The organic farm we stayed at in Orvieto offered a cooking class. I signed up for this while our sons enjoyed the pool and grounds. My husband “audited” the cooking class and took notes so I could be more hands-on with the dishes. We made a variety of Italian dishes and the chefs served us all later in a large dining room where the guests of the organic farm hotel guests all sat together at a long dining table. We conversed with people from all over while enjoying the meal that I helped make! Very satisfying event! The class lasted for a few hours as we made several courses….

Agritourismo is the new buzz word for agricultural tourism and organic farms/villas. http://www.locandarosati.

The dining hall within this villa estate was everything you could hope for in an Italian experience—stone walls and big archways. Nearby was  an underground wine cellar and a gourmet kitchen where our class was held.  Walking through the farm and gardens to find fresh herbs for the meal was authentic and pleasant. Far into the country, we were away from everything. It was peaceful, quiet, rustic and totally natural. What a haven to come home to after our daily jaunts into towns, cities and fortresses nearby.

Chicken cacciatore and other Italian dishes never tasted as good as they did in Orvieto. The freshness of native Italian cooking is supreme to the Italian cooking we have back home in the states. Italian food in America is rich in heavy sauces which seem to mask the real flavors of the food but in Italy, you taste each ingredient and you don’t get overly full.

If you get a chance to experience a cooking class, I highly recommend doing it in Italy….on a farm….tucked far into the interior of Umbria like we did!© Gina Michalopulos Kingsley