Savour the season: Our Harvest to Table Cooking Retreat

When you think of Italy, one of the first things that comes to mind for many is…food! Italian cuisine often tops many global lists when it comes to our favourite dishes.

Internationally renowned not only for its wonderful flavours, but also the health benefits that the fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients bring, the Italian diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world. With the fast-paced lives many lead, we are often over-reliant on easily accessible fast food. We sometimes overlook the fresh, nutritious locally grown food available to us.

Many of you may already be contemplating where the food on our plate comes from. Much has been written about our carbon footprint. How much power was used in the processing of our late morning snack? Have we considered how many miles our lunch travelled before it arrived on our plate? How much fuel was used in the journey from the farm to the dinner table? Do we spend enough time considering the impact not only on our climate, but also on those who are involved in farming or manufacturing our food?

The phrase ‘think local, eat local’ might sound like a marketing gimmick, but there is something to be said for taking a more sustainable approach to how we eat. With this in mind, it is with great pleasure we share our Harvest to Table Cook retreat.

Location

Maremma, Tuscany will be the setting for your culinary retreat. Nestled between the breath-taking Tuscan countryside and sparkling Tyrrhenian sea, you will have the best of both worlds on this retreat. Away from the busy tourist sites and off the beaten track, you will enjoy an authentic Tuscan retreat.

You will work with and savour fresh local produce, respecting the season in which you visit. Sourcing your ingredients in a sustainable way, supporting local farms and small businesses, you will get to know the territory and respect the nature of your surroundings.

You will benefit from being on the coast, and have the opportunity to fish for your supper! Learn about sustainable fishing, ethically sourced fish and local seafood dishes. Now more than ever, it is vital we understand how not to negatively impact our marine life.

The joy of being in this beautiful landscape, fabulous coastline and amongst experts in their field, will provide an unforgettable experience.

Expert Instruction

You will cook with Abby, our expert chef who is from New Zealand and has lived in Italy for more than 20 years. Abby has developed an innovative approach to the traditional cooking of Italy. Respecting age old recipes and heritage, Abby will demonstrate how seasonality can really impact the food we eat for the better. Abby is devoted in her search for local produce and always on the hunt for new suppliers who embrace her philosophy. Visit local growers and markets, cooking and creating together.

Learn Italian recipes with an international twist. Gather tips on budgeting for the weekly food shop. Find out how to avoid the supermarket and buying processed fast-foods, and instead source your ingredients from local farms. Consider nutrition and the health benefits of what goes on your plate.

Hear what Abby has to say about her passion for Italian food and an ethical approach to gastronomy.

Meet Abby during a chat with our Creative Italy founders!

The Benefit & Purpose of our Cooking Retreat

Much has been written about how stress-relieving cooking can be. For some cooking is a form of meditation. For others, it’s all about the creativity involved. Just imagine the beauty of cooking in the stunning countryside, creating mouth-watering nutritious meals, using ingredients purchased right from the source.

We want to ensure local farms and and markets thrive in today’s world. The produce they sell and foods we eat form a part of Italy’s rich cultural heritage. Be a part of the movement  and join our Harvest to Table Cooking Retreat!

Booking Information:

• Minimum 4 participants
• Year round except JULY & AUGUST – embracing the spirit of seasonality, we place importance on avoiding peak season months to avoid adding to the negative environmental impact caused by mass tourism

For more information on availability and destinations for this retreat please write to: info@creative-italy.com