Born in a small town near Frankfurt Germany Ulrike Katharina Eder has always been an eager traveler. But when some 20 years ago she had her first glimpse of the haze covered landscape of Tuscany's heartland Chianti Classico she knew where she wanted to live. Her dream finally came true in 1997 when she laid eyes on the small "borgo" - Poderi Val Verde and decided to throw everything overboard and start all over again in independence creating this small hideaway for lovers of nature, food and culture.

Though she always despised cooking with her mother, in her small town "the" women to ask if you wanted to feast, she had cooking in her blood. Already during cooking lessons in her high school she discovered her touch for creating tasty food just by feeling. Her teacher took some time to find out why the food of the different teams always turn out the same. Ulrike had her hand in it all! Among her friends Ulrike's talent for German and international cooking became famous. Her small cooking sessions with friends where sough after and fun. So when she transferred to Tuscany and started her rental business, guests soon insisted she'd cook for them. But then they also wanted to know how to do these dishes themselves. That's what started her small cooking studio. And since wild herbs and mushrooms have always been part of the local farmers menu she renewed her knowledge with the help of friendly old women and men.