Lorenza and Gli Archi Culinary School
My name is Lorenza Santo and I was born and brought up in Liguria, Italy...a tiny strip of land between the Ligurian Sea and the mountains not too far from Genoa.
Childhood in Liguria
I have loved cooking since I was a little girl and I was always trying to copy my grandmother's recipes using paper, sand and leaves for ingredients.
My greatest pleasure and happiness came when using a little bit of 'real' dough or doing easy task such as beating egg whites with a fork or chopping the parsley with a 'mezzaluna'.
“Knives are dangerous “ she said “ but keeping both hands on the handle of the mezzaluna there’s no risk to cut your finger”
Later when I went to school I often made cookies for my schoolmates who would come in the afternoon to play.
Tuscany, my second home
I have lived in Tuscany since1979. After graduating in Agricultural Sciences I moved to the Valdorcia, where for 20 years I managed the kitchen work at Agriturismo Il Rigo, that we opened with my husband Vittorio in 1990.
Now the kitchen at Il Rigo is followed by our daughter Luisa who, with her husband Matthias, succeded us in the management of the family business.
I began teaching cooking classes at Il Rigo in 1997 to transmit and give value to the tradition of this region, famous for its produce and excellent wines.
Il Ristorante degli Archi
In 2009 we opened the Ristorante degli Archi on the ground floor of Casa dell’Abate Naldi.
We named it Gli Archi because it was right under the arcade of the courtyard but also in tribute to the chamber music, to the string instruments (orchestra strings in Italian are “gli archi”).
In fact we had already started to host classical music concerts in the drawing room on the first floor or in the courtyard.
Working in the restaurant I learned the necessary tecniques to serve in a short time recipes that require a longer preparation, without giving up the handmade pasta and the use of fresh and seasonal ingredients and I finally reinforced my belief that the unique menu , that means cooking like at home, allows better results and offers greater experiences also under the aspect of conviviality.
Cooking classes at Gli Archi Culinary School
After 6 years from its opening we have decided to close the restaurant.
One reason that led us to this hard decision was the difficulty of passing on the story behind every recipe that was entwined with our story and the history of the house where the restaurant was located.
Gli Archi Culinary School was born on the premises of the restaurant and in the old kitchen of the house, once used as the most beloved dining room.
At the School small groups of friends or family parties can learn how to prepare an Italian traditional meal that after is served under the arches ( Gli Archi) or by the fire in the old kitchen.
Another great passion of mine that has grown in recent years is the pairing of wines.
My degree in agricolture gave me the knowledge on how to grow the vineyard and make the wine,and thanks to ONAV ( National Association of Wine Testers) I learned the tasting method, where the smells and tastes of wine come from and how can we compare and value the different labels.
During the cooking class we always enjoy a glass of wine while working, and after I’m glad to help my pupils to choose the wine at lunchtime.
LET'S COOK TOGETHER
Next Events
Casa dell’Abate Naldi hosts the cooking lessons of Gli Archi Culinary School, musical events, exhibitions of art and crafts.
Click on the calendar days to find out what the next events are, we invite you to participate and come to meet us in S. Quirico d’Orcia, in Tuscany.