Most cooking tours feature one chef who gives you two to four 
cooking lessons in the same kitchen on your three to six day 
cooking adventure. Some tours take you to a variety of 
restaurants and homes so you cook with many chefs or good home 
cooks. The "cook’s tour" version is four chefs in four different 
kitchens in six days.

Which is better for you, one or many?

Cooking with one chef four times in six days gives you an 
opportunity to really get to know one another ---a new friend in 
Italy! Working together in the kitchen over a few days means your 
teacher will understand what you want and need to learn, and how 
you learn best, so you get the most out of your lessons.

In most cooking tours with one chef, your cooking lessons are in 
the same hotel or country property you stay at, so you just go 
downstairs after breakfast for a morning lesson, and can just 
walk to your room after your dinner following an early evening 
lesson. No driving back and forth from home to other chefs' 
kitchens. 

If you're looking for a relaxed pace with a new Italian friend 
at a home base, the "one chef" cooking tour is for you.

Cooking with many chefs, you meet a wonderful variety of local 
characters from young & charming to old & charming, from a top 
restaurant chef to a grandmother on her farm.

Some cook traditional style plates while others mix in creative 
touches; dishes are too beautiful to eat. You learn a variety of 
styles and presentations. Each area has it’s own specialities, 
white truffles, artichokes and an ever changing array of olive 
oils and rich flavoured regional wines. More aromas to temp your 
palate than you could ever imagine and the best part is that you 
will be able to recreate the recipes and relive the memories when 
you are back working in your own kitchen at home.

You experience cooking in many kitchens, restaurants and 
homes—the equipment they use, how their kitchens are laid out--
you get a real feel for food culture and maybe some ideas for 
your kitchen at home.

Visit a variety of towns and landscapes as you travel to all the 
chefs' kitchens and get a good idea of what the countryside is 
like. It’s an opportunity to soak up the warm rich colours and 
imposing architecture from the various ages of Italy. 

If you're looking for real immersion in Italian culture, thrive 
on variety and like to keep busy, the "many chef" tour is 
designed especially with you in mind.

I've visited about 40 cooking holiday programs in Italy from 
north to south stayed in the accommodation, met the owners and 
chefs, and whenever possible, participated in Italian cooking 
lessons and of course sampled the food. I've been travelling to 
Italy since 1972, lived in Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast for 
three years. Although I no longer live in Italy, I always come 
away from my Italian travels in my "second country" with mouth-
watering new recipes and a renewed appreciation of Italy and the 
Italian people. 

Margaret Cowan is Mama Margaret. She owns Mama Margaret & Friends
Cooking, Wine & Walking Adventures in Italy. If you like to 
immerse yourself in the local culture, learn to cook local 
dishes and meet unique characters when you travel, you will 
appreciate Margaret’s Insider Travel Tips at:  
http://www.italycookingschools.com