Florence Cooking Class: Pasta, Pesto & Market Tour Included
5hDuration
EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration5 Hours
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtFlorence
LanguagesEnglish
Florence Culinary Experience
Icons of Italy: Signature Cooking Experience with Carbonara, Pesto Making, Lasagna and Sicilian Cannoli
A hands-on journey through Italy's most celebrated recipes, guided by expert chefs in the heart of Florence.
This Florence cooking class brings together four of Italy's most iconic recipes under one roof, giving participants the skills and cultural context to recreate authentic dishes long after returning home. Set over five immersive hours, the experience balances market exploration with focused kitchen instruction and a convivial shared meal.
Morning participants have the opportunity to visit Sant'Ambrogio Market, one of Florence's most historic and characterful food markets, accompanied by their chef. The market visit offers a grounded introduction to Italian ingredient culture, covering seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, and cured meats before any cooking begins.
Back in the kitchen, the class moves through four distinct recipes that represent the culinary traditions of Rome, Bologna, Liguria, and Sicily. Each dish is prepared entirely from scratch, with the chef providing step-by-step guidance, regional context, and practical techniques applicable at home.
The session concludes with a shared meal at the table, where participants enjoy the dishes they have prepared alongside a glass of Tuscan wine. The format is designed to be accessible for beginners while remaining engaging for those with prior cooking experience.
Experience Highlights
Guided visit to Sant'Ambrogio Market to select fresh, seasonal ingredients with your chef (morning departures, excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays).
Learn to prepare Fettuccine alla Carbonara from scratch using traditional Roman technique, without cream.
Master Lasagne al Ragu, one of Italy's most enduring classic dishes, built layer by layer with a rich homemade sauce.
Prepare Gnocchi with homemade Pesto, drawing on the authentic culinary traditions of Liguria.
Make Sicilian Cannoli and fill them to taste with ricotta, pistachio, chocolate, and other classic accompaniments.
Receive insider tips and regional culinary stories from an expert chef throughout the class.
Sit down to enjoy everything you have cooked, paired with a glass of fine Tuscan wine.
How the Experience Unfolds
1
Market Visit at Sant'Ambrogio (Morning Departures Only)
Meet your chef near the Sant'Ambrogio Market, one of Florence's oldest and most vibrant food markets. Alongside your instructor, you will browse stalls of seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, cured meats, and regional specialties while learning how to identify and select high-quality Italian ingredients.
2
Welcome to the Kitchen
After the market, the group moves to a welcoming cooking space where aprons go on and the hands-on session begins. Your chef introduces the recipes for the day and walks through the approach and key techniques before the first dish is started.
3
Pasta and Sauce Masterclass
Work through Fettuccine alla Carbonara and Lasagne al Ragu, learning the traditional methods behind each dish. The chef explains the regional origins and common pitfalls, guiding you through kneading, shaping, and sauce preparation step by step.
4
Gnocchi and Pesto
Turn attention to Gnocchi with homemade Pesto, blending the Ligurian tradition of fresh basil pesto with the craft of making pillowy gnocchi from scratch. This section highlights the importance of texture and balance in Italian vegetarian cooking.
5
Sicilian Cannoli
Move into the dessert portion of the class with Sicilian Cannoli, filling each shell to personal taste using ricotta, pistachio, chocolate, and other traditional ingredients. The chef shares background on the origins of this iconic pastry and how regional variations differ across Sicily.
6
Shared Table and Tuscan Wine
With all dishes complete, the group sits down together to enjoy the full meal they have prepared. A glass of Tuscan wine accompanies the food, rounding off the experience in the convivial Italian tradition of eating well and eating together.
What Is Included and What Is Not
Included
Guided market visit at Sant'Ambrogio (morning departures, excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays)
Hands-on cooking class with expert chef instruction
All ingredients and kitchen equipment
Preparation of Fettuccine alla Carbonara, Lasagne al Ragu, Gnocchi with Pesto, and Sicilian Cannoli
Shared meal of all dishes prepared during the class
Glass of Tuscan wine per participant
Apron provided for use during the class
Recipes to take home
Not Included
Market visit for afternoon departures or Sunday and Bank Holiday sessions
Additional alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages beyond what is provided
Hotel pick-up or drop-off transportation
Gratuities for the chef or staff
Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Please review the following details before booking to ensure the experience is suitable for your group and travel plans.
Duration
The full experience lasts approximately 5 hours, including the market visit for morning departures and the concluding shared meal.
Meeting Point
The experience begins near the Sant'Ambrogio Market area in Florence. Confirmed meeting point details are provided after booking.
What to Bring
Wear comfortable clothing suitable for a kitchen environment. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Inform the organizer in advance of any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms are provided at the time of booking. It is advised to review the policy carefully before confirming your reservation.
Accessibility
The cooking class environment involves standing for portions of the session. Participants with mobility considerations are encouraged to contact the organizer before booking to discuss specific needs.
Age Range
The class is suitable for adults and older children. Families with young children should confirm suitability with the organizer prior to booking.
Reserve Your Place in the Kitchen
Spaces in this hands-on Florence cooking class are limited to keep the experience personal and attentive. Secure your spot and take home skills, stories, and a genuine taste of Italian culinary tradition.
Does the market visit happen on every departure? ▼
The guided visit to Sant'Ambrogio Market is included only in morning departures and does not take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Afternoon participants proceed directly to the cooking kitchen.
Do I need prior cooking experience to join this class? ▼
No prior cooking experience is required. The class is rated as easy and the chef guides participants through every step at a comfortable pace, making it suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some kitchen background.
What dishes will I learn to make during the class? ▼
Participants prepare Fettuccine alla Carbonara, Lasagne al Ragu, Gnocchi with homemade Pesto, and Sicilian Cannoli. All four recipes are made entirely from scratch under chef guidance.
Is the meal included, and what wine is served? ▼
Yes, a shared meal of all the dishes prepared during the class is included. Each participant receives a glass of Tuscan wine to accompany the meal at the end of the session.
Can the class accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies? ▼
Participants with dietary restrictions or food allergies are advised to inform the organizer at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be discussed in advance.
Will I receive the recipes to take home after the class? ▼
Yes, participants receive the recipes prepared during the class to take home, allowing them to recreate the dishes independently after the experience.
This culinary experience is based in Florence (Firenze), the capital of the Tuscany region in central Italy. Florence is internationally recognized as a center of Renaissance art and architecture, but it is equally celebrated for its rich food culture rooted in Tuscan tradition. The experience begins at or near the Sant'Ambrogio Market, located in the Santa Croce neighborhood on the eastern side of the historic city center, one of the few remaining daily markets frequented primarily by local residents rather than tourists. The recipes covered in the class represent four distinct Italian regional traditions: Roman (Carbonara), Bolognese (Lasagne al Ragu), Ligurian (Pesto and Gnocchi), and Sicilian (Cannoli), making Florence the geographic hub for a broader culinary journey across the country. The city is well connected by rail and road to other major Italian destinations, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing millions of culturally motivated travelers each year.
Location: Florence, Tuscany, Italy | Activity Type: Cooking Class, Culinary Experience, Food Market Tour | Cuisine Focus: Italian Regional Cuisine (Roman, Ligurian, Bolognese, Sicilian) | Skill Level: Easy, Beginner-Friendly | Format: Hands-On, Small Group | Duration: 5 Hours | Includes: Market Visit (Morning), Chef Instruction, Full Meal, Tuscan Wine | Dishes: Carbonara, Lasagne al Ragu, Gnocchi with Pesto, Sicilian Cannoli | Suitable For: Adults, Foodies, Couples, Families, Solo Travelers | Season: Year-Round
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