Cook Like A Local In Florence: Pasta And Tiramisu By Cesarine

We had such a fantastic experience taking a private cooking class with Benedetta in her home during our family’s first time in Florence! From start to finish, she was such a warm, welcoming, and talented teacher. Her home was absolutely beautiful, and it was so special to get to experience an authentic Italian cooking experience in such a beautiful setting. We made two different pastas and tiramisu, and every dish was delicious. Benedetta was so patient and made everything feel fun and approachable, even for those of us who aren’t experienced cooks. Alessandra was also so kind & wonderful! This was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Florence. We left with full stomachs, new cooking skills, and such a memorable experience with our family. We would absolutely recommend Benedetta to anyone looking for a genuine, intimate, and delicious Italian cooking experience!

It was truly an amazing experience! Barbara was so warm and inviting! It was part of a birthday trip for my mom, sister and I. We loved learning how to make gnocchi and tiramisu (my favorite 😍) Barbara also made some other dishes for us to try at the table. Her set up in the backyard was absolutely breathtaking. What a wonderful experience to have! Check it out for yourself, and you won't be disappointed!!

This is an "in-home" experience, which sounds like a great idea until you get put with a host that is not prepared. We got assigned to a host that is a 50-minute walk from the city center, so we took a cab. The address we received had no directions on how to access to her condo - which left is wandering until we figured out how to get in. We had booked a 3pm experience and arrived promptly at 3pm. We were told our host spoke English, but we spent the entire class trying to communicate through a translating device. During the times we were actually "cooking", we were in silence and learned by watching. Our host had already prepared everything in advance - 2 pasta sauces, a meat, and the tiramisu. We only "learned" how to make one shape of pasta and assembled the pre-prepared tiramisu. Our experience was supposed to last 3 hours, but after being there for 3 hours, our host told us (through the translating device) that she had also separately booked a couple for her "in-home restaurant" at 7:30pm (4.5 hours after our arrival) so we would wait to eat until they arrived. Because of this, we sat in her kitchen and waited for the couple for 2 hours. When I messaged the tour company after our experience, they denied my request for a refund and told me that I simply "did not appreciate Italian hospitality". Our host was a lovely host, however, my concern with this experience is that it was completely different than advertised. It was without a doubt the worst experience during my trip to Italy and I would highly advise against taking a chance with this company and stick with an actual cooking class at a cooking school.

The cooking class was great! Duchene was a perfect cook and host. She was great at telling stories to my kids and helping my in-laws understand Tuscany culture.

I would highly recommend this experience for anyone curious about the process and culture behind Tuscan pasta! Plus we were well fed which is a huge bonus.

The depth of knowledge sharing was amazing and a wonderful experience to understand more about Italian cooking. We also got the chance to taste the pasta we made which is unique experience not seen in any restaurants. The host was amazing, would go again for another class :)

Donatella was fantastic! So kind and very knowledgeable. She treated us like family and made our 4 year old son feel at home.

Cecilia was absolutely amazing! She truly was the best part of the whole Italy trip! The food was delicious and the best tiramisu I’ve had in my life! She was truly the sweetest and I will be booking again for every Italy trip!

Tamara is a fantastic host, and Alfredo is an engaging cook and teacher. We had a wonderful; afternoon in their home with three other couples. We were welcomed with a glass of prosecco, and the we drank delicious wines, as Alfredo showed us how to prepare fresh pasta. He then demonstrated how to prepare a ricotta and spinach stuffing, which he used to stuff tortellis in front of us, explaining where to get the material, and how to proceed. Then, with the remaining fresh pasta, he showed us how to make tagliatelle, which we continued to do ourselves. It was really a fun time. But the best, was that we got to eat all sort of good food: bruschetta, other typical Tuscan appetizers, and then the tortellis Alfredo preapred earlier were served in a marjoram butter sauce, followed by the tagliatelle we prepared, served with a typical Tuscan ragu (meat sauce) or with a Sugo finto (typical Florentine vegetarian sauce) according to your preference. Then we ate a tiramisu, prepared earlier by Alfredo. Following this event, we received the recipes of everything I mentioned by email, so we can attempt to do it at home. I just completed my first attempt at an homemade tiramisu! Really, this was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience: you will have a blast, you will learn a lot and you'll eat like a king. Tamara, Alfredo, thank you for this really pleasant afternoon in your home. What a treat! Chantal and Stéphane

My husband was in disbelief that we would be in Italy and especially Florence without having booked a Cooking Lesson! I hesitated to since he doesn't cook and thought he'd be bored on our planned Italy trip for our anniversary celebration. Nonsense, he said. You really like cooking, and it will be fun to do together. So, off I went to find a cooking school - but, I didn't think he would be interested in a large group instruction in a formal school. Then I came across Cesarine! And, boy, did I read review after review about this wonderful program bringing students into the real homes and learning time-tested traditions from gracious home chefs passionate about sharing their love of their culture and food. What we didn't know and were overwhelmed by was the abundant personality and patient instruction by Cecilia. We loved every minute in her presence in her amazingly comfortable home and kitchen. She made us feel so welcome and was so patient in her instructions, never rushing or talking over us. It was such a lovely way to see Florence and share the traditions and love of creating delicious food, which we will share and continue in our home and family. The views were amazing from her home and we enjoyed our walk from the center of the city where our hotel was (about 35 minutes). It was perfect and truly memorable, and most assuredly a special highlight of our Italy trip! Thank you for this amazing program, and special thanks to Cecilia to share her love and recipes with us!

Tamara and Alfredo are fantastic hosts and cooks! They made us feel like we were preparing dinner with family. My husband and I love taking cooking classes abroad, and this was one of the best experiences so far. Food was amazing and the recipes are easy to follow/recreate at home.

We had a wonderful evening with Cecilia learning to make fresh egg pasta, spinach and ricotta ravioli, and tiramisu. Cecilia welcomed us into her lovely home, and she both entertained and educated us on the art of Italian cooking. Everything was delicious, and we all left confident that we will be able to recreate these dishes at home. Thanks for a great night! We highly recommend this experience!

This experience was great! I was welcomed into the home of the cutest couple that were so warm and welcoming. Definitely would do again next time I am here.

Absolutely amazing experience and highly recommend Carlo. You will not be disappointed. His passion and knowledge of cooking topped with patience and teaching is superb.

I would highly recommend this option if you are looking for a cooking class! It was SO much more than a cooking class! It was very personal and so lovely to spend time with our host. She welcomed us into her beautiful home just outside the city. We visited in her living room for a bit just to get to know each other and I instantly fell in love with our host. She was so informative and shared fun stories about life in Italy. We then moved to the kitchen and made tiramisu and pasta, drank wine and enjoyed treats. Once the meal was ready we all sat at her dining room table overlooking the city and ate a meal together while we shared more stories. It felt so personal and perfect, as it was just me, my daughter and our host. It felt more like having lunch with a friend, all the while experiencing more than just good food! I would absolutely not only recommend, but encourage this activity. It was wonderful and a highlight of our trip!

Making the pasta, cooking the sauce and sharing the sumptuous meal we made after. Marina was such a great instructor and host. Loved every minute of this beautiful experience!

Cooking and dining with Cecelia was the highlight of our family’s trip to Italy. To be invited into her kitchen and learn to make ravioli and tiramisu was a treat. Cecelia is a warm and welcoming host and teacher and to enjoy our own handiwork over a bottle of Chianti while overlooking Florence was unforgettable. This is a perfect way to spend a night in Italy.

What a wonderful day with Cristina! The perfect host, her warmth and engaging demeanor made for enjoyable learning in a truly relaxing and enjoyable way. I cannot express how much fun (and new knowledge) we gained under her perfect guidance.

We had a wonderful time! We really enjoyed speaking with our host, learning traditional Italian pasta dishes, and eating the delicious meal. (It honestly may have been some of the best pasta we tried in Venice...) Loved it so much, we purchased a pasta machine for use at home to carry on what we learned!

My daughter aged 6 and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Cesarine and her husband were great at instructing and involving my daughter in the cooking. A great one of a kind experience.

An outstanding experience! Luca's kitchen and home were perfect for this class and his genuine interest in teaching us about how to make pasta was inspiring! Dinner (which we helped to cook) and easy-going conversation made the evening one to remember forever - Thanks!

I couldn't attend as I have Covid. Sorry to have missed it. I would have loved to learn how to make tiramisu.

Marina was incredible. It felt like we were invited to an old friends house for some culinary fun. Her house was amazing and the experience was informative and delicious.

We had the most fantastic experience with this class!! He is very personable and extremely talented in the kitchen. I would strongly advise booking!

Francesca was a wonderful teacher and her efforts showed in the delicious results we created. She made it seem so simple to create pasta and tiramisu at home. We can’t wait to re-create the same meal again. It will never measure up to doing this in her beautiful kitchen and enjoying the meal in her comfortable and welcoming home.

This was truly a immersive experience. Our house made us feel like her house was our own. And enjoyed making the authentic pasta and Tara Massu, Yum!

Francesca was such an amazing host. She welcomed me into her home and made me feel comfortable. She is an enthusiastic teacher and an ever better chef. The food was so delicious I couldn’t believe I had just made it…from scratch! Although I cannot bring food home to my loved ones, I can bring home my new skills and recipes.

Great atmosphere. Really enjoyed the class the ambiance and the whole experience was amazing 🤩. Pleasant atmosphere and the food was great. Highly recommended

We did a tour around Tuscany and this was our best experience and pasta by far! Christine & Davide where amazing hosts showing us all the tips of how to cook the best pasta & tiramisú and giving us recos for our days in Florence. A great experience to eat real tuscan food and menu was adapted to vegetarian, would recommend 100% and will try the recipes sure at home!

Barbara is an amazing Cesarine! She received me in her beautiful home with a delicious Bruscheta and promptly made sure I felt comfortable even though other people had canceled and the session was just the two of us. She then helped me in learning and cooking delicious italian pasta and Tiramisu. I couldn't ask for a more gracious teacher or for a better experience in cooking! Can't recommend enough! Will be booking other Cesarine experiences in the future.

This experience was one of the highlights of our trip! Such an authentic experience and selfless for our cesarine Donatella to welcome us into her beautiful home!

Very nice experience to cook in the chef’s home with their instruction. We learned lots of useful tips about cooking and the city and the meal was delicious.

Would have loved to experience, but was not given instructions on how to get there until the last minute even thou a request to Viator was given the week before the client left from the United States. No reason all information should have been supplied on voucher.

Barbara created the most lovely afternoon. She made gnocchi, pasta and tiramisu look like a breeze to make, and after, we felt like experts too. She could not have been more kind or hospitable, and her home was lovely. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

Carlo was a wonderful host & teacher. We enjoyed learning about pasta making and met new friends! Highly recommend!

Amazing experience and the best pasta I’ve had since my Grandma passed away 20 years ago. Highly recommend.

This was such a a fun hands on experience! My daughter and I both enjoyed the delicious food. The host was welcoming and delightful. I would highly recommend!

This was the highlight of our trip. We were hosted by the best couple and they made our night complete. We made two pastas and desert and everything we ate was absolutions amazing! We are going to do this again next time.

We had a wonderful afternoon learning to make ravioli, spaghetti and tiramisu. Carlo was a fabulous host and teacher, sharing lots of his personal tips which we’re all eager to try out when we get home. Best of all we got to eat genuine homemade Tuscan food which we helped to make. Overall a wonderful experience spent with a very generous host. We can highly recommend this activity to anyone who loves good food and company.

There aren’t enough stars to give this experience. We were matched with a great couple, Cristina and Paolo, who both cooked and lived in a small house with a spacious yard/garden in the Tuscan hills. 15 min cab ride away. Their friendly dog Nicollo greeted us. We had bruschetta with tomatoes from their garden and tempura fried sage leaves from their garden paired w white wine, We made the tiramisu w Paolo so it could chill while we took an hour to make tagliatelle from scratch w Cristina - so light it only took 2 mins to cook. Paolo whipped up an olive oil sauce with carrots, onions, garlic plus fresh zucchini from their garden- the perfect cover for our pasta w a nice Chianti before dessert. We ate outside and took pictures of the sunset. Pure perfection.

It was so comfortable. I had no idea what to expect. I had my 22 year old son and 20 year old daughter. I can not believe how great it was. I was sure I would be getting eye rolls and irritation from them. It was fantastic and everyone had a great time. The food was beyond excellent as well. I can not wait to try ot on my own. Truly the most fun. Best part of the stop in Florence for sure!

My partner and I were super excited for this experience. We had already spent weeks travelling through Italy, seeing other cooking classes but this had such good reviews so we decided to wait and book this one. To be honest, we found it super underwhelming - we were not offered appetisers or prosecco, very limited food and wine offered at dinner. We were also not taught how to actually good the pasta or sauces. Look, I presume it depends on your host - which could be super amazing but I think we drew the short straw on this one. We also found it was not good value for money at all. Would definitely recommend trying a different company.

Most importantly the pasta making class was excellent and our hostess and chef absolutely lovely. I would repeat that experience again. The issue was not with the host but with viator. They were supposed to give us the address because we were going to someone's home (which in of itself was an experience worth having). However viator never sent the address, did not answer the phone and ultimately was using AI to respond to whatsapp, giving me a response of, and I'm not kidding, the city of Florence when we asked repeatedly for the address. For 24 hours we tried and finally found a way to get to ceasarine which you can book direct to get the address and phone number of our wonderful host who guided us right to where we needed to he albeit 30 minutes late due to how awful viator was foe this. Normally viator does well but not when you apparently don't have a public place to meet. For pasta making classes seems booking direct may be better.

We would give 10 stars if we could. Carlo was amazing! He explained the reasoning why each ingredient and technique was needed to make the best dish. Which was incredibly helpful when you are first learning. He has also convinced us we now need a pasta making machine in our lives. Thank you again, Carlo! We had an incredible time.

Great learning experience, we had a wonderful time preparing and of course eating our delicious meal. Highly recommend for those looking for a fun time looking for a local touch to your trip.

A wonderful experience in a Florence home. Beautiful views overlooking the Duomo. Excellent instruction in friendly environment. Instructor is a fantastic teacher and wonderful host for dinner.

This was our favorite part of our Florence visit! Cesarine is an amazing cook and very friendly. We were paired with a family, so there ended up being 7 of us with my husband and I. Cesarine made us all feel comfortable and we had an amazing meal together and even made some great friends! She immediately emailed us the recipes so we can recreate at home. Highly highly recommend!

Ask for Ivana if you are in Florence. It was the most amazing evening. Great food, great company, very knowledgeable and Ivana and her husband made us feel welcome in their home. 10/10

Cecilia was absolutely delightful. Not only was the class extremely informative and hands on, the home was gorgeous and had an amazing view of Florence that we enjoyed all throughout the class and dinner afterwards. Cecilia shared her passion for cooking as well as family secrets involved in both the tiramisu and pasta making processes. This was exactly the experience my wife and I had hoped to partake in and would happily recommend Cecilia to anyone looking to learn to make authentic Italian cuisine. Perfetto!