Autumn Arts Festival-Tuscan Cuisine – SOLD OUT
Chef Michael Vignapiano has been a Culinary and Pastry instructor for over thirty years with various institutions such as The New York Restaurant School/Art Institute of NYC, CUNY, SUNY, and Monroe College where he was the Culinary Operations Coordinator and Chef de Cuisine of the highly rated student run restaurant open to the public.
From 2007-2012 Chef Vignapiano was the owner/executive chef for Fresh Flavors Catering – a seasonal, off premises caterer located in the Hamptons, NY.
Chef Vignapiano has participated in many competitions in the US and Italy both individually and as a member of the New York Culinary Team. He also has judged culinary and pastry competitions for the American Culinary Federation.
Michael has traveled throughout the U.S. as a representative for the Consortiums of Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Presently he is semi-retired and working seasonally in the Hamptons NY.
Most importantly, Chef Vignapiano, was part of the Il Chiostro family from 2000-2011 teaching the Tuscan cuisine program during the Autumn Arts Festival and he is thrilled to be returning.
Chef Michael Vignapiano has been a Culinary and Pastry instructor for over thirty years with various institutions such as The New York Restaurant School/Art Institute of NYC, CUNY, SUNY, and Monroe College where he was the Culinary Operations Coordinator and Chef de Cuisine of the highly rated student run restaurant open to the public.
From 2007-2012 Chef Vignapiano was the owner/executive chef for Fresh Flavors Catering – a seasonal, off premises caterer located in the Hamptons, NY.
Chef Vignapiano has participated in many competitions in the US and Italy both individually and as a member of the New York Culinary Team. He also has judged culinary and pastry competitions for the American Culinary Federation.
Michael has traveled throughout the U.S. as a representative for the Consortiums of Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Presently he is semi-retired and working seasonally in the Hamptons NY.
Most importantly, Chef Vignapiano, was part of the Il Chiostro family from 2000-2011 teaching the Tuscan cuisine program during the Autumn Arts Festival and he is thrilled to be returning.
Il Chiostro celebrates the harvest time of the year in Tuscany with The Autumn Arts Festival. We offer 3 separate workshops that all overlap throughout this week-long celebration of the arts, the harvest, the wine and this wonderful region of Italy. The workshops are:
- Painting in Watercolor & Acrylic with Lynn Stender
- Tuscan Cuisine – with Michael Vignapiano
- Travel Photography with Marie Joabar
In addition to your workshop we offer Italian Opera Appreciation lectures with Prof. Patricia Pease each evening before dinner. This is open to all participants.
Unfortunately this workshop is full. Click the Sign Up Now button above to be added to the wait list.
Program Description – Tuscan Cuisine:
Italy is an amazing culinary destination in that it has such varied regional cuisines in roughly the space of California. Tuscan cuisine and wine are known the world over, and there is nothing more exciting than to be part of the experience first-hand!
Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit Tuscany for food. Autumn brings the harvest – a time of so many treasures and delicacies from the harvesting of the grapes, to the pressing of the olives for oil and the curing of meats for the long winter
This year, our Il Chiostro executive chef Linda Mironti has asked her former chef instructor and friend, Chef Michael Vignapiano to lead this culinary adventure with her. They team up with their friend and local chef , “The Man From Chianti” Andrea Anichini, to fulfill these three main objectives for this course:
- The first, to gain a better understanding and appreciation for Tuscan regional cuisine. How terroir, economics, historical events, outside influences, etc., have shaped the cuisine to what it is today. This will be accomplished during our discussions and presentations with local and regional artisans, chefs and producers during our classes and excursions.
- Second, to increase your cooking and baking technical skills, and general cooking knowledge during the hands-on portion of the course. We will be focusing on ingredient selection, building flavor, adjustments, time management, etc.
- The last objective (and probably most important), to open yourselves to the bounty, beauty and flavors of Tuscany, through its food, wine and the people who produce it.
Andrea, rolling the pasta dough
Dievole Wine Resort, nestled in the heart of the chianti wine region of Tuscany, is the perfect spot to experience the heart and soul of Tuscan food and wine as we immerse ourselves in it’s culture. This historic inn offers first class accommodations, stunning vineyard views, and an authentic Tuscan ambiance. Enjoy strolls through the vineyards and dine on chef Monika’s creative flavor-busting gourmet meals made with the freshest local ingredients.
Join us on the journey. Come discover the magic of Tuscany through its flavors, landscapes, and traditions.
Here are some highlights of the class:
- 3 Cooking Classes
- Wine Tour at Dievole
- Olive Oil Tasting & Pressing (weather depending)
- Local Cheese Tasting
- Guided Excursions: to Siena, Pienza San Gimignano & Radda
- Visit local Artisans
Every day we will discuss how we can incorporate what we learn into our daily lives at home
Linda with Dievole staff
Price: $3,975 p/p
- Single supplement – $695 (limited number available)
Includes:
- Room (double or suite) with full ensuite bathroom
- 2 meals per day (dinner with wine and full Tuscan breakfast)
- Workshop tuition and fees (except where noted)
- General activities (except where noted)
- Transfers between Siena train or bus station and Dievole
General Activities Open to All Participants (in addition to workshop):
Most activities take place in and around the 900 year old Dievole estate & vineyard.
- Winery tour and tasting, featuring Dievole’s Chianti Classico
- Italian Opera Appreciation classes every evening before dinner
- Excursion to Siena
- Dinner in the old cantina
- Various topical excursions with your class
- Special evening concerts and surprise entertainment, TBA
- Pig Roast celebrating the harvest and the arts
Price does not include:
- Airfare
- Museum admissions
- Gratuities
To Register: just click on the Sign Up Now button. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot in the workshop. Payment can be made on line with a credit card or PayPal. Once we receive your deposit we will send you a formal Registration Confirmation with further information about the program. You will receive 2-3 other correspondences by email prior to the workshop with information about Italy, a supplies list and an electronic invoice for the balance. Final Balance is due by September 1st. Any time prior to your arrival, if you have questions about anything regarding the trip or the program, you can contact us by email or phone and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Contact us for more information: info@ilchiostro.com or speak to us live at 800-990-3506.
Dievole Chianti Classico Winery, Tuscany
Participants in the Autumn Arts Festival will stay in Dievole’s 16th century inn and guest houses floating in the magnificent Tuscan hills. We take over the whole winery so it will begin to feel like home after a few days. The entire facility recently underwent a major facelift transforming all rooms into spacious, luxury lodgings. Rooms are doubles or suites with modern bathrooms and heating.
A limited number of single rooms and suites are available for a supplement.
Dievole will seem more like a family inn rather than an impersonal chain hotel. Dievole is located in the town of Vagliagli, about 12km northeast of Siena and 40km south of Florence. If you wish to explore the area independently during your stay we recommend renting a car. The link below will give you a glimpse of the winery:
Click here to visit Dievole’s web site…
Visit them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dievole
Die vole vineyards, photo by Jim Palmer
Dievole wine bottles, photo by Gilbert Rios
Gianni pouring for a tasting, photo by Andy Holtzman
Dinner in the old wine cellar, photo by J Michael Sullivan
Dino ready to carve at the harvest pig roast
Early morning at Dievole, photo by Gabriella Pascoe
Orientation in the vintners’ room, photo by J Michael Sullivan
We will pick you up in Siena anytime between 1 and 5pm on the first day of the program. The recommended arrival airports are Florence or Rome from where you can take a bus or train to Siena. Florence is closer, but there are no direct flights from the US. You would have to change in another European city. Rome provides more flight options.
The bus/train from Rome to Siena is about 3 hours.
We can also arrange for a car to pick you up from Florence or Rome. You pay the driver directly. Just let us know a few days in advance so we can make the arrangemenst for you.
If you are departing from Rome on the last day, remember it is 3 hours by car or bus from Siena so try to book an afternoon flight.
If you have time, you might consider lingering in Italy for a few days extra on either end of the festival. Allow the Italian rhythms to seduce you. A few days in Rome or Florence upon arrival is a wonderful way to get over jet-lag. For other travel help check our Travel to Italy web page.
- If you like dealing with a person, try our travel consultant, Gwynne Chafer, gwynne.chafer@travelleadersgo.com, 608-791-8362 Mention that you are traveling with Il Chiostro.
- For this trip and whenever you travel, we strongly recommend personal travel insurance. It protects you against penalties should you need to cancel your trip at the last minute. If you don’t have a policy, contact Travelex (800) 504–7883 or www.travelex-insurance.com [Note: Travelex requires that you take out a policy within 21 days of registering for a travel program.]
Specific Travel information to get to Dievole:
By Train: There are regularly scheduled trains from all major towns and cities in Italy. Head towards Siena. From Rome there are several trains daily from the main station (Termini). You don`t need a reservation. Although you purchase a through ticket, it is necessary to change trains at Chiusi. The ride takes about 3.5 hours (approximately 240 km.) and the cost is around $20.
NOTE: in Italy it is the law to stamp your train ticket in the little yellow meter near each train platform. Failure to do so can result in heavy fines, even if you plead ignorance.
By Bus: There are also buses from almost anywhere in Italy to Siena. These are modern and comfortable coaches.
From Florence: buses leave the SITA terminal (next door to the train station) nearly every hour. If you take Siena Rapida, the ride is direct on the highway and should take 1 hour.
From Rome: the ride takes 3 hours (non-stop). If you plan to arrive at the Rome airport and plan to come directly to Siena, this is the quickest method. From the airport, take the train on the left-hand track to the Tiburtina station (NOT Termini). From there, go outside into the parking lot.
If you are already in Rome you can take the Metro to the Tiburtina station. Take the B (blue) line towards Rebibbia. Follow signs to Pzle. Stazione Tiburtina.
With the long side of the station at your back, cross under the overpass into the parking lot. Buy your ticket from the building marked Biglietteria C (17.50 Euros, approx. $20); the bus usually leaves from Gate 8. These buses leave every day at regular intervals. To get current fares and schedules for the Flix bus you can check their web site: www.sena.it.
Once in Siena, get off at the Siena train station (Ferrovia). Don’t get off in the center of Siena.
Tuscany in autumn is a sensual feast. Russet and golden hills. Crisp air. Trees weighted with olives. Woods rich with mushrooms and chestnuts. The scent of grapes hangs over the valleys like mist. The harvest is the soul of the Tuscans. In autumn the hilltowns revert to the locals. Their art is to prepare the bounty: prosciutto, nuts, olive oil and especially Chianti. Traditional festivals celebrate every phase from the vendemmia (harvesting of grapes for wine) to the wild boar. Music, folklore, dancing in the piazza.And there, in the heart of Tuscany, is Siena. The legendary medieval town packed with history and art. In autumn, her museums and churches relax, uncrowded. The streets echo her architecture, art and heroes.
Surrounding Vineyards, photo by Linda Mironti