Anna Maria Cook

Ciao! I am Anna Maria and I am a professional cook with over 25 years of experience.

I was born in Tuscany, in the Vald’Orcia area on a farm with 10 brothers and sisters. I learned very early to help my mother with home cooking and as I grew up, I fell in love with all different aspects of cooking especially Tuscan cooking, organic, vegetarian, vegan and celiac specializing in earthy local recipes. I am married to a Florentine and we have a daughter who studies Agriculture Sciences. She occasionally helps me and it is with great joy that I can pass down my teachings and recipes to her. We live on an organic farm in the Colle val d’Elsa area near Siena.

Since cooking is an act of love, you cannot love without using all of your senses - this is cooking for me. I aim to offer you a wonderful experience in the discovery of food delicacies. Let's discover the wonder of food together. 

Traditional Tuscan Menus

1)  Bruschetta with garlic and olive oil
Lasagna with zucchini and sausage
Peposo (traditional Florentine beef stew)
Spinach and truffle vegetable flan

Fig and Nut Tarte

2)  Bruschetta with tomato or cannelini beans and olive oil
Hand made spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage sauce
Chicken Etrusca with fresh herbs and roasted potatoes

Tiramisu

3) Zucchini flowers filled with ricotta cheese
Pici cacio e  pepe (cheese and pepper) or all’Aglione (with garlic and oil)
Florentine bistecca with rucola salad and roasted potatoes

Torta della nonna (can also be done in chocolate)

4) Selection of cheeses and honeys, sliced cured meats and toasted bread
Taglierini with truffle sauce or Ribollita
Braised wild boar and sautéed spinach

Zuppa Inglese

 
Private cooking while you are staying at a rented villa in Tuscany
Private and romantic dinners
Small events and garden parties
Cooking classes

How it works

If you have rented your own villa for a relaxing holiday with friends and family, the last thing on your mind while unwinding by the pool is cooking. I can prepare and serve a gourmet Tuscan lunch and/or dinner of your choice. Or, perhaps a lazy picnic among the olive groves. You can always enjoy my cooking without leaving your property. If you are renting a property, the cupboards and fridge can also be stocked on your arrival to relieve you from the stress of having to find the nearest supermarket.

I will create the menu keeping in mind your likes and dislikes and of course any dietary requirement so that everybody will be able to enjoy the meal and relax. For the meal preparation, I will do the grocery shopping and on-site cooking for you and the final cleaning of the kitchen. If interested, I can also consult on wine selection. Let’s discuss your choice of food from my menus and I will give you a cost estimate depending on the number of guests, menu choice and wine selections! Please send me an email at annamaria.cook@yahoo.it

Cooking classes

The best way to fully understand the Tuscan culture is to experience our food and wine simultaneously.  Let me guide you through the preparation of pastas, risottos, meat, or fresh fish, with in season vegetables and delicious cakes. It is possible to set up cooking classes up to 10 guests in your rented villa, home or other venues. Please enquire by sending me an e-mail.