Tuscan Pasta Making Cooking Class in the Florence Countryside

Meet Fabio

Fabio grew up in Italy learning to cook alongside his mother in the family kitchen, where he developed a deep appreciation for traditional Italian home cooking. What began as helping with simple meals eventually became a lifelong passion, and today Fabio loves experimenting with recipes while staying true to the flavors of his region. Fabio specializes in Tuscan cuisine, which focuses on simple dishes made with seasonal, local ingredients of the highest quality. His cooking reflects the philosophy of Tuscan food - letting a few excellent ingredients shine. In addition to Tuscan recipes, Fabio also enjoys preparing Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes inspired by Italy’s diverse culinary traditions. Fabio lives with his wife, Christiane, a German journalist, in the beautiful Tuscan countryside just outside Florence, where they host guests for authentic Italian cooking experiences. During your visit, Fabio enjoys sharing stories about Florence, Tuscany, and Italy’s rich history and food culture, making the experience both culinary and cultural. An architect and designer by profession, Fabio has a passion for contemporary art as well as music, especially rock and jazz. In his free time he enjoys playing tennis and skiing. Joining Fabio for a Tuscan culinary experience near Florence offers guests the opportunity to experience authentic Italian home cooking while learning about the traditions, ingredients, and culture that shape the region’s cuisine.

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) Enjoy a unique Tuscan dining experience near Florence at the countryside home of Fabio and Christiane. Their house sits on a hill about 10 km from Florence’s historic center, surrounded by olive trees and beautiful views of the Tuscan landscape. Fabio and Christiane will welcome you into their cozy, colorful home with a refreshing drink before sharing stories about life in Florence and the surrounding countryside. Depending on the season, Fabio may also show you their olive trees and explain how olives are harvested and transformed into traditional Tuscan olive oil. Your authentic Tuscan home-cooked meal will be prepared using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. The menu may include dishes such as tagliatelle with vegetarian ragù, squid risotto with wild fennel and orange peel, peposo alla fornacina with white beans (beef slow-cooked in red wine, garlic, and black pepper), or seppie in zimino (cuttlefish with spinach or chard). End your meal with a homemade dessert such as crostata with jam and dried fruit or a classic Italian apple pie, served with warm hospitality in the peaceful Tuscan countryside. This authentic dining experience near Florence offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine while connecting with locals in their home.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) After pickup from central Florence (for groups of six or fewer), enjoy a scenic drive through the Tuscan hills to Fabio and Christiane’s countryside home. In their welcoming kitchen, join a hands-on Florence cooking class and learn to make fresh pasta from scratch using traditional Italian pasta machines while discovering the techniques behind each one. Once the pasta is ready, prepare a seasonal Italian sauce, such as a fresh vegetable and herb blend or a Sicilian-style sardine sauce. You’ll also help create a traditional side dish like a vegetable flan or Fabio’s signature baccalà con porri e cavolo viola (pan-stewed cod with leeks and purple cabbage). For dessert, prepare a classic Italian sweet such as winter castagnaccio or summer panna cotta with strawberry coulis. Enjoy the meal you helped create with Tuscan wine (included) and warm hospitality in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. This Florence cooking class with transportation from the city center is perfect for couples, families, or friends seeking an authentic culinary experience. Guests will learn traditional techniques in a pasta making class in Florence while discovering the flavors and hospitality of the Tuscan countryside. Fabio is happy to accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free diets. Please include this information in your booking.

Market visit: (2-6 guests) Begin your experience with pickup from central Florence (for groups of six or fewer) and enjoy a scenic drive through the rolling Tuscan hills to Fabio and Christiane’s beautiful countryside home. Along the way, stop at a local Tuscan farm for a short 15 minute visit to walk through the fields and learn about what is currently growing in the region. At the farmstand, you will choose the fresh seasonal vegetables you would like to cook with, and Fabio will purchase them for your meal. Next, stop at a nearby local supermarket and specialty food shop where Tuscan residents buy their ingredients, spending about 30 minutes exploring the aisles together. Fabio will show you how to select the best organic produce, local cheeses, fresh meat, and fish, sharing tips on choosing high quality ingredients like a local. This authentic Florence market visit focuses on where locals shop and how seasonal ingredients are selected for Tuscan cooking. This Florence cooking class with a market visit offers a unique opportunity to shop like a local before preparing a traditional meal. Depending on the menu and your preferences, you may visit the farm, the neighborhood market, or both. Please note that the farm closes in the evenings, so evening market tours will include a visit to the local supermarket. Please note that this experience does not include the large tourist markets such as Mercato Centrale, San Lorenzo Market, or Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. Instead, you will visit a local farm and neighborhood food shop for a more authentic Tuscan food experience.

Notes:
1. Transportation and meeting point: Fabio’s home is located about 10 km from Florence’s city center, approximately a 30-minute drive from the meeting location. Fabio, or someone from his team, will pick you up from the central meeting point at Via dei Renai 37, Florence, and drop you back at the same location after your culinary experience. Round-trip transportation from this meeting point is included in the price. Please include your WhatsApp number or local contact number when booking so Fabio can easily reach you in case of traffic or other delays. Please note that Fabio is not able to pick guests up directly from hotels, as private cars are not permitted in Florence’s historic center.
2. Group size and transportation: Fabio can transport up to 6 guests in his vehicle. If your group is larger than six people, he kindly asks that the remaining guests arrange their own transportation and follow him to his home.
3. Dietary restrictions: Fabio can accommodate a vegetarian diet in his Italian cooking class. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
4. Wine: Wine is included in the cost of your experience.
5. This home has cats.
6. Air conditioning: Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

• Seasonal Welcome Drink
• First Course | Homemade pasta with a vegetarian, meat, or fish sauce, or Gnudi (Tuscan “naked ravioli” with ricotta and spinach)
• Main Course | Peposo - Tuscan slow-stewed beef with garlic, black pepper, and red wine or Seppie in Zimino - Cuttlefish with chard or a seasonal vegetarian dish
• Dessert | Crostata with homemade jam, Biscotti di Prato (traditional almond cookies), or Fabio’s apple pie

Traveler reviews

Instead of simply learning to make pasta in a large class setting in the city, we desired something more customized, private, and authentic. Fabio and Christiane exceeded every expectation and delivered an experience we will never forget. Fabio customized our dinner (fish) with ease and yes we learned to make pasta. But this wasn't a class - this was an invitation into their home to share backgrounds, stories, experiences while cooking food. We also shared some wine but most importantly created memories that will last with us forever. There were 4 of us plus Fabio and Christiane which was the perfect size to fit the space. Meeting locations, menu creation, and overall communication was excellent. We promise to return to pick olives with Fabio and Christiane sometime soon.

- dream January 29, 2026

The cooking Experience with Fabio and Christiane was wonderful. We had a great time and learned a lot about cooking traditional Italian foods. The view from the country side was amazing and the wine was delicious. This was definitely the highlight of our vacation in Italy!

- Ron October 22, 2025

This experience was one of the highlights of our trip. Fabio and Christiana welcomed us into their home and shared their culinary expertise as we cooked and ate a delicious midday meal together. We appreciated him contacting us in advance to discuss the menu options. A truly enjoyable experience from beginning to end.

- Thomas October 22, 2025

If you’re visiting Florence this experience is a must do. It will be your best dinner experience of the Tuscany region. You will learn , taste, and most of all have fun. You both made us feel welcoming in your beautiful warm home. Thank you for being one of my highlights of Florence.

- Kat October 15, 2025

We took this cooking class as four friends looking for a taste of Italian cooking and life outside of the tourist areas of Florence. Our experience began when Fabio picked us up and drove up into the hills outside of Florence. The winding roads along old stone walls into the olive groves gave the first indication we were about to experience something very special. Fabio and his wife, Christiane, were wonderful, warm hosts. After a welcome appetizer and some sparkling wine in their garden, we proceeded into their inviting home for hands on lessons in making tiramisu and traditional cod dish and handmade tortelli stuffed with fish and cheese. As the sun set and the day cooled, the hills around the house were alight with reds and pinks. Magical. Fabio was a patient teacher and fabulous cook. The results were delicious. Over dinner and local wine we had stimulating discussions about life. This was a precious and one of a kind experience we'll never forget. Grazie Mille, Fabio and Christiane!!!

- Laurie October 08, 2025