Tuscan Cooking Class with Live Opera & Wine Dinner

You cook the pasta, the opera singer arrives at dinner.

A hands-on cooking class in the Tuscan countryside at a historic villa where you prepare a full traditional Italian menu (homemade pasta, bruschette, a main course and dessert), then sit down to eat it alongside a live opera performance and local wine. The class runs about three and a half hours, includes vineyard and garden access to pick seasonal vegetables, and covers all ingredients, kitchen tools, wine and coffee. A guide leads in English or Italian, and pickup from Florence is available on request.

The experience

The kitchen sits in a restored barn on the property, built into what was once the villa's old stone trough. You start with a tour of the vineyard and vegetable garden (weather and season permitting) to gather fresh herbs and seasonal produce for the meal you're about to cook. The guide walks you through how the family makes their wine and extra-virgin olive oil, then you taste the oil before moving to the kitchen. Everyone prepares their own dishes using the recipes of Lulu's Grandmother, working through a menu that typically includes eggplant parmigiana or chicken hunter, a spread of traditional bruschette, fresh pasta made by hand, and homemade panna cotta or another dessert.

Once the cooking is done, you wash up, sit down to the table with the food you've made, and a live opera singer performs while you eat. Wine from the villa's vineyard flows throughout the meal. The whole experience (garden walk, cooking, dinner and performance) takes about three and a half hours. Transfers from Florence can be arranged if you contact the villa at least 48 hours ahead. There's an extra charge for this service.

What’s included

• Cooking class with all ingredients and kitchen tools.
• homemade pasta, bruschetta, main course and dessert prepared by you.
• vineyard and garden tour with seasonal produce picking.
• tasting of the villa's extra-virgin olive oil.
• full dinner with wine from the property.
• live opera performance during the meal.
• Italian coffee.
• non-alcoholic beverages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Opera in The Kitchen

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Italian, so choose based on which language you're comfortable following for three and a half hours in the kitchen. Families with infants can bring a pram or use a specialized infant seat, though the hands-on cooking and live performance work best for guests old enough to participate or sit through the meal.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What if I'm vegetarian or have dietary restrictions?

The menu includes eggplant parmigiana as an option alongside the chicken dish, and the class is hands-on, so you can work with the guide on adjustments to suit your needs.

Do I need cooking experience to join?

No. This is a hands-on class where everyone prepares their own meal, and the guide walks you through the traditional recipes step by step.

Is the fresh produce from the garden guaranteed?

The garden pick is seasonal and not guaranteed from November through April, depending on what's growing at that time of year.

How far is this from Florence?

The villa is about 25 minutes from Florence. Pickup from the city can be arranged with 48 hours' notice for an additional fee.