10 Reasons to Take a Cooking Class in Italy

For foodies, there is perhaps no better European country to visit than Italy, where pizza, pasta, gelato and countless other culinary delights can be found. ‘Food Tourism’ has become incredibly popular as people yearn to seek out the very best food from around the world, but what makes Italy’s food tourism so special?

You know what they say: food often tastes best when you’ve prepared it yourself. Well, why not take a cooking class in Italy and see whether that’s true? A cooking class in Italy is an amazing way to experience a huge part of Italian culture, but if that’s not enough to convince you, here are here are ten reasons why you should try one.

Use Fresh, Locally Sourced Ingredients

It’s a well-known fact that food tastes best when you know exactly what’s gone into it. Join us at a farmhouse in Tuscany where your experience will be led by knowledgeable local guides who will take you around the vibrant Tuscan markets. Here you will find some of the fresh, seasonal ingredients you’ll need for the day. The other produce you’ll be using comes from the vegetable garden at the farmhouse. Thanks to the fantastic local ingredients, you can rest assured the meals you’ll be making will not only be fresh, but wholesome and healthy, too.

Experiment with New Ingredients

One of the best things about cookery is that there’s usually no right or wrong way to go about it – and we encourage you to experiment with what you choose to put in your recipe! Italian specialities have many variations and use a number of unique ingredients, so why not make up your own delicacy? Our instructors will teach you about what is commonly used to make certain dishes, but feel free to add your own personal twist to the classic recipes.

Meet New People

There is no better way to meet fellow, like-minded travellers than a cooking class in Italy! The people who sign up for our classes all have an interest in rolling up their sleeves and learning about Italian food. Plus, since cookery is such a relaxing activity and a great stress reliever, spirits are always high during the experience.

Once everything has been prepared and cooked, the group sit together on a terrace overlooking incredible views over the Tuscan hills, and just like a big Italian family, we take time to enjoy the rewards of our efforts.

Leave with Amazing Menu Ideas

Keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll definitely learn a thing or two worth remembering. Taking part in a cooking class in Italy is a great opportunity to source ideas from locals that you can recreate at home. Talk to our guides about their favourite dishes to prepare – they’ll be delighted to talk to you about something so close to their hearts, and you’ll come away brimming with ideas! You’ll no doubt be keen to invite friends and family over for dinner when you get home, just to impress them with something from your new repertoire of delicious meals.

Learn to Think like an Italian Chef

Italy is renowned across the globe for its mouth-watering national dishes, and the Italian chefs behind these delicacies are undoubtedly some of the best. Sign up for our Pizza and Gelato classand put yourself in the shoes of the experts for a day! We believe that above all, it’s the passion of our chefs that makes this class so unforgettable – they’ll make sure your experience is just as fun as it is instructive.

Learn the History of Italian Food

Our guides love educating people about the culture they love so much, and there is a rich history to the food in Italy that you can learn about while you’re there. You’ll be sure to have a newfound appreciation for your favourite Italian cuisine when you’ve heard about the genius invention and evolution of pizza, pasta, gelato, bruschetta… the list goes on!

Perfect for all Ages and Abilities

You’re never too young or too old to learn how to cook – it’s such a wonderful activity in which the whole family can take part. Younger people and beginners get to see what cooking in general is all about, while experienced cooks can definitely learn something new thanks to the expertise of the chefs. The warm and friendly atmosphere makes for a lovely learning environment, too.

Practise a Useful Skill

Isn’t it amazing when you can impress friends and family with such a practical and useful skill? There’s so much value in learning how to cook and it will definitely come in handy throughout your life, wherever you are. Not everyone gets the benefit of an education from a cooking class in Italy either! Novices can get to grips with the basics, and there’s plenty of opportunity for a challenge for those who are more familiar with the craft.

Embrace Local Culture

Food is such an important part of Italian culture. If you haven’t tried Italian cuisine, then you really haven’t experienced the country in all its glory. Of course, booking a cooking class in Italy takes things one step further! Learning to cook in the country itself, from passionate local guides is the absolute best way to experience the country’s authenticity.

Have Lots of fun

Quite simply, our classes are just so much fun! It’s no surprise cookery is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It can be a fantastic, relaxing activity and it’s especially great when the end result is delicious Italian food.

There are clearly a host of great reasons to take a cooking class in Italy. We believe our classes are some of the best around, and we’re keen to show you why! We have no doubt that you’ll end the day with a full stomach and a warm heart.

Recommended Experiences

Cooking Class and Lunch

This experience begins in Florence’s historical food market where locals buy produce fresh from the fields every day. You can shop for the ingredients you will use later on and learn to choose the best seasonal products.

You’ll then return to the farmhouse, where you and the group will roll up your sleeves and recreate a full traditional Tuscan meal with the help of our chefs. You will learn to make real Italian fresh pasta by hand and prepare classic bruschetta before taking a break to enjoy your starter with a glass of Chianti wine.

You’ll also have the opportunity to prepare traditional Tuscan roast pork and discover the secrets of Italian coffee and tiramisù.

Finally it will be time to sit down and enjoy your full meal along with a glass of carefully selected wine from the region. Buon appetito!

See what one of our guests had to say about this experience on TripAdvisor:

“I chose this cooking class in Italy as part of my birthday trip and I made the right choice. Hospitality was great. The four dishes were amazing and easy to follow... and of course they were delicious. It was one of the unforgettable lunches for me in that wonderful place. Highly recommended.”

Pizza and Gelato Experience at a Farmhouse in Tuscany

Firstly we will transport you directly to our beautiful private estate in the hills above Florence. Here you can settle down with a glass of Chianti wine and enjoy the stunning views while our guides tell you a little about the history of Italian pizza and its significance to the culture.

Next up you will learn all about the art of dough-making. From here you can get creative and add your toppings to customise your personal pizza. Your creations are then cooked in our traditional wood oven to give it that authentic flavour which you’ll later be enjoying with more wine or beer!

Our instructors will then walk you through the special techniques used to make wonderfully creamy gelato before you can sit down again and reap the delicious rewards.

Here’s what one happy guest had to say on TripAdvisor:

“This was one of the most fun (and delicious) things we did as a family during our trip to Italy! An easy and quick bus ride took us from Florence to the most beautiful farmhouse where we learned to make delicious gelato (with regular freezing technique and 'nitrogen' gelato) and pizza for dinner. Chefs Max and Luca made the experience so fun and amazing. They were knowledgeable, helpful and hilarious! This is a must do for a couple or family if you are visiting Florence!”

We hope this post has whetted your appetite for an authentic Italian experience. If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and book online today.

We Are Walkabout Florence

At Walkabout Florence, we strive to provide a real taste of Italy to those looking for it on our unforgettable tours and experiences. We love Italy and we are truly passionate about showing people why it’s such a wonderful country to visit. Head over to our website and you can take a look at the adventures we can offer you.