Private Dining and Italian Cooking Classes
Chef Jimmy
Behind every unforgettable evening at Villa Gioiella is Chef Jimmy — a chef who is shaped by travel, tradition, generations, as well as generous helpings of Italian hospitality.
Jimmy’s culinary journey began with a long apprenticeship while travelling across Brazil, Argentina, and Spain, including time in Ibiza and Barcelona, before returning to Italy to refine his craft. He later completed a Master’s in Creative Italian Cuisine, alongside specialist training in wok cookery in Bangkok. This experience expanded his techniques while deepening his respect for balance and flavour.
But his true roots run even deeper.
Chef Jimmy comes from a family of restaurateurs dating back to 1889 in Liguria. Cooking, for him, is not a profession. It is an inheritance.
Today, as a Tuscan at heart and an Umbrian home, he brings classical Italian foundations to every menu. Always ready to invent, collaborate, guide and suggest the perfect meal and seasonal ingredients for every special occasion or casual evening, always guided by local flavours.
Creative Italian Cuisine with an Umbrian Twist
Chef Jimmy’s style blends tradition with imagination.
He works primarily with local, zero-km ingredients, selecting produce from small Umbrian and Tuscan producers whenever possible. Olive oil from local groves, seasonal vegetables, wild herbs, farro, truffles, cheeses, cured meats — the region dictates the rhythm of the menu.
“I follow a classical style, but I am always ready to create something new.”
While he enjoys cooking meat, vegetables are equally central to his philosophy. Tuscan cuisine, with its simplicity and depth, remains closest to his heart. The most popular regional dishes are often his personal favourites.
Chef designs the menus to reflect both the delicious seasonal produce and the guests seated at the table.
An Evening at Villa Gioiella
Dinner at Villa Gioiella is not restaurant dining delivered to your home. It is something far more personal.
The courtyard glows as evening falls. The wine flows. Courses arrive thoughtfully presented, each one explained with passion.
For Chef Jimmy, presentation and storytelling matter as much as flavour:
“Guests should always be surprised by something beautiful and innovative. A dish must look good — but it must also be explained properly.”
This attention to detail transforms a meal into an experience. It invites conversation. It connects guests to ingredients. It creates moments that linger long after the final course.
Private Chef Experience
Choosing a private chef at Villa Gioiella means:
• Seasonal menus tailored to your group with dietary requirements
• Local ingredients sourced thoughtfully
• A relaxed, intimate atmosphere
• Insight into Umbrian and Tuscan culinary traditions
• The freedom to savour the evening without leaving the villa – waiting staff and clean up included
Slow luxury. Unhurried. Authentic. Memorable.
Bookings are according to availability and must be made in advance, so please register your interest early.
Read more about Chef Jimmy HERE
Italian Cooking Classes
There is something deeply satisfying about preparing a meal from scratch using recipes that have been passed down through generations. Chef Jimmy’s cooking classes offer a chance to step into an authentic Italian kitchen, learn traditional techniques and discover the simple ingredients that make Umbrian and Tuscan cooking so memorable.
Whether you’re shaping fresh pasta by hand, stirring a slow-simmering ragù, or mastering the perfect tiramisù, the experience is relaxed, hands-on and tailored to your group. Along the way, Jimmy shares stories, local tips and the little secrets that never make it into a recipe book.
The best part comes at the end. After cooking together, you’ll gather around the table to enjoy the meal you’ve created, paired with local wines and good conversation. It’s an experience that often becomes one of the highlights of a stay at Villa Gioiella.
Included in the Experience
Hands-on Italian cooking class
Fresh, seasonal local ingredients
Recipes to take home
Enjoy the meal together afterwards
Suitable for couples, families and groups
How to Book
WhatsApp +39 389 637 8946
Email fedejimmy9@gmail.com
Or contact us for more details
