Italy’s national cuisine has become the first gastronomic style to be recognised by UNESCO. This recognition celebrates Italian cuisine as a cultural beacon, warmly endorsed by the Prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.
National favourites have made their way on UNESCO’s list of “intangible cultural heritage” in the past – including Neapolitan pizza – but this is the first time the cuisine has been recognised in its entirety. Everything – from pasta and pizza to wine and tiramisu – will be included on the coveted list of “intangible cultural heritage”.
With over 35 years of experience, we bring the best of Italian cuisine directly to our guests. Our in-villa chefs prepare authentic Italian dishes using traditional techniques and the finest homegrown ingredients, allowing you to experience UNESCO-recognised culinary culture from the comfort of your own private villa.
Cucina povera
From hand-rolled pasta in Tuscany to rich, slow-cooked sauces in Umbria, every dish is a celebration of Italy’s gastronomic artistry. “Cucina povera” – (cuisine of the poor or peasant cooking) – is an example.
Versatile and composed of few ingredients, this style of cooking relishes in simplicity, wasting nothing and making the best of the ingredients you have to hand. From Pappa al Pomodoro (“Tuscan bread and tomato soup”) to Peposo alla Fornacina (“Florentine Beef and Pepper Stew”) – a staple in Tuscany for over 500 years – it is quality and simplicity that matter most.
Prepared worldwide, the beloved Bruschetta al Pomodoro has also become synonymous with “cucina povera”, uniting two quintessential symbols of Italian cuisine – extra-virgin olive oil and the beloved tomato.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been pushing for her country's cuisine to be recognised since her election, said it best: "For us Italians, cuisine is not just food or a collection of recipes. It is so much more: it is culture, tradition, work, wealth."
Where to Experience Authentic Italian Cuisine
Tuscany is often celebrated as the cooking capital of Italy and the birthplace of Italian gastronomy. If you’re interested in learning the secrets of Tuscan cuisine, the fully-staffed Estate of Petroio is a good place to start.
Chef Francesco Marrucelli offers guests an authentic introduction to regional cooking, blending family traditions with seasonal ingredients. Through cooking workshops and wood-fire pizza classes, Marrucelli attentively guides guests through each step, using recipes from his grandparents’ tavern in Tuscany.
Ribollita is a prime example, a winter-warmer and the ultimate comfort food. Defined as the region’s quintessential bread soup, this beloved dish originates from humble peasant traditions, transforming leftover vegetables, beans and stale bread into a hearty soup. You can try Francesco Marrucelli’s recipe for yourself with this step-by-step guide.
At the heart of every Albizi stay is a chef-led dining experience built around locally inspired menus and hyper-seasonal ingredients. The esteemed Chef Tommaso Mori prepares the ingredients from scratch, blending tradition and innovation in every dish. Through the villa’s app, guests can also join Tommaso for private cooking classes with curated wine pairings.
If you’re staying in one of our villas in Tuscany, two of our most cherished chefs, Pippo and Guida, are available for private catering and guided cooking classes, which can be booked through our award-winning Concierge Service. This dynamic cooking duo share a long-lasting friendship and devotion to traditional Tuscan cuisine, inviting you to taste Italy’s UNESCO-recognised flavours from the comfort of your villa.
Plan a Stress-Free Gourmet Getaway with our Villa Specialists
In light of Italy’s recent cultural heritage status, our in-villa chefs bring an added layer of authenticity to every meal, showcasing traditional recipes, local ingredients and regional techniques.
From the moment you book, you'll enjoy access to our complimentary Concierge Service, ready to arrange everything from chef-led stays to private dinners prepared by your in-villa chef, so you'll never have to lift a finger. Speak to our Villa Specialists today to start planning your epicurean villa holiday in Tuscany.