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After relocating to Italy from her native state of California in 1978, Cindy spent the first 12 years of her Tuscan life living in a three hundred year old, renovated farmhouse in the Chianti region of Tuscany between Florence and Siena. Together with her husband, Alessandro, the two purchased, and later restored, an ancient dwelling in a quaint medieval hamlet near the farmhouse. Although simply eight square meters (about 800 square feet), the renovation took nearly two years. The final outcome: an enchanting rooftop apartment with 360° views over the magical Tuscan countryside.
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During those years of country life, Cindy had ample time to mingle with the villaglocals. Infact, many of the country woman and those residing in the hamlet were quick to see this young American's interest in their cuisine and culture. Before long they had taken Cindy under their wings. This sharing of stories, recipes and family cooking secrets Cindy held close to heart. Coming from an Italian background herself (her mother's parents were from Caserta, Italy, she was keen to learn as much as she could from the mothers and grandmothers of Tuscany. Those daily jaunts to the baker, butcher and vegetable market with newfound friends turned into priceless lessons in the art of Tuscan cooking, lessons Cindy shares in a book recently written by her:Tuscan Life - Food Tales & Recipes. The book can be found on www.lulu.com/product/paperback/tuscan-life---food-tales-recipes/15990424 in paperback as well as ebook format.
But cooking wasn't her only passion those first years of Tuscan life. Her love of the arts and architecture also lead her to explore an array of countless treasures hidden in and around her newly adopted region. Her desire to 'show and tell' the world about 'her' Tuscany lead to the creation of THC (The Tuscan Holiday Club s.a.s. in 1982).
Catering to a primarily North American clientele, Cindy, together with her Florentine business partner not only placed clients in vacation rentals, they organized Tuscan cooking courses, catered theme dinners and daily excursions.
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They were indeed pioneers in opening the doors of Tuscany in the early 80s. For mingling with the locals while feeling a part of it all was no longer a dream to their clientele, it was the everyday reality of Tuscan Life.
Then, in 1988 two important changes came about in Cindy's life. The birth of her second son and the relocating of her Florentine business partner to Paris. Forced to weigh her choices while knowing that full dedication is the key to any company's success, Cindy was left with little options. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle a company and family, two full time positions. So, she opted to put the company on hold while raising her two sons. That's when
THC s. a. s. quietly disappeared into the Tuscan sunset. But retreating back to her farmhouse to be a full time American/Italian mom didn't mean that Cindy had neglected to pack up that wealth of knowledge and contacts.
Now, more than twenty years later, with her boys grown, Cindy has renewed her dedication to Tuscany, a region she loves. Although on a much smaller and more exclusive scale, she has picked up where she left off. Though no longer a placement agency, but more like a friend in Tuscany, Cindy enjoys sharing her knowledge of the region, its food and its hidden treasures with all those who seek her out. So, if you are one of those people who enjoys getting off the beaten track with a desire to stuff a few enchanting memories of Tuscan life in your suitcase alongside souvenirs, then come knock on Cindy's door. For mingling with the locals and dabbling in Tuscan cuisine is a given.
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