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Tuscan Cooking Class: Private Culinary Experience
5.0
151 Ratings
Firenze
Join Maria for a private Florence market tour and Tuscan cooking class. Learn, cook, and dine with a local Italian family. Book now!
Join Maria for a private Florence market tour and Tuscan cooking class. Learn, cook, and dine with a local Italian family. Book now!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Forno Sale Grosso - Seeking an authentic cooking class in Florence ideal for honeymooners or families? Join Maria, a recently retired architect and enthusiastic Italian home cook, for a private culinary adventure in her beautiful countryside residence. Maria will pick you up from central Florence and share fascinating stories about the city’s…
- Forno Sale Grosso - Seeking an authentic cooking class in Florence ideal for honeymooners or families? Join Maria, a recently retired architect and enthusiastic Italian home cook, for a private culinary adventure in her beautiful countryside residence. Maria will pick you up from central Florence and share fascinating stories about the city’s history during the brief drive. In her kitchen, you’ll learn her grandmother’s traditional recipes — from handmade pasta and bruschetta to tiramisu — all of which can be tailored for vegetarian diets. If desired, include a market tour where Maria will guide you through San Lorenzo Market to choose fresh, seasonal produce and discover how Italians cook with local ingredients. Conclude your experience with a delightful meal and Italian wine, enjoying the breathtaking Tuscan hills, authentic flavors, engaging conversation, and laughter. For a gluten-free experience, make sure to book Maria’s special “Private Gluten-Free Pasta Cooking Class in Florence.”
What's Included
- Round-trip transport from a central meeting location in Florence (for up to 6 guests)
- Private cooking class and meal with your host Maria
- Alcoholic beverages
- Round-trip transport from a central meeting location in Florence (for up to 6 guests)
- Private cooking class and meal with your host Maria
- Alcoholic beverages
Meal Options
- Bruschetta -
- Spinach and cheese stuffed ravioli or tagliatelle - Handmade stuffed pasta or cut pasta in a sauce of your choice
- Tiramisu
- Local Italian wine
- Bruschetta -
- Spinach and cheese stuffed ravioli or tagliatelle - Handmade stuffed pasta or cut pasta in a sauce of your choice
- Tiramisu
- Local Italian wine
Additional Information
This is a special chance to participate in a private and engaging Tuscan cooking class in a charming Florence residence with a delightful retired Italian couple. It’s an ideal experience for those eager to connect with local culture through cuisine. The hands-on cooking class is held in a local home kitchen where Maria guides you in preparing 2-3…
This is a special chance to participate in a private and engaging Tuscan cooking class in a charming Florence residence with a delightful retired Italian couple. It’s an ideal experience for those eager to connect with local culture through cuisine. The hands-on cooking class is held in a local home kitchen where Maria guides you in preparing 2-3 traditional Tuscan dishes. You’ll acquire traditional Italian cooking techniques that can be easily recreated at home. After cooking, savor your meal with this wonderful Italian family. If you opt for a market tour, Maria will lead you on a guided exploration of San Lorenzo market, Florence’s historic food market, perfect for culinary enthusiasts. This experience includes round-trip transportation (for up to 6 guests) in Maria’s car from downtown Florence to her beautifully designed countryside home. During the drive, Maria shares captivating stories about the city. Vegetarians and guests with dietary preferences are warmly welcomed!
- Menu may vary depending on the season
- For your pasta, Maria offers a choice of sauces: Ragu, broccoli pesto, arrabbiata or butter and sage with parmesan cream. If you have a specific preference, please inform her when making your booking.
- If you are a group of 7 or more guests, Maria kindly requests that any guests beyond the first four arrange their own transportation to her home, as she can only accommodate up to 6 passengers in her car.
- Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.
- This experience is not suited for gluten-free diets. If you are interested in a gluten-free experience, be sure to book Maria’s dedicated “Gluten-Free Pasta Class in a Gorgeous Florence Home”.
- Please note that markets are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
- This home has a cat.
Location
Forno Sale Grosso
Via della Mattonaia
Meet your host Maria at the entrance to Forno Sale Grosso in the Florence city center. She will pick you up in her car and drive you to the market if you choose the tour + class option or drive you to her beautiful countryside home, 15 minutes away if you choose the class only option.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(151 Ratings)
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514grettaw
Jun 5, 2026
Wonderful Cooking Experience - Our cooking class in the hills of Florence was a highlight of our trip. Maria Christina was incredibly welcoming, kind, and patient, making the experience feel relaxed and enjoyable.
She taught us how to make fresh gluten-free pasta, homemade sauce, beef filet, and tiramisu, guiding us every step of the way. Everything was delicious, but what made it truly special was her warmth and passion for teaching.
An authentic and unforgettable experience—I highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ginamn7441bl
May 24, 2026
More Than a Cooking Class — A Memory We’ll Never Forget - My husband and I traveled to Italy to celebrate my 40th birthday, and the day we spent cooking with Maria was actually on my birthday. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect way to celebrate it.
From the moment I met Maria, I instantly knew it was going to be a wonderful evening. She picked us up and drove us through the beautiful hills of Tuscany to her gorgeous countryside home, which felt like something out of a dream.
During the class, we learned how to make fresh pasta, a delicious sauce, tiramisu, bruschetta, fried zucchini flowers (my favorite — and she even stopped on the way to her home to pick some up for me!), and more. Everything was absolutely delicious, but what made the experience truly special was Maria herself.
She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and so welcoming. She made us feel completely comfortable from the start and kept such great conversation throughout the evening. She even bought a bottle of sparkling wine to help celebrate my birthday, which was such a thoughtful touch.
This was honestly one of the highlights of our trip and such a memorable experience. Thank you, Maria, for hosting us and sharing your home, your cooking, and your kindness with us. I truly hope that someday I’ll return to Italy and have the pleasure of cooking with you again!
Gina
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancop
May 23, 2026
Fantastic Cooking Class - Marie was amazing. She welcomed us into her beautiful country home with open arms. The cooking class was so informative and the food delicious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gigilotravel
May 19, 2026
Amazing and delicious - This was an absolute amazing experience. Maria was the nicest and best teacher and her home is beautiful. We made so much delicious food and seemed so easy. She provided tips, tricks and tools that we used and we got to enjoy eating it all with Maria out on her patio. It was such a great day.
We started at the Market and that was the biggest market with all kinds of food, oils, grains, cheese etc. everything you could think of!
The whole day was a highlight of our Florence trip for sure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dionne_t
May 18, 2026
If I could, I would give Maria a cape & a crown - We had an incredible time learning to cook with Maria just outside the heart of Florence in the countryside. We met Maria at the market, and we picked up a few tips from her, as well as items for our meal. She then drove up to her home, which was built in the 1200s. It was an unforgettable afternoon, making authentic dishes in her beautiful kitchen and sitting outside on her terrace to eat our delicious meal. There is no doubt that when we come back to Florence, we will do it again, just to hang with her!
Review provided by Viator
Chris_b
May 15, 2026
Authentic Cooking Experience - Skip the large pasta making/cooking classes in the city and join Cristina for this wonderful experience. This was one of the most authentic activities we have participated in during our trip. Cristina takes you to the “locals” market instead of the larger one for tourists. She takes great care to choose produce in season while also considering the guests’ preferences. Her home is beautiful and cozy in the countryside. She is a wonderful host and very knowledgable.
Review provided by Viator
Markkd3081yp
May 14, 2026
Tuscan cooking with Maria - I highly recommend this tour for a unique opportunity to experience Florence and their daily lives where you feel part of the family and not just a tourist. We strolled through the market and Maria explained about all their fruits, vegetables and meats describing the best food for their Italian dishes. Before departing to her home we enjoyed the best cappuccino we have had on our trip. The drive to her home took us into the beautiful countryside and almost back in time to see her unique villa that she personally renovated. There she teaches you about Tuscan cuisine and you can cook alongside her or just enjoy the experience and marvelous food. Maria is a superb hostess and this tour is truly unique in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q2804sskristinem
May 13, 2026
Amazing Florence Cooking Experience - Myself and my two best friends of 50 years went on this excursion. Maria’s home is beautiful. We made fresh ravioli with fresh sheep ricotta and lemon zest, chicken with prosciutto and cheese. We made tiramisu for dessert. I would highly recommend this excursion. She provided us with each recipe. We drank the most delicious white and red wines. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and it is not to be missed? Ciao!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hannahsf7418rv
May 11, 2026
Authentic Tuscan cuisine in the Italian countryside - Cooking with Maria is exactly as described! What a delightful day in the Italian countryside. We started off in the local market where Maria guided us around as she shopped for the produce for our menu. It all happened in real time. She said they had zucchini flowers and asked if we were interested in frying some up and of course we were! That was on my bucket list to try so it was a big YES from us.
We browsed the market and met people. We went to the spice counter, tried lots of different things and bought what we were interested in (I got olive oil, a lemon extract for salads and some perfume made in Italy). We then shopped at the meat booth and cheese booth. The cheese vendor let us try several different cheeses. They were amazing. There was a truffle cheese that was out of this world.
We headed out the market and loaded into Maria’s car. It was me, my dad, and another couple who we got to be friends with. Maria only takes 4 people max so it’s an intimate fun setting. Maria was very accommodating. My dad sometimes needs a wheelchair and we were able to bring it with us in the car.
The drive out to her house was beautiful. She gave us a tour of her home. We cooked, we ate, drank coffee, drank wine, made pasta, made tiramisu. She accommodated the other guest as well who was gluten free.
We made so many dishes. We set the table and then all shared dinner together.
The cooking class with the market is as advertised. We started at 10am and we were dropped off at 5pm. She was a wonderful host and made our Italy trip very memorable. She also emailed all the recipes afterwards. I would highly recommend this experience if you are looking for authenticity, intimacy, Italian countryside, and a relaxed cooking environment. Thank you Maria!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariaez7776hu
May 3, 2026
Charming and delicious - We had the best time with Maria as we got to experience the market, a beautiful drive out of Florence, her stunning home in the country and delicious food she taught us to make. She gave us options while at the market and what we made was nothing short of delicious and filled with love! Eating our lunch on her terrace allowed us to soak in all the beauty and charm. We can’t recommend this experience more highly! Maria is a gem!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
