Florence: Tuscan Cooking Class with Fire, Wine & Dinner

Summary

Learn to cook Tuscan classics over fire with local wine pairings

You’ll roll up your sleeves for a hands-on Tuscan cooking class just outside Florence, learning pasta secrets from locals by an open fire. Savor bites of grilled steak and homemade desserts paired with regional wines as dusk settles over the countryside. Expect laughter, good food, and memories that linger longer than the taste of Chianti.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to smell woodsmoke before I even saw the kitchen. We’d just rolled out of Florence — not far, maybe half an hour? — and already the air felt different: softer, with that grassy-sweet thing you get in the Tuscan hills. Our guide, Marco, was waiting by this old stone house. He grinned and handed us tiny glasses of something sparkling (I forgot the name — it was cold and tasted like apples) while we all tried to remember each other’s names.

The “kitchen” turned out to be half outside, half inside, which made sense once I saw the fire pit. There was a home cook named Lucia who barely spoke English but somehow made everyone laugh anyway — she kept waving her hands and saying “pici!” until we finally got it right. Making pasta from scratch is messier than I thought; flour everywhere, sticky fingers, but honestly kind of meditative after a while. The main keyword here is patience (and maybe a little humility). Marco poured us Chianti as we worked — he said it helps the dough relax. Not sure if that’s true but it helped me relax.

Later, when Lucia started grilling bistecca alla fiorentina over open flames, the smell changed again — richer, smokier. She let me try flipping one steak (not my finest moment), and Li laughed when I tried to say “bistecca” in Italian. We ate everything at this long wooden table outside: pasta, steak, some kind of almond dessert that crumbled in your mouth. The sun dipped behind olive trees and someone put on music from their phone — nothing fancy but it fit.

I still think about that first bite of handmade pici tangled up with wild herbs and olive oil. It wasn’t perfect but it tasted like effort and laughter and a little bit of smoke clinging to my shirt for hours after. If you’re looking for a day trip from Florence that feels real (and includes dinner with wine), this Tuscan cooking class is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tuscan cooking class and wine tasting

• Meet home cook in countryside
• Begin with a delightful aperitif
• Learn to make handmade pasta
• Cook bistecca alla fiorentina
• Prepare traditional Tuscan desserts
• Enjoy curated wine pairings

Top questions

How long does the Tuscan cooking class near Florence last?

The total duration includes transport time; exact hours may vary depending on group size and traffic.

Is transportation included for this day trip from Florence?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your experience.

Are vegetarian options available during the cooking class?

This isn’t specified; contact the provider directly for dietary needs.

Is wine included during the Tuscany cooking experience?

Yes, local wines are served throughout dinner and during cooking.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes; prams/strollers are welcome and infant seats are available.

What if it rains during the outdoor cooking class?

If it rains, you’ll use an indoor kitchen instead of outdoors.

How many people join each group for this experience?

The group size never exceeds 10 participants per session.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Florence by air-conditioned vehicle, all ingredients for hands-on cooking (with help from a local guide), tastings of local products plus coffee and snacks along the way, then a full dinner with water and regional wines — dessert too before heading back into town.