On Tour With America's Test Kitchen

First announced in November 2019, a new partnership between EF Go Ahead Tours — a leading provider of immersive, small-group travel — and America's Test Kitchen (cooking show and publisher of Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazines) planned to have the inaugural departure of its Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany With America’s Test Kitchen itinerary in October 2020. 

But, as with most travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, that original tour date was delayed, and the first group finally departed for Italy on Oct. 8, 2021. 

I was fortunate to be on that inaugural tour, traveling along with 19 other (masked) participants, which featured Jack Bishop, chief creative officer of America's Test Kitchen (ATK), and Heidi Durflinger, president of EF Go Ahead Tours. This ambitious 11-day itinerary is a culinary and wine enthusiast's dream, highlighting the Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions in Northern Italy. And for me — a passionate cook, lover of all things Italian and a food and travel writer — I was thrilled to be a part of the launch and this exciting collaboration.

Described as "predictive of a new, more purpose-driven and hands-on travel style," the trip features immersive experiences and VIP access to winemakers, food producers, artisans and chefs. Foodie groupies of have ATK enjoyed the perks of traveling with one of their favorite television personalities, such as Bishop or Christie Morrison, deputy editor of culinary content and curriculum at ATK, and future travelers will appreciate the show’s involvement in new, creative ways.     

"I believe one of the most beautiful ways to experience a culture is through its cuisine,” Durflinger said. “Our Food & Wine Tour of Piedmont and Tuscany with America's Test Kitchen is a stunning tour from start to finish. We provide behind-the-scenes access to culinary experiences that are otherwise difficult to discover on your own." 

For me, highlights of the journey included the alfresco lunch at the home of truffle hunting brothers in the Langhe region of Piedmont, followed by a trip to the historic center of Alba to explore the renowned International Alba White Truffle Fair. Visiting the ancient Quadrilatero food market in the central part of Bologna and wandering the winding cobblestone streets in the picturesque hill town of San Gimignano in Tuscany filled my senses with everything I'd been missing while not traveling during the pandemic. 

A trip to Italy’s Barolo wine region featured lunch with wine pairings that was hosted by the winery’s owner and her daughter. It was inspiring to listen to the stories of the artisans and producers, such as the history of two wine-making brothers at their beautiful villa in the Chianti region. On another day, we visited a small producer of the "King of Cheese" (Parmigiana Reggiano), and spent time tasting prized Modena vinegar at a family-owned estate in Emilia-Romagna. I was especially appreciative of our tour director, who commanded a wealth of knowledge and expertise about the regions we visited. 

We were also treated to a private dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef and his brigade at a restaurant in Turin. There was a hands-on cooking class one night where we prepared homemade tortellini and tagliatelle at an agriturismo (farm) outside of Bologna. And the last evening's farewell dinner, hosted at Santa Margherita winery's Vitique restaurant in Greve in Chianti, was a lavish six-course affair with wine pairings that proved to be a grand ending to the tour.  Then, there was the magical setting of the Renaissance-era villa where we stayed in the Tuscan countryside overlooking the rolling hills of Chianti – truly unforgettable.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share these incredible experiences with like-minded travelers, the tour was tightly orchestrated, keeping us very busy each day (so I suggested that they offer a little more downtime). I would have also liked an additional evening in Bologna (we had two nights at a lovely hotel situated on the main square, Piazza Maggiore), and more free time to explore the cities of Bologna and Florence. 

"I thought I knew Italy, but the culinary experiences on this trip were a revelation to me,” Bishop said during the tour. “We met artisans, farmers and producers who brought to life centuries of tradition and gave us a true taste of modern Italian cuisine at its very best."

The Details 
EF Go Ahead Tours