MEET YOUR CHEFS

Pictured above with his daughter Isabel (co-founder of Tuscan Way), Carlo Innocenti is the owner of and Master Chef at Casa Innocenti. He is a man of many resources: a gifted chef, an artisan and entertainer. He recently opened ‘La Locanda del Prete”, a bed and breakfast and favorite of the locals, just outside of Arcidosso and people, of course, love it! Carlo has spent over 30 years - most of his life – in the entertaining and hospitality industry. During the 1970’s, he was owner and manager of the Jolly Club, one of the first discothèques in Central Italy. During the 1980’s, he was owner of Carlo’s Club, a popular discothèque in the area. He was also the Master Chef and owner of the exclusive Harry’s Bar in Punta Ala, a famous Southern Tuscany beach resort, and he has taught Tuscan cuisine cooking courses in Switzerland and now for 8 years to his American & Canadian guests in Arcidosso.

Enrico Casini, owner of and Master Chef at Il Casacce, studied under the tutelage of Luigo Veronelli, one of Italy’s most celebrated chefs. In 1985, Enrico was awarded as one of the seven “Best Chefs of Italy under 35”. He has spent years traveling the world, learning about the cuisines of many different cultures, and creating innovative and delicious new recipes. These days Enrico stays close to his beloved Tuscany, opening his Ristorante, tending to his olive groves, and along with his wife Stefania, baking Tuscan breads and hand-rolling traditional pastas. As he says, “This is home. I have realized that my life has been a long, beautiful march to this valley. And I have realized that what I really wanted was to stop beside these trees, and live inside these stone houses to experiment with a different hospitality. Creating “the dish” and seeing friends happily tasting my food isn’t enough for me anymore, I feel the time has come to offer and attempt to complete pure happiness for my guests...”

Romeo Innocenti has been immersed in the Italian culture of food and wine since early childhood. Son of Grand Chef Carlo Innocenti, he spent most of his boyhood at his father’s elbow (and often in his way!) learning all he could about Tuscan cooking and wine. Romeo discovered an affinity for Tuscan sea-foods, and has developed many exciting, delicious, and tempting ways to prepare the bounty of the sea. He is also talented at making simple, delectable sauces, that are both light and satisfying.

Romeo is also a sommelier in training, and is most capable of guiding his guests in choosing the perfect wine to accompany, compliment, and enhance their Italian meal.

With his engaging, friendly manner and his graciousness as a host, Romeo Innocenti will certainly make your Tuscan holiday a most memorable experience!

Roberto Bondioli is both an artist and a chef. He has taken the traditional Tuscan cooking, added a cosmopolitan Florentine flair, and with an artist’s fine touch, created a cuisine that is both incredibly beautiful and sinfully delicious! Roberto believes art and cooking are intertwined and his food is a testimony to his philosophy.

Born and raised in nearby Lucca, he attended The Chef’s Institute of Montecatini as a first and second level chef. He also studied Medieval Italian cuisine for five years, and enjoys combining the Old with the New.

Roberto is an active participant and contributor to Italy’s food and wine publication, “Buon Appetito” and many of the dishes on the menu at Villa Castelletti’s Tre Corone Ristorante menu were created by Roberto himself. With is sous chef, Elvio Raugei, Roberto will bring to you the joy and beauty of creating, cooking, and serving fine Italian foods and wines.

Anna, hostess and owner of Villa Gaia, is originally from Naples. Restoring Villa Gaia to it’s original gentile nobility, she makes good use of the traditional Tuscan oven!

Anna will treat our Villa Gaia guests to a real treat; traditional pizza making using the Villa’s wood burning oven, and how to make fresh, home-made, hand-rolled pasta.

Anna will spoil your taste buds and you will never look at pizza or pasta the same way again!