We are looking for a fun cooking class for the family (including kids, 14 & 11). We will be staying in Florence, so need something that is easily accessible (we won't have a car). Any recos?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
388 posts
Here are a few from our Florence guidebook that may be helpful. Keep in mind also that there are websites devoted just to cooking schools. Additionally the Tourist Information offices of those cities also have lots of good information and can book things for you
Near Siena
[$$] Podere Marcampo is a newer agriturismo about 2.5 miles outside Volterra on the road to Pisa. Run by Genuino (owner of the recommended Ristorante Enoteca del Duca), his wife Ivana, and their English-speaking daughter Claudia, this peaceful spot has three well-appointed rooms and three apartments, plus a swimming pool with panoramic views. Genuino produces his award-winning Merlot on site and offers €20 wine-tastings with cheese and homemade salami. Cooking classes at their restaurant in town are also available (Db-€94, apartment-€118-195, more expensive mid-July-Aug, includes breakfast with this book, air-con, free Wi-Fi, free parking, tel. 0588-85393, Claudia’s mobile 328-174-4605, www.agriturismo-marcampo.com, [email protected]).
Near Montalcino
[$$] La Crociona, an agriturismo farm and working vineyard, rents seven fully equipped apartments. Fiorella Vannoni and Roberto and Barbara Nannetti offer cooking classes and tastes of the Brunello wine grown and bottled on the premises (Db-€95, or €65 in Oct-mid-May; Qb-€130, or €95 in Oct-mid-May; lower weekly rates, metered gas heating, laundry-€8/load, covered pool, hot tub, fitness room, La Croce 15, tel. 0577-847-133 or 0577-848-007, www.lacrociona.com, [email protected]). The farm is two miles south of Montalcino on the road to the Sant’Antimo Monastery; don’t turn off at the first entrance to the village of La Croce--wait for the second one, following directions to Tenuta Crocedimezzo e Crociona). A good restaurant is next door.
In Cortona
Tuscan Cooking School: Husband-and-wife team Romano and Agostina hold morning hands-on cooking and cheesemaking classes, as well as wine-, cheese-, and oil-tasting courses, six mornings a week in the converted cellar of a 16th-century monastery, just behind their recommended Ristorante La Bucaccia (closed Mon). In the five-hour class, you’ll prepare two antipasti, two types of pasta, an entrée, and a dessert, which you then get to eat (roughly €90/person, price includes wine, 5 percent discount if you show this book, classes start at 9:30). A three-hour version starts at 11:00 (€70/person; try to book at least a month in advance, evening and personalized classes available). They also offer Italian snack tastings with Romano’s homemade cheeses and cold meats (17:00-23:00, €15--includes a free glass of wine with this book; Via Ghibellina 17, tel. 0575-606-039, www.labucaccia.it, [email protected]).
Posted by
Castellina, FI, Italy
4 posts
Here are a couple more, both highly recommended for cooking and English skills:
Elisa Berghi http://www.greve-in-chianti.com/cookerylessonsintuscany.htm
Jacopo and Anna: http://www.greve-in-chianti.com/tuscancookinglessons.htm
Posted by
Northern Rockies, British Columbia, Canada
548 posts
We had a class with Good Tastes of Tuscany at their villa (...Villa Pandolfini, built in 1200) just outside Florence in 2008. We made several easy dishes, got to chow down after, and had a great time. It was a very pleasant experience, and the chef/teacher was careful to make sure everyone got to participate. I think there were maybe 10 or 12 in the class. It was held in a professional level kitchen but in an authentic stone and stucco style. We got to keep the cookbook and a cool apron as a souvenir. They have a pick up and drop off service, so no car, no problem.