We’ve been friends for over five years, growing together, learning from each other, meeting all over Europe to sit and chat over a cup of tea, cook, travel, discuss ideas and projects. We helped each other through the process of writing a book, we supported each other in our struggle to find a creative balance in between life and work.

Now, Regula, Sarka and I have joined forces under ‘Three Acres’ to create this get together in beautiful places so you too can join in the conversation, the learning, the cooking and the eating. We’ve been working on this project for months.

I am therefore overly excited to finally announce our first Three Acres Creative Gathering.

Join us for a creative gathering which will celebrate the seasonal food and the pleasure of getting together in a quiet location in the Tuscan countryside.

Three Acres – Creative Gathering

Strands of mist entangled around the branches of the trees on the hilltop. The smell of a fireplace at dusk. A whiff of roast chestnuts around every corner, a chestnut cake with rosemary, pine nuts, raisins and olive oil. Mushrooms and squash. A glug of nocino – a traditional walnut liqueur by the fire. Toasted bread with a drizzle of new olive oil and creamy beans spooned on top.

You can not find a better moment to visit the Tuscan countryside.

Details

October 28 – 30 2016
Siena countryside, Tuscany
Nearest airport: Florence or Pisa
You can also arrive in Rome and take a train to Florence.
Max 6 participants
Further details on the gathering page on Big Cartel here >

Practical information

October 28
Check-in at the agriturismo after 3pm
6-7pm meet and greet at Juls’ Kitchen, followed by dinner

October 30
Goodbye at Juls’ Kitchen at 5pm
Option to book an extra night at the agriturismo if you want to travel back on Monday
You are welcome to join us for dinner at a restaurant but each will pay for their own.

We have done everything to keep the price as low as possible but as we pay each producer or business and work with beautiful local produce, the price reflects that. We want the small businesses we work with to benefit from this, not be left out of pocket because we are after a freebie. Everyone deserves to get the price they or their product is worth.

What we will be up to*

You will stay at a lovely but basic agriturismo in the Sienese countryside on the outskirts of a tiny village with only a few houses. We will pick you up every day and when we are at Juls’ Kitchen we will walk there and enjoy the fresh air. Juls’ Kitchen is situated in that tiny village and is the cookery studio of Giulia Scarpaleggia who has been teaching Tuscan cookery courses and food expeditions there for over five years. The studio is cosy and features a large open plan kitchen where will will cook and eat and drink copious amounts of tea. We have a lovely big garden there with wonderful countryside views, olive trees and the company of a Maremma Sheep dog and a black cat.

We will light up the wood burning oven to make pizza, focaccia and bread, we will enjoy a spread of local vegetables and charcuterie to taste the real flavour of the countryside, we will walk under century old oaks to channel nature’s force and inspiration.

Inspired by the ‘Three Acres and a Cow’ philosophy we will visit a local organic family run cheese farm where they make a raw milk pecorino, the typical sheep milk cheese of Tuscany. After the farm we will head to Siena for a walk and dinner in one of the most well preserved medieval towns of Tuscany. There will be plenty opportunities for each student to practice the techniques learned during the weekend.

Read more about the ‘Three Acres and a Cow’ philosophy in Regula’s blogpost >

Giulia, Regula and Sarka will discuss their philosophy on styling and shooting and we will show you how to style and photograph one subject in three different styles.

  

Who can attend?

It is open to everyone, not just photographers and bloggers, but all creative people who want to explore different styles and deepen their visual voice.

Who are we?

Giulia (me!) is the author of 5 cookery books, she has been running Tuscan cooking classes, food excursions and workshops for 5 years from her Tuscan family home and studio Juls’ Kitchen.
She also writes an award winning blog Juls’ Kitchen:
www.julskitchen.com
Twitter & Instagram: @Julskitchen

Regula is the author of 2 books on food and drink culture. She photographs and writes for a living. She is also a graphic designer. Her focus lies with reality, this can mean natural light or going on a fishing boat at 4 in the morning to capture the essence of a situation.
Regula also writes a blog which was shortlisted for a Saveur Blog Award:
www.missfoodwise.com
Twitter & Instagram: @MissFoodwise

Sarka has been a professional photographer for 6 years working with editorial clients in the UK and her homeland Czech Republic. She has been tutoring photography workshops for years and she is your go to girl for the technical part.
www.sarkababicka.com 
Twitter & Instagram: @ Sarkababicka

The cost

The all-inclusive cost is 890 € per person

This includes:
2 nights accommodation in a shared bedroom at Tenuta Mensanello, just 2 km from the Studio **
1 dinner on Friday at Juls’ Kitchen + 1 dinner on Saturday in a restaurant in Siena
2 lunches cooked at Juls’ Kitchen
2 breakfasts at your agriturismo (with home made cakes and local charcuterie included)
Drinks and refreshments during the weekend at Juls’ Kitchen
Transport during the weekend
All teachings and excursions (2)

Not included:
Transport to and from Italy and to the agriturismo
Anything extra you would like to purchase personally
Travel insurance
Cancellation insurance

*Note the schedule is subject to change*

Feel free to email me with questions, I am so excited to share this experience and my countryside with you!