SIMONETTA
I’ve loved to cook since I was 9 years old. Reading cookbooks, experimenting recipes and food ,also from other countries. Cooking with my mother and sister was normal having always friends at lunch or parties.
Probably because of my scientific mind I degreed in Biology at the University of Florence. Because of the International family connections I studied English ,French and Spanish
Started my career as a researcher in a Biology Centre and went on as Nutrition Expert for a Dutch Company
Then I started thinking that the family company we had, a Foreign Language school had much more to do with my love for travelling and meeting people.
The demand for Italian Cooking Classes and friendship with restaurant chefs transformed my hobby into my main work.
I used to be a city person and I still love cities but I learnt to appreciate the beauty and lifestyle of Chianti countryside
PAOLA
The first smell I remember in my life is a white pizza with rosemary on top; at 8 years I played the part of a chef in a theatre piece.
With a passion for communication, I degreed in Foreign Languages, at the University of Florence
Languages :English, German, French and others for passion.
I started my career as an Interpreter /Translator in different fields and following a family tradition I moved to Diplomatic Career doing International studies but the desire to work independent was too strong and joined the family Foreign Language School
I found that my true love is teaching what I know best: Italian Language and Italian Cooking ,that is a way to share these passions of mine with everybody’s else.
I used to be a city person but I love the country ,walking in the olive groves and follow seasons’ changes with my daughters.
Since 1990 we S &P,Simonet & Paola, give Italian Cooking Classes in Italian and English in our homes and do research in Italian gastronomic traditional field.
In our cute property in Chianti we produce extra virgin olive oil and organic fruit and vegetable, we use for family and classes.
We have worked with chefs of international name:our homestyle cooking/cookery in years has got reputation.
Since 2002 Toscana Mia is our Cooking School in Florence and Chianti ,Tuscan countryside.
We collaborate with food & cooking magazines .
Articles on us on :American way (American Airlines Magazine), Cooking Light, Forbes , Gourmet Traveller,Bulletin , Dragens Nyheter,Elle,FT Brazil, Japanese 25 Ans,Italia (Sweden), Italie (Netherlands),Waitrose Food illustrated,The West Australia , Taste Italia.We appear on TV show on RTE Irish Public Channel, No Frontiers, British Channel Four, Dutch TV .
Toscana Mia Blog 