Florence: Tuscan Cooking Class & Dinner with Local Chef

Summary

Florence flavors come alive as you cook side by side with locals and share a homemade Tuscan dinner

You’ll join a small group in Florence for a hands-on Tuscan cooking class led by a local chef, making classic dishes like truffle risotto and chocolate cake. Share stories while preparing dinner together, then sit down for a relaxed meal with wine in good company. It’s not just about recipes — it’s about laughter, new friends, and real flavors you’ll remember.

What’s the experience like?

Li, our chef for the evening, greeted us with a grin that made me forget how nervous I was about handling raw beef in front of strangers. She handed me an apron (mine was slightly too big, but I made it work) and pointed out the fresh zucchini stacked on the counter. “We start simple,” she said, showing us how to slice it thin for millefoglie. The kitchen windows were cracked open — you could hear mopeds outside and smell something garlicky from another room. Someone’s phone buzzed and nobody cared.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much during a cooking class in Florence. Our group was mixed — two sisters from Lyon, a couple from Berlin, me solo — but Li had us all rolling dough and teasing each other’s risotto technique within minutes. When I tried to pronounce “polpettone” properly, Li laughed and corrected me gently (I probably butchered it). There was flour everywhere by the time we got to the meatloaf in crust. My hands smelled like truffle and olive oil for hours after.

Dinner felt more like a family meal than anything formal. We sat at one long table with our own dishes lined up — the chocolate cake came last, still warm. The wine wasn’t fancy but tasted perfect after all that stirring and chopping. Someone asked Li about her favorite Tuscan dish growing up; she shrugged and said, “Whatever my grandmother cooked.” I still think about that view out the window as dusk fell over Florence — not dramatic or anything, just honest and golden.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tuscan cooking class and dinner

• Attend group cooking class in Florence
• Learn to prepare four-course Tuscan meal
• Cook starter: Zucchini millefoglie
• Cook main dishes: Truffle risotto and meatloaf
• Cook dessert: Chocolate cake
• Enjoy dinner with prepared dishes
• Drink Tuscan wine during dinner

Top questions

What dishes do you make in the Tuscan cooking class?

You’ll prepare zucchini millefoglie, truffle risotto, meatloaf in crust (beef), and chocolate cake.

Is dinner included after the Florence cooking class?

Yes, you eat what you cook during a group dinner with drinks included.

How many people are in each group?

The class is divided into groups of up to 15 people per professional chef.

Is there hotel pickup for this activity?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the designated point in Florence city center.

Can children join the cooking class?

The class is not available for kids under 10 years old.

Are recipes provided to take home?

Yes, you receive a recipe booklet at the end of your class.

Is the cooking class suitable for vegetarians or those with allergies?

Please inform them in advance of any food intolerances or allergies; severe celiacs may not attend due to possible contamination.

Who teaches the Florence cooking class?

The course is led by expert local chefs assisted by their team.

What’s included

Your evening includes hands-on instruction from a professional chef in central Florence, all ingredients for your four-course Tuscan meal, dinner with drinks shared among your group afterward, plus a recipe booklet to take home so you can try everything again later.