Though not vegetarian, the everyday Tuscan diet is predominantly made up of vegetables and many traditional recipes can be adapted with very few changes.

All lessons are hands on, preparing guests to reproduce the same dishes at home with ease. Italian cooking as a whole is not based on complex or difficult procedures. The guiding principle is to get a few good ingredients and don't mess about with them too much.

If the vegan option is not specifically requested meals and cooking lessons may include some dairy produce and eggs, but only those produced from animals kept humanely and free of antibiotics and steroids in local farms that I have personally visited. The cheeses used will be free of animal rennet.

All the food provided during the holiday will be strictly fresh, unadulterated and non GM. Most will be locally produced on small holdings and sold directly by the producer.

No fish or meat products will be used.