I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits.
I’m in full swing again—cooking classes are back! My days are full of cooking, prepping, and cleaning, and I love it! Summer seemed to end the other day: one week of very warm days, and then suddenly the rain came and the air turned cool (at least for me!). I’ve already welcomed many wonderful guests, and I always feel such joy in sharing my recipes—simple dishes coming from traditional Italian home food.
During each class, we take a little tour of the garden. Then the class is followed by dinner, and now that the days are shorter, we step outside with lanterns under the magic Tuscan sky. From there, you can see the lights of Castagneto Carducci glowing in the distance and sunsets that paint the sky in shades of pink and blue.
In the dark, the garden becomes even more enchanting. Guests carry little lamps to guide their way through herbs, eggplants, tomatoes, and other plants. Touching and smelling marjoram, basil, thyme, and lemon balm in the quiet night creates a deeper experience. Somehow, the dark helps us dive deeper into the aromas of the fresh herbs.
Many of our guests choose one of the best times of year to visit Tuscany: September. If you’re not tied to school holidays, it’s truly the perfect moment: beaches are quiet, the days are cooler, while the sea still feels like silk.
We also had the joy of welcoming dear friends back this month.​
​Colleen Cannon from Women’s Quest visited, and as always, we shared wonderful moments together. Our friendship is unique. It goes beyond space, since an ocean separates us, and beyond time, since we only see each other once a year. Yet, in countless mysterious ways, she has always been there for me exactly when I needed support.
I can truly say that Chicca’s Cooking Club began thanks to her and her husband, sweet Howard. Five years ago, I hosted my very first online cooking class with Colleen and her 85 friends! That moment was the spark that led to everything we’ve built since.
For those who don’t know her, Colleen Cannon is a former professional triathlete. She earned nearly 100 podium finishes in 11 years—including the ultimate victory as 1984 World Champion. Just last month, she was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. Today, she is also the heart behind Women’s Quest—an inspiring community that empowers women through adventure, wellness, and joy. She’s not only an extraordinary athlete but also a true guide, with a gift for bringing people together and helping them discover their own strength.
And another joyful reunion: Giuliano and Lael Hazan. By chance, I first met them here in Tuscany three years ago, and that meeting became a real friendship.
Giuliano returned this week to lead his hands-on cooking tours in collaboration with Marisa Allegrini at Poggio al Tesoro. We shared several meals, both at home and in local restaurants, and it reminded me again that food is never just about cooking—it’s about connection, joy, and friendship.
Spending time with Giuliano and Lael is always special. Giuliano brings not only his passion for teaching Italian food, but also the spirit of his mother, Marcella Hazan—the extraordinary woman who changed the way Americans cook and understand Italian cuisine. A new documentary about Marcella has just been released on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, a beautiful tribute to her life and influence. (You can watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/xS-Jg3sEFvA).
This month also brought deep sadness. If you follow me on social media, you may have already seen this. At the end of August, we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Frida. Our gentle giant, family protector, peacekeeper, and fluffy bundle of joy.
It was such a shock—just an hour before, she had been playing happily with us, full of life. Then we found her lying still at the bottom of the garden. She had been bitten by a viper, and there was nothing we could do.
If you’ve ever been a guest here, you surely remember Frida. She was part of the welcome committee, always greeting people with warmth, alongside her furry friend Birra and our cat Aldo. Though she was a Pyrenean mountain dog, she loved swimming so much that we often had to leash her at the beach to keep her from diving straight into the waves.
She slept in front of our bedroom, as if we were her flock to guard. She was only six years old—happy, loved, and full of life. Losing her so suddenly broke our hearts.
Although summer is ending, bruschetta is always a big hit with guests. This recipe I’m sharing here is a nice twist on the classic mozzarella and tomato Caprese salad.
Made with fresh green herbs and ripe tomatoes, in this recipe, I use different types of mozzarella (buffalo and cow), seasoned with a good splash of balsamic vinegar and a generous dash of fresh lemon zest. A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is perfect for blending all these flavors together. Served with a good slice of toasted bread, you will not stop dipping it into the infused oil…it’s just an Italian end-of-summer dream!
Normally, this recipe and class replay are exclusive for Chicca’s Cooking Club members, but if you love to try, just drop me a message!
And if you don’t cook it, I’d still love to hear from you—just let me know how you’re doing!
With love from Tuscany,
Chicca
