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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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