“You have to taste a culture to understand it.” – Deborah Cater

In Italy food is more than just sustenance, it is art, tradition and community rolled into one; specialized butcher and bakery shops where the proprietors have served the same clients for years and where they know the providence of each cut they sell; weekly community markets where local farmers sell their produce, and dish gossip, with their friends; 0km restaurants who believe in sourcing locally grown vegetables and meats, hand-making their pasta and working with fresh, not frozen, ingredients. These things combine to create a culture of food that not only tastes better but also reminds us to slow down and enjoy our meals instead of rushing through them.

Over the past eleven years of La Dolce Vita our meals, culinary lessons and activities have been undisputed guest favourites. We are pleased to continue that tradition in 2025. Won’t you join us as we delve deeper into the food culture of Italy?

At La Dolce Vita we look forward to introducing you to dishes that are served in family homes throughout Tuscany, with a bit of Piedmonte (Northern Italy) influence thrown in as well! While we will, of course, enjoy pasta, you will also be served soups typical of the region, seasonal vegetables, and the pork that this region of Italy is known for.  All of our meals will be simple yet immensely flavourful, and we know that they will be a highlight of your time at La Dolce Vita.

We are delighted to have our on-site hostess Orsa helming the kitchen and preparing our meals during our week together. With a Doctorate in Anthropology and History of Food, Orsa believes without a doubt that the best way to know a culture, a country and its people is through its food. She encourages her guests to branch out and taste various dishes while in Itlay (not just pizza!) to discover the country’s many flavours.

With a few exceptions, most of the meals included in the retreat tuition will be eaten at our host estate. And most of these will be eaten, family style, in a large communal dining room. Or, on sunny days, we often dine al fresco on the veranda.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast will include your choice of Homemade cake, yogurt and granola, fruit salad, toast, cold cuts, eggs, and cheese. To drink, attendees will be able to choose from an assortment of coffees (espresso, cappuccino or Americano) teas, or fruit juice.

As for the beverages available with our other meals, water will be provided with each lunch, and with dinner we will routinely serve water, regular coffee and tea. There will be a few occasions where wine is provided with the dinners. You are welcome to purchase wine when it is not provided, or bring your own to the retreat. Further details will be provided in the private Facebook group, prior to the retreat.

In each apartment you will find a kitchen or kitchenette with a cook top and fridge which you will find stocked with water and enough soda to get you through the first few days. As we journey through Tuscany you are welcome to purchase more soda, or other food items and bring them back to your apartment to prepare and eat at your leisure.

If you have any food allergies, or dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can confirm that the kitchen will be able to safely accommodate your needs.

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR RETREAT TUITION

There are three lunches which are not included in the retreat tuition.

For the lunches: They are during days when we will be away from the estate at meal time and you will have plenty of options for your meals. You will find that you can eat on the cheap, with a €5 pizza, or go all out with a €65 four course lunch. The choice is up to you.

A COOKING LESSON TO REMEMBER

One of the highlight culinary experiences will be a visit to an inspiring farm that produces grain, pasta, cheese and cares for several flocks of animals. Each retreat attendee will get hands on as together we make traditional pizzas in a wood fired oven! This will be a memorable, and tasty, day!