeless recipes from his native land. Paired with his wife Tze’ela in the kitchen, who adds her twist on recipes with the possibility of Kosher cooking, their family experience is educational, tasty and fun.

Mauro learned how to cook at an early age-when he was only 16 years old, and continued to develop his love and passion for cooking family style.  He worked for a score of experienced chefs, wine makers, olive oil producers and local butchers to hone his skills in the kitchen.

The blend of hands-on experience and knowledge in a world of food experts, and artisans developed his ability and technique and led him to open his own kitchen. Today he shares his knowledge for food and wine in his Tuscan kitchen in the Lucca countryside. After each cooking class, enjoy the foods you prepared in class on the outdoor patio (weather permitting) for lunch or dinner.

One Day Traditional Cooking Class

Tie on your aprons and get ready for a 1-day hands-on cooking class in the kitchen with Maestro Mauro & Tze’ela. Mauro uses only seasonal fresh products of the region, including, porcini, chestnuts, virgin olive oils, polenta, truffles, and of course the great wines and cheeses.

Sample Seasonal Menus Include:

Summer Menu:
Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Homemade Fresh Pasta:
Ravioli Ricotta & Spinach in Sage Butter
Aromatic Roasted Veal
Caprese

Fall/Winter Menu:
Pappa al Pomodoro
Homemade Fresh Pasta:
Tagliatelle ai Funghi or Tordelli al Ragu’
Pollo (chicken) Alla Cacciatora
Green Peas with Speck

Also available, cooking classes by theme:
Italian Buffet
Solo Antipasti
Italian Sweets & Desserts
Pizza, Pizza, Pizza, please!

One Day Kosher Italian Cooking Class

Did you know that the Italians learned the delights of fried and marinated fish (ceviche-style) from the Sephardic Jewish immigrants that came to Italy? Just because you pass on the Prosciutto, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the delights of eating in Italy.  Join Maestro Mauro and his Italo-Israeli wife Tze’ela for hands-on Kosher cooking in Lucca to explore Jewish-Italian Kosher cuisine.

Maestro Mauro & Tze’ela lead you through the method, while sharing with you the rich food history of Italian-Jewish foods.  Start with the Caponata; a slow cooked mixture of capers, olives and garlic topped with delicately fried cubed eggplant, or Pesce in Saor, a marinated fresh white fish prepared with pine nuts, raisins, Balsamic and herbs; and for a sweet ending, the Torta di Noce, a deep choco and nut Kosher cake.  The Kosher method and recipes can be easily recreated at home in your own kitchen.

Also upon request, learn to prepare the perfect Shabbat dinner, a sample menu may be Brasato Al Vino Rosso, braised beef in a red wine sauce, Zucchine Trifolate,  zucchini, and Salame di Cioccolata Con Lo Zabaione, a choco pudding with a Marsala cream.  Pasta Estiva con Peperoni E Pomodori Freschi, semolina pasta salad with summer vegetables, Rotolo di Tacchino Farcito, farm-raised stuffed turkey slow cooked, and Crema al Limone Senza Latte, a lemon custard without milk.  This is a sample of the delicious Kosher specialties the husband and wife team will teach you how to make.

Kosher classes are tailor-created to individual requests and needs- can be Glatt Kosher, Kosher kitchen or Kosher menu only, based on each person’s individual needs.

Sample Seasonal Kosher Menus Include:

Meat-based Menu:
Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Homemade Fresh Pasta: Tordelli al Ragu’
Pollo Alla Cacciatora
Parve Biscotti

Dairy-based Menu:
Melanzane Alla Giudea ~ Jewish Style Eggplant
Homemade Fresh Pasta: Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli
Lemon-Marinated Sole
Tiramisu’

Please enquire about Italian Chalah making and other specialty Kosher cooking classes.