Handmade Tuscan Pasta Making Class in Florence

Meet Cinzia

Cinzia is a warm and welcoming host whose love for cooking began in her childhood kitchen, watching her mother and grandmother prepare traditional meals. She later pursued her passion professionally at a culinary and pastry school in Italy. For Cinzia, cooking is an act of love - a way to nourish others with energy and care. She pours her heart into every dish she creates, infusing her food with meaning and tradition. A mother of three, Cinzia balances her career in analytics with her true passion for food, which she nurtures through cooking classes, hosting special dinners, and running her own cooking school. She loves connecting with travelers and sharing not only her favorite ingredients and recipes, but also a piece of her culture and history. Deeply interested in medieval and Renaissance cuisine, Cinzia brings the rich history of Florence’s food traditions to life in her experiences. As a delightful bonus, Cinzia is also a soprano in an Italian choir.

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: (4-8 guests) Cinzia will welcome you with a glass of prosecco and a Tuscan appetizer. You will then enjoy an authentic seasonal Tuscan meal at the dining table or on the patio. Your meal may include dishes such as brushette or coccoli fritti with salvio fritti or stracchino cheese for an appetizer, a pasta (flat, stuffed or gnocchi) and a main of pollo alla cacciatore or zucchini ripiene (zucchini stuffed with meat) accompanied by wine. Your meal will conclude with a seasonal dessert like tiramisu, panna cotta or cantucci con vin santo. Please note that prosecco and wine are included in the cost of your meal.

Cooking experience: (2-8 guests) Join Cinzia for an unforgettable Florence cooking class in her cozy home, where you’ll prepare traditional Tuscan dishes using cherished family recipes. Weather permitting, begin on her sunny patio by picking fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or sage from her garden. Then enjoy a seasonal appetizer prepared by Cinzia, such as coccoli fritti (crispy fried dough with stracchino or pecorino cheese) in spring or tomato-topped bruschette in summer. Next, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on Tuscan pasta class, learning to make authentic regional dishes from scratch. This three-hour cooking class and meal can be tailored to your interests. Throughout the experience, Cinzia shares techniques, tips, and stories from her culinary heritage. Finally, sit down to enjoy the delicious Tuscan meal you created together, surrounded by the warmth of Florentine hospitality.

Pasta Menu: Learn three handmade pastas, such as cut pasta (pappardelle or tagliatelle), stuffed pasta (ravioli or tortellini), and gnocchi, each paired with a sauce you’ll also prepare.
Pasta & Main Course Menu: Make one pasta dish and a meat-based main like pollo alla cacciatora (chicken cacciatore), filetto in crosta di carne (herb-stuffed pork loaf), or zucchine ripiene (meat-stuffed zucchini).
Historical Menu: Explore Renaissance-inspired recipes by preparing a historical appetizer and dessert, guided by Cinzia’s passion for Florentine culinary traditions.

Market visit: (2-6 guests) Meet your host Cinzia at the Loggia del Bigallo for a guided Florence food shopping tour through her favorite local shops. This walking tour takes you through a charming historic neighborhood, offering a glimpse of Florence's everyday food culture as you pass beautiful city landmarks. Start with a cup of coffee at one of Cinzia’s favorite cafés, then visit La Pegna, a high-end, historic grocer known for its premium pastas, spices, and specialty Italian products. Cinzia will guide you on the best brands and ingredients to buy. Stroll down Via dei Cerchi to a small, family-owned grocery store to pick up fresh produce for your cooking class. Depending on your menu and the day, you may also stop at a local wine shop, bakery, chocolate store, or cheese shop where you’ll sample cheeses from one of Cinzia’s favorite purveyors. Before heading to her home for your cooking class, enjoy a small gelato treat and walk to a nearby café while Cinzia retrieves her car from the parking lot. This unique Florence market tour lasts about one hour and covers less than 2 miles on foot. Unlike a typical single-market visit, this experience offers a curated selection of local food shops focused on high-quality Italian ingredients.

Prefer a traditional market experience? If you’d rather visit the bustling Sant'Ambrogio Market with Cinzia, she’ll meet you instead in front of Teatro del Sale. Please let her know your preference in advance. If no market is specified, she’ll default to the curated neighborhood food shop tour starting at Loggia del Bigallo.

Complimentary transfer from the market to Cinzia’s home is included for up to three guests. For groups of four or more, guests are kindly asked to arrange and cover their own transportation to Cinzia’s home, as her car can accommodate a maximum of three guests.

Notes:
1. For groups of 7 or more guests, Cinzia hosts the experience at her friend’s home in Florence, which can accommodate larger parties. Her own kitchen can host a maximum of 6 guests.
2. Cinzia is trained in vegetarian, celiac, and macrobiotic cooking and is happy to accommodate dietary requests. Please inform her of any restrictions or preferences when booking, as she plans the menu in advance.
3. Please note that the market-only experience is unavailable in July and August due to high temperatures.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

• Please choose ONE menu while booking your experience:
• Traditional Tuscan menu: Coccoli fritti with stracchino or prosciutto or Bruschetta + Choice between three handmade pastas (she can also do colored pasta if you'd like) or One pasta and a main + Seasonal vegetables such as stewed artichokes or roasted carrots or salad + Tiramisu or cantucci or panna cotta or brutti ma buoni
• Historical Tuscan menu: Pappa al pomodoro (tomato and bread soup) or Ribollita (Tuscan soup that's made with white beans, vegetables, and hearty day-old bread) + Panzanella (tomato and bread salad) + Crespelle Alla Fiorentina (ricotta and spinach filled crepes) or Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Beans) + Tiramisu or cantucci or panna cotta or brutti ma buoni

Traveler reviews

This was the best experience ever. The food was delicious!! Cinzia was the best host and made us feel very at home! Would strongly recommend anyone traveling to the area!

- logan February 20, 2026

Cinzia welcomed us into her home and taught us how to make a three course meal from everyday ingredients. Super relevant for home cooking, and includes fresh pasta from scratch. We had a wonderful time.

- dawen February 05, 2026

We had a lovely time! It was just my sister and me and we made pasta, sauce, veggies, a filet and panna cotta … and everything was wonderful’ learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed talking with Cinzia!! Highly recommend.

- kate January 19, 2026