A breath-taking setting in a state-of-the-art kitchen on a Tuscan estate.
A guided tour of the Mercato Centrale (Florence’s biggest food market) complete with tastings
A hands-on experience learning to make a four-course lunch
Enjoying your freshly-cooked meal with wine after the class
Our tour stands out from other cooking classes in Tuscany as it enables you to create your meal from start to finish – and that includes buying the ingredients. We will meet at the front of Santa Maria Novella train station and take you to Florence's historical market where the locals do their daily shopping. You will have the chance to meet the bakers, the butchers and the farmers who are selling vegetables from their fields. Their stalls are full of items such as fresh fruit, veg, cheeses, cured meats, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and many other Italian specialities. As you shop for the ingredients you will be using later on that day, you will also learn how to choose the best seasonal products (and, of course, have a taste or two).
When the market is closed on Sundays and public holidays, in season you can instead pick the fresh ingredients from the vegetable garden at our country estate
Once we’ve finished shopping we will head to the Walkabout Florence kitchen, located amidst the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside on a private estate, to begin the lesson. This isn't just a demonstration – we believe cooking classes in Tuscany aren’t complete unless you roll up your sleeves and become an active participant. With some help from our chef, you will actually take part in creating a full traditional Tuscan meal. You will learn to make real Italian fresh pasta by hand (with ingredients such as freshly-laid eggs), a meat sauce using vegetables from right outside the door and a bruschetta with fresh bread, home-grown tomatoes and the farmhouse's own extra virgin olive oil. After this, it’s time to take a break as you enjoy the bruschetta with a glass of Chianti wine.
Next you will learn how to prepare traditional Tuscan roast pork and potatoes using fresh herbs collected from around the farmhouse. As a final treat, you will learn to create the creamy, coffee-flavoured dessert that is a favourite among so many cooking classes in Tuscany: Tiramisu.
It’s now time to taste the fruits of your labours as you and the rest of the group sit down to enjoy the wonderful meal you created together. The lunch will be accompanied with a wine from the region to compliment the flavours of the food you have prepared. At the end of your dinner, a driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Florence. You’ll leave with a belly full of food and a head full of memories that will last a lifetime.
At the end of the meal it is possible to buy cookery accessories, cook books, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and the Chianti Classico wine used during the class!
Frequently Asked Questions
Walkabout Florence is a small, independent business. We are passionate about the tours we have carefully handcrafted and the customers who book them. Whether you’re interested in cooking classes in Tuscany or fun things to do in Florence, we’re here to help you make your next Italian holiday the one you’ve always wanted.
Easy instant secure booking
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Mobile ticket accepted
A guided tour of a traditional food market
Transportation from Florence to the country estate and back
A cooking lesson
Lunch, complete with wine
Recipes
An Italian cooking diploma for your hard work!
We can offer our Cooking Class as a private class in a small farmhouse and you can choose which typical Italian dishes to cook.
To find out more about possible combinations and prices please call us on
+39 055 2645746
or if you prefer you can email us at
info@walkaboutflorence.com
or just fill the contact form below