A Dream Lived in a Post Card
And so it began…
The journey to Montefollonico, one of the most gorgeous places on earth. On the train to La Chuisa, I realized that dreams can be dangerous, as they can come with a set of expectations. In my experience, expectations can set you up for failure. Robbing you of the true intention of your dream in the first place, which for me was culinary love. I closed my eyes, envisioned nothing, and let my breath relax into a state of openness… and nausea. I realized I don’t do well with long train rides. I took a taxi to lovely La Chiusa and was so exhausted when I arrived, I literally stumbled down the old stone stairs in the arms of eloquent Manuela. “Hungry?” she asked. “Exhausted,” I replied. “Before you retire, would you like some grapes from our vine?” she asked. I realized she is cutting them from above my head. “Yes,” I reply, as she hands them to me, my eyes become a little watery. My dream of Italy has begun… I slept well.
The next day, feeling refreshed and curious, I’m off to meet my Tuscan gals. After our gathering, I realize I have arrived in a place where I am looked after, women caring for women. Rhonda and Coleen are our Tuscan mommas, embracing us with their attention to detail and family meetings. As we head to dinner at 13 Gobbi, I smile. This school has me at Buongiorgno. We ate scrumptious homemade pasta, tossed in milk and a pecorino wheel. Great conversation with Daniel, Mary, Sandy, Rhonda, Coleen, and my main squeeze, Lenny, filled with in many ways. All of us adventurous women, we retired with full stomach, elated to begin our culinary lessons in the morning.
At La Chiusa, Dania is a vision of kitchen elegance - a chef and an artist. I like her very much. She uses simple ingredients and has flawless technique. We laugh and learn to make pici from a dough master.
Later, as lunch is served to us and I sit with my new Tuscan family, I appreciate the stillness of this moment. As we part ways to enjoy an afternoon resposito, I stop and take a photo that astounds me I literally burst out laughing. I really am living in a postcard.
They say in our pearls of wisdom that breakfast isn’t an event at La Chiusa, but I beg to differ. When Marco, with his stylish ways and his beautiful accent, serves you the most frothy and creamy cappuccino, his only wish is to bring you happiness at this morning hour. You realize that there is nothing normal about serving others here. Marco, a professor who lost his home and school in an earthquake a decade ago and I empathise with his stories. He waves it away with his hands, “Alora! Today is the most important day.”
Boarding the car with our wild driver Fabio, off to meet the next chef, I pinch myself. Donatello is a master pasta creator at 13 Gobbi. Watching, learning and embracing is my new mantra. Our engaging interpreter, Christina, tells me Donatello thinks I have great rolling skills… you would have thought I just received a Nobel Prize.
After another ridiculous lunch filled with wine and sassy conversation, we are off to tour an agriturismo. Agriturismos are small villages, with hotel accommodation and eighty percent of the food coming from the farm itself. While we tour it, I want the one and only male chef we encounter! Lenny teases me for flirting with the chef, but who can blame me? I am in Italy, after all. As he shows us to make the same pizza dough I make at home, I am content. After a delightful evening, I wink and say goodbye to this hot Italian chef.
On and on our days go here - filled with lessons, Italian adventures, and building friendships. As our last night approached, I found myself in the kitchen of La Chiusa with Umberto, the owner of this sweet sanctuary. He pours me a special glass of wine and as we settle into conversation about politics, life, and how La Chiusa came to be, I feel honoured to sit with this wise human being.
Umberto knew from a young age that he would be a business owner. He had the intention of offering hard-working women, who broke their backs in the fields and the home for no money. He wanted to give them a job, where they received the pay, not the husband. He believes this was a God-inspired idea. Empowering women to be independent forty-five years ago… I can only imagine how interesting a process socially that may have been. Umberto and Dania were married long ago, divorced now but continue to run this business together. I love these people. Their class, their kindness, and a warmth that draws you in and holds you close before you sadly have to have to depart. With tears in my eyes, until next time.
