Meet
Maria
Maria is an architect who has specialized in bio-architecture and restoration. She is now retired and has dedicated her time to enjoying her passion for painting and cooking. She learned to cook at a young age when living in Sardinia, where it is tradition to hand-down family recipes from one generation to the next. Maria’s mother was an exceptional cook, and it is from her that she learned to cook traditional Italian food. She is not only passionate about cooking, but also enjoys hosting as well. Maria looks forward to meeting people from all over the world, hosting them in her country house and cooking her favorite recipes together. When asked why she would like to be a Traveling Spoon host, this is what Maria had to say, “I love to cook and I love people. I would really like to share my recipes and spend time together with the guest in my country house – cooking and sharing good food”.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(2-8 guests)
Join Maria and her husband in their beautiful Tuscan countryside farmhouse to share stories and enjoy a traditional meal cooked using family recipes. You can expect to share a home-cooked Italian meal using Maria's grandmother’s recipes. A few traditional Tuscan dishes that you might be served are bruschetta with tomatoes and basil or black cabbage and ravioli with ricotta and spinach or tagliatelle with ragu or broccoli pesto or arrabbiata. End your meal with a dessert such as tiramisu or ice cream with cake. Two glasses of local wine (included) will be served with your traditional Tuscan meal.
Cooking experience:
(2-8 guests)
Join Maria, a warm and passionate home cook and retired architect, for an unforgettable private cooking experience just 20 minutes north of Florence. Your day begins with a scenic drive (included for groups of 2 - 6) from a central Florence meeting point to Maria’s stunning 12th-century countryside home, where your immersive Italian culinary journey begins. This hands-on Florence cooking class is an authentic, local experience where you’ll cook and dine in a real Tuscan home. Learn to prepare traditional Italian dishes from scratch using seasonal ingredients, including handmade pasta (like tagliatelle or ravioli), bruschetta, and a classic dessert such as tiramisu. All the recipes are handed down from Maria’s grandmother, and Maria shares stories, tips, and personal touches that make the experience feel like you're cooking with family. After the class, sit down with Maria to enjoy the dishes you’ve prepared together, accompanied by two glasses of Italian wine. Perfect for honeymooning couples, families or groups of friends, this authentic experience offers an inside look at Florentine history, culture, and cuisine through the eyes of a local.
Note for groups of 7 or more: Complimentary transportation is not included - please arrange your own transport to Maria’s countryside home, a 20-minute drive from central Florence.
Market visit:
(2-8 guests)
Begin your immersive culinary journey in Florence with a guided walking tour of the vibrant San Lorenzo Market - a must-visit destination for food lovers. Meet your host, Maria, at a central Florence location and follow her through the bustling market as she introduces you to her favorite local vendors. Stroll past colorful stalls overflowing with seasonal fruits, vegetables, fresh meats, cheeses, olive oils, and regional specialties. Along the way, Maria shares fascinating insights into Tuscan ingredients and their role in traditional Italian cooking. You’ll also pick up expert tips on how to choose the best produce, knowledge passed down through generations in Maria’s family. Market tours are not available on Sundays as the markets are closed.
After the market tour, Maria drives you 20 minutes north to her beautiful 12th-century countryside home, where your private, hands-on Florence cooking class begins. Please note that markets are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Notes:
1. Maria can accommodate lactose-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets upon request. Please inform her of any dietary restrictions or allergies when booking your Florence cooking class online. For a gluten-free experience, be sure to book her dedicated Gluten-Free Pasta Class on our website.
2. Round-trip transfers from the Florence city (Forno Sale Grosso) are included only for guests 6 or fewer as Maria's car can only accommodate a max of 6. Please include your WhatsApp number or local contact number in your booking so that it is easy to communicate, in case of traffic or other delays. For guests 7+ please make your own way to Maria's home and back or if you'd like Maria to organizer round-trip transfers for additional guests for $100, please email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com
3. Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.
4. This home has a cat.
Languages spoken:
English
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
The most amazing experience!!! It was a dream, we felt like adopted family. Maria is
AMAZING don’t think twice book it now!!!
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faith
March 12, 2026
A beautiful culinary experience one-on-one with Maria in her heavenly mountain home. Simply a paradise. Great recipes. Lots of learning. Fresh pasta, tasty and unique bruschetta and we still can't believe we created a tiramisu that was a delight. If you want a close-up trip through a lively Florence market and a cooking class you'll talk about for a long time complete with recipes and links to products, this foodie experience is for you. The fee was fair. The length of the visit was just right and we could have stayed longer. the class size was just me and my wife. and this is a class that will help one be even smarter in the kitchen. Thank you, Maria!!!
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allen
March 11, 2026
My wife and I loved this experience! Maria is a gem and her home, which she restored (she's a retired architect), is gorgeous. We learned so much from her about Italian cooking and culture. Shopping at the market to select ingredients was so much fun. It was an absolute highlight of our trip, and I can't wait to recreate some of her delicious recipes.
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derek
March 10, 2026
Christina (Maria) was the most gracious host we could have asked for. This tour was everything and much more than we expected. What an amazing day it was, learning about Florence and the surrounding countryside. The drive into the country was beautiful, as was her home. We learned and cooked several wonderful authentic recipes. The meal was delicious and we look forward to replicating the recipes and techniques at home (she provided us with her recipes and links to her cooking equipmemt). The morning trip to the local market was a fabulous addition to learn about the culture and the Florentine specialties. We learned where to buy fresh produce, and preferred meat and cheeses. We were also able to taste and buy some delicious parmegiano cheese that they vacuum packed for us to bring home. Christina was a wonderful hostess and made this day spectacular. Anyone interested in the local culture and cooking should take this tour. It was a special day for our family that will be remembered forever.
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brent
March 01, 2026
Our cooking class with Maria was hands down one of the highlights of our time in Florence.
First of all, I do not cook. At all. And somehow, under Maria’s guidance, I made the most delicious pasta dish I’ve ever had in my life. I’m still thinking about it. Even more shocking? I don’t like kale… and her kale bruschetta absolutely blew my mind. I would order it in a restaurant tomorrow.
The experience was so much more than just cooking. Maria began with a market tour where we learned about local ingredients, food traditions, and even how to properly order and enjoy caffè like a Florentine. It was such a cool cultural deep dive and made us feel like we were seeing a side of Florence beyond the typical tourist experience.
Then we went to her home in the countryside, and it was pure perfection. She’s an architect by trade and rebuilt the home herself. It’s stunning, thoughtful, and full of character. You can feel the creativity in every detail. Even though we didn’t meet her husband, we loved hearing that he’s a jazz enthusiast. It just added to the charm and personality of the whole experience.
Getting out of the busy heart of Florence and into the countryside for an afternoon of cooking, learning, and connecting was unforgettable. Maria is warm, knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly talented. If you’re visiting Florence, this is an absolute must!
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jessica
February 25, 2026
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