Tour Details
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
- Sant'Ambrogio Market
Photos & Highlights
- Step into a private Florentine home, a rare privilege, and cook alongside a local chef in their warm and inviting kitchen.
- Discover the stories behind Florentine food traditions and gain a deeper appreciation for the city's culinary heritage.
Select a date
Tour Description
Led by a local chef, prepare to weave through colorful stalls, inhaling the earthy aroma of fresh Tuscan herbs and feeling the weight of plump, seasonal produce in your hand. With our unique market-to-table cooking class, you can let your senses be your guide as you navigate the bustling Sant'Ambrogio market with an expert.
After selecting the best produce from the market, we’ll whisk you away to your chef’s charming Florentine home, unlocking an exclusive experience you won’t find anywhere else.Â
Under their culinary guidance, you'll roll your sleeves up and learn the secrets to Florentine cooking, perhaps feeling the satisfying spring of fresh pasta dough beneath your fingertips or crafting a rich, complex traditional stew.Â
As you cook, your chef will share stories passed down through generations, weaving history, culture, and passion into every step. The reward? A communal table laden with the mouthwatering textures and flavors of your hard work. Now you now have the knowledge and insider tips to recreate these culinary delights back home!
This isn't just a generic cooking class; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of Florentine cuisine, from market to masterpiece.Â
Meet Your Expert
Florence native Patrizia has a degree in Italian Literature from the University of Florence. She is a wine and food journalist and has published works on Whisky, Champagne, Spumante, and Vinsanto. Patrizia has taught cooking classes since 2011 and published her first Italian Cookbook in 2016 "100 Recipes from Tuscany and Emilia Romagna".
- You’re ready to roll up your sleeves and learn how to cook like a local Florentine
- A pre-planned menu and market experience sounds so boring. Here, you choose your own adventure, with the guidance of a local chef
- You’re a fan of unique, authentic experiences over check-the-box tours. Here, you'll step into a charming Florentine home to gain rare insight into the authentic Italian lifestyle through the eyes of a chef.Â
- Sant'Ambrogio Market – vibrant outdoor market
- Local chef's private home kitchen
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What You’ll Taste
- The best in-season herbs and produce
- Dishes previous guests have made:Â
- Hand-rolled pasta or gnocchi
- Hearty Florentine stew
- Locally cured meats and Italian cheeses
- Crostini neri
- Piselli alla Fiorentina
- Fagiuoli all’uccelletto
- Cantuccini
- This experience does replace a meal. You will leave with a full belly, and a full heart!
- Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to adapt the dishes you’ll be making.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- Things that pair well with this tour:Â
- An empty belly and a comfy outfit for exploring the market.Â
- Get to know the city further with our Introduction to Florence Audio Guide
- A fully charged phone - you’ll want to snap plenty of photos of this unique experience!
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Please contact us for alternative food tour experiences in Florence if you or any person in your group has mobility concerns.Â
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
- Sant'Ambrogio Market is wheelchair accessible, however, the chef's home is on the second floor and there is no elevator.
Service Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed if you have a medical certificate proving the need.Â
How long does this tour last?
This is a half-day experience. Begin at 9 or 10 am, and end in the early afternoon. You’ll finish with an enjoyable lunch at the home of your local chef.Â
What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions?
Please specify any food allergies or intolerances in the "additional details" section of the order. The menu can be adjusted according to your preferences. We are happy to work around dietary restrictions provided we are notified in advance.
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Can I bring a big group of people with me for this cooking experience?
Can I bring a big group of people with me for this cooking experience?
No, the maximum number of cooks we can accommodate at once is 4. Please contact us to discuss other food and wine options in Florence for groups larger than 4 participants.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
25 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
This experience was delightful. Getting to plan a meal while exploring what was in season as we strolled through the marketplace was exciting and pushed our creative collaboration. It was terrific to be out of a "watch and listen" learning experience (which are also great) and, instead, be fully immersed in making the meal happen. Patrizia is a patient and delightful guide and coach. It was a memorable day that was a highlight of our trip.
Ouida
Apr. 1, 2024
Patrizia showed us a wonderful time. This was the third cooking lesson during our nine days in Italy. Thoroughly enjoyed going to the market with her and buying all of the items included in our meals. I would highly recommend Patrizia.
Carlos
Mar. 15, 2024
We had a wonderful experience with our lovely local chef Patrizia. Shopping in the market and meeting the local farmers and vendors was wonderful- this was almost my favorite part. Little did we know we would be cooking a full meal with Patrizia right out of her home. We learned about classic Florentine recipes, the techniques for making wonderful homemade pasta, and we got to enjoy our lunch together with Patrizia as well- my favorite part. I would recommend this tour to anybody looking to learn more about local Italian cooking.
Angela
Nov. 8, 2023
