Private Italian Home Cooking Class & Wine With Fabio & Christiane

We loved the atmosphere of their home and got to experience making an authentic Italian meal. We would highly recommend this experience.

My wife and I visited Italy for the first time in September 2026. We visited Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. We went on multiple excursions/tours in each location and I can honestly say this was hands down the best experience we had. Fabio and his wife were gracious hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. Fabio made the cooking class entertaining, hands-on and simply fun. Their farmhouse, where they hosted, was about 30 minutes outside of Florence. It was comfortable and charming. The experience was topped off with one of the best Italian meals we have ever had. It was absolutely delicious. We can't recommend this experience enough. If you enjoy great company, excellent Italian food and wine all in a welcoming and cozy setting, then this experience is for you!

My husband and I traveled to Italy to celebrate our 40th anniversary, and we wanted a small, personal cooking class to make our trip even more memorable. Fabio and Christiane were absolutely wonderful hosts—warm, welcoming, and incredibly talented in the kitchen! Fabio is truly a master of risotto! We couldn't have asked for a better experience. If you're considering this class, don't hesitate. You're in for a real treat!

This was one of our most favorite excursions! Fabio picked us up in Florence and the ride to his home had incredible views. On the way, we stopped at the market for supplies. Fabio took the opportunity to educate us on different fish and meat available in the market. At his home, he and Christiane felt like “old friends.” We laughed, cooked, talked and ate the night away. The time went really fast and was so enjoyable to be in their home cooking and learning. Fabio and I had communicated ahead of time and we were able to agree on the special dishes we were going to prepare that took my back to what my nonna would make.

Our experience with Fabio and Christina and Fre (and Peppi!) was an absolutely authentic and delicious evening! Fabio worked with us to create a menu that was agreeable by all (we had vegans in the group) as well as very tasty. Many of the other cooking classes we researched focused on either gelato, pizza, tiramisu or pasta - and nothing against those dishes, but we wanted something a little more different but still 100% Italian and Fabio delivered. Dinner was enjoyed on the patio with a gorgeous sunset and great conversation into the evening. 10/10!

Fabio and his wife were amazing!! Me and my wife enjoyed our cooking experience so very much. The kindness and love they showed was above and beyond expectations

Fabio, his wife and family friend were the kind and welcoming people I have ever met. This was our third trip to Italy and cooking with Fabio was the best experience we have ever had. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Plus the food was delicious.

My family and I shared lots of experiences during our 10 days in Italy. We went to Venice, Rome, Florence, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. I can tell you without hesitation that this was my favorite event! We felt incredibly welcomed by both Fabio and Christianne, who is an absolute riot, and made the evening even more special. Fabio took into consideration my request for no fish. First we shopped together for the ingredients. I've not been inside an Italian grocery store before, so that was pretty fantastic before the cooking even started. He made sure each member (5) of our family had a task to do whether it was kneading the dough for pasta, cutting up apples, or making the pasta itself. We sat at the table together and chatted for hours! I didn't want to leave. If we are lucky enough to go back to Italy, I would for sure book this experience again, and only with Fabio and Christianne.

Fabio and his wife were very fun! We had a great time going to the markets and making true Italian meals. We had some local wine which was also very special. Fabio is an excellent chef! We enjoyed their home in the hills of Tuscany away from the city. I highly recommend spending your day with them!!

An unforgettable experience! Fabio and Christiane are fabulous hosts, their home a quiet villa hidden amongst olive trees in the countryside. Fabio contacted us ahead of time to create a menu that suits any dietary needs/restrictions. Fabio helped us create pasta from scratch and turn local farm fresh ingredients into the most amazing meal, which was shared in their peaceful backyard amongst the beautiful natural backdrop. Our evening with Fabio and Christiane is a wonderful family memory…my boys were talking about recreating the recipe before we even made it home!

When we were planning our trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to get an experience learning how to cook. Our travel agent told us about the opportunity to go to Fabio’s and Christiane‘s home to take a private cooking class. We were not going to pass that up. We wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who would like to have a fun evening getting away from tourist crowds, spending some time in the countryside outside of Florence, learning to cook, having some wine, meeting some wonderful people, and enjoying some fantastic Italian hospitality. After we booked this, Fabio and I emailed back-and-forth about the menu for our evening. He let me pick what we wanted to make. When the day came, he picked us up in Florence in his car, drove us to his home, where we met Christiane and her niece Marilena, and we got ready to cook. All of the ingredients were measured out and ready for us to cook. We had decided on a menu of tagliatelle with Tuscan meat sauce, peposo, and Fabio’s apple cake. But, first, local wine and meats/cheeses outside while we chatted and got to know each other. Then, we cooked. We had such fun learning from Fabio and trying our hand at making homemade Italian dishes. And, we may have had more wine while we cooked. Christiane was serving, and we weren’t going to say no. Afterward, we all sat down at their dining room table and ate what we had cooked. I can’t fully describe how wonderful it was to spend an evening at their table, in their home, talking about life, Italy, America, and our shared love of good food and wine. Our evening with Fabio and Christiane was an absolute highlight of our time in Florence. I have no doubt that if we get back to Florence in the near future, we’ll spend another evening with them. I recommend this to anyone who wants a fantastic evening while in Florence.

Fantastic - what an experience of a lifetime. The entire event start to finish was amazing! Full of great food, true Italian experience and there is not enough to write about the wonderful hosts. The ingredients, the ambiance, the laughs and the art of cooking was a dream come true. Thank you!!

Fabio & Christiane were warm, welcoming, and wonderful hosts. You felt like you were visiting long time friends. We enjoyed every minute, and in the process, we learned so much! We would highly recommend everyone to have this awesome experience.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at this Tuscan cooking class at Fabio and Christiane's home. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into their home with genuine warmth and hospitality. The hosts made us feel like family, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and relaxed. Learning to make homemade pasta from scratch was a highlight of our trip to Italy. They were patient, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing their traditions and love of Italian cooking. Every step was explained clearly, and the experience was hands-on, fun, and authentic. The food we prepared was delicious, but what truly made the experience special was the kindness and generosity of our hosts. Their warmth, friendliness, and attention to detail made for an unforgettable afternoon. We cannot say enough good things about this experience and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tuscany. It was one of the most memorable parts of our trip!

We traveled to Florence with our close friends and booked a cooking class with Fabio and his wife, Christiane. They were immediately warm and welcoming. Learning to make a traditional Italian meal was full of fun and laughter. We truly appreciate their hospitality and would recommend their countryside class for any small group.

What an amazing experience. Set high on a hill outside Florence, Fabio’s home and kitchen look as though they were made for a movie. Picturesque house and surrounding yard and garden are the perfect setting for this experience. Fabio checked with us the week before to make sure we were learning things we wanted to and let us help set the menu. We selected lasagna with meat sauce and risotto and Fabio added his special apple cake. This class is hands on, making pasta and sauces from scratch. You can help prepare and cook as much as you want. I made the pasta for the lasagna and we made fresh vegetable stock to use in the risotto. What a learning experience. We are accomplished cooks, but still learned many new things. Fabio and his wife Cristiana are such gracious hosts. He opened excellent bottles of wine to enjoy with our dinner out under the pergola while witnessing a spectacular sunset. Food, conversation, wine were all delightful. I highly recommend this experience!

Today was truly one of the best days of my life, and it was all thanks to Fabio, his wife, and their incredible hospitality. It was an experience of a lifetime that I will remember for years to come.

Fabio and Christiane were so welcoming and great to spend the day getting to know. The meal we prepared was so delicious, and the scenery unbelievable. One of our favorite things we did on the whole trip.

Excellent Experience. The food we made with Fabio was outstanding. Fabio and his wife were excellent hosts and made sure that they worked around my wife's food restrictions. Hightly recommend the experrience!

Great experience - Fabio and his wife were lovely and it was a great home to enjoy an authentic Florentine meal in.

We had a great experience cooking with Fabio and his wife. We prepared from scratch locally sourced food and then shared the food together. I learned some new cooking , the conversation was engaging, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend this experience!

Fabio and Christiane were fabulous hosts. We truly enjoyed preparing a meal together with fresh or locally sourced ingredients. The meal was delicious and the conversation was engaging. I would highly recommend this experience.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!!!

My wife and I had a wonderful experience with Fabo and Christiane in late September. Before the class Fabio and I corresponded about the menu for the afternoon. It was all tasty – crostini with cheese and anchovies, stuffed zucchini flowers, gnudi, Baccalà mantecato and Cantucci di Prato. They have a stylish home in a beautiful setting in the country (where we were able to pick fresh chanterelles). All ingredients and wines were local. An added bonus: an engaging conversation with this cultured and well-traveled couple.

We had a wonderful afternoon/evening with Fabio and Christiane. We were picked up right on time and driven to their beautiful countryside home. We had a few lite bites and good conversation. Next was a very informative cooking experience complete with detailed instruction on each part of the meal. Fabio let us participate in many aspects of the meal preparation. We learned a lot and were lucky enough to consume everything we made and it was delicious. We highly recommend this cooking experience.

Fabio and his partner were an absolute joy. The two of them couldn't be more welcoming, pleasant, or enjoyable with which to cook and dine. The food was probably the best meal we had abroad in 10 days. The country setting was perfect for the experience, style of cooking, and task of cooking. The experiecne was tuned perfectly to our desires based on our correspondence. Understand that Fabio does both cooking for you and teaching (cooking with you) style experiences, and he's assertive in the kitchen: if you're not, he'll simply make and serve the meal for you. If you want to do a majority of the work, be prepared to be assertive. Regardless, he provides an incredible amount of information and experience. Would ABSOLUTELY recommend and will absolutely do again.

This wasn't a cooking class, it was more of an experience and an excellent introduction to Florence. I booked this for my mother and I, hoping for a break from the more traditional tours and museum visits. What a wonderful evening! Fabio contacted me a few days before to gauge our likes and dislikes and then emailed me the menu. We made stewed beef Tuscan-style, handmade pasta with a vegetarian sauce, zucchini, and a dessert made with chestnut flower. The food was very good. I received the recipes and have made the beef again since coming home. But, better than the food was the company. Fabio and his wife, were absolutely wonderful. They provided excellent hospitality, great conversation, and even a few tips for must-see attractions. Based on their recommendations, we took a lovely tour to Sienna. This was a perfect introduction to Florence. I highly recommend it.

We had a great evening with Fabio and his wife Christina. He was very generous in sharing the traditions of his cooking and sourcing of herbs oils and ingredients. The goal was to provide a gluten free dinner and he did a great job. The company was delightful and the setting in the hills of Tuscany in the middle of an olive grove. You can't get more authentic than that!

My husband and I had a sense before even meeting Fabio and Christiane that our cooking experience would be relaxing and fun. Communicating via e-mail ahead of our visit, we agreed on a menu of seafood (Octopus salad with potatoes, handmade pasta with sauce of baby clams). We stayed in contact before our visit to arrange a place/time for pick up. The drive to their beautiful country farmhouse in the hills outside of Florence is epic! Narrow dirt roads lined with stone walls climbing higher and higher with amazing views of the countryside below. Upon reaching their home, we were welcomed by Christiane (& some of their cats!) Before heading outside to their patio to enjoy a crisp glass of white wine and some yummy appetizers, we watched Fabio set the Octopus in a pot over low heat to start the cooking process. So interesting! Watching and learning from Fabio as we prepared the food was so great. He clearly has a passion for cooking and his attention to getting the taste and flavors "just right" was a work of art! Aside from the main dishes, he put together a beautiful fresh spinach salad with ripe tomatoes and sliced baby zucchini and prepared a pear pie with chocolate for dessert. Sitting down at their table to enjoy this feast was an experience in itself. The conversations flowed along with some wine! The food was absolutely delicious! We learned so much about their lives and interests and we shared our own stories as well. This cooking experience with Fabio and Christiane exceeded our expectations & is a memory we will never forget. They are a lovely couple!

We wanted a Tuscany cooking experience that was not a cooking class and that is what we got. Fabio and Christina were fabulous hosts and they made us feel like guests in their house. The setting was picturesque overlooking Florence from up top of the hills. Their property is beautiful and there is an abundance of natural plants, flowers, herbs that is so much a part of their meals. The food was excellent and we learned so much as we watched Fabio prepare every dish. It was an immersive experience as my wife got to participate in the food preparation. The conversation was wonderful as we shared each other's cultures and life experiences. It was exactly the type of experience we were looking for.

Fabio and his wife provided a wonderful opportunity to experience Italian life in their warm and gracious home. We arrived to a warm and welcoming greeting. We then proceeded to enjoy some appetizers while we chatted and discussed our cooking lesson. We had the privilege to learn how to make several different dishes for our meal which we enjoyed together around their dining room table. We also learned about different herbs they grow in their garden. it was truly a relaxed, fun and unique experience. I'm so glad our travel agent booked this as opposed to one in town with lots of people. Fabio consulted ahead of time to learn what we would like to prepare. Thank you, Fabio and Christiane, for a delightful experience.

We can’t say enough about our new wonderful friends we were fortunate to join at their home to discuss food, family, and life. We loved the truly real world experience that we had with them during our cooking and dining adventure in the Florence countryside - we will never forget and we hope to meet again someday!!

A wonderful evening. Fabio picked us up in town and we drove into the country to his home. Very local experience. Great food and fun company. Highly recommend!

We had a wonderful experience with Fabio and Christiane at the start of our week in Tuscany. We communicated with Fabio ahead of time to agree on the details including time and menu. Fabio met us in town at 4:30 to drive us up the hill -- we loved getting out of town and enjoyed the beautiful sunset views overlooking Firenze... we arrived at their home and enjoyed an aperitif in the garden of local sparkling wine and toast with homemade pesto (with kale, walnuts, fresh parmesan, garlic and local olive oil) and butter and sardines. We then shifted to the kitchen to help prepare the meal -- we started making the apple pie, so it had time to bake, then prepared the pork roast with fresh herbs, shallots and garlic, sauteed local green with house olives, and then homemade pasta with carbonara (carefully mixing to ensure it is a sauce vs. scrambled eggs!). We enjoyed the meal and conversation with Chianti wine and homemade bread. Our hosts were very interesting people with varied interests who had traveled in lots of places, so the conversation was easy and enjoyable. Fabio uses only fresh and local ingredients and shared a lot about the local spices, cheeses, meats, vegetables while we were cooking. It happened to be our son's 21st birthday, so Fabio decorated the desert with the traditional Italian "Augeri" candles. Very enjoyable and authentic experience -- we learned a lot about the local area, food, culture and had a great meal. I realize that Christiane and I took the pictures, so there are none of us! Highly recommend!

Great hands on cooking and eating experience in a family home outside of Florence. We love food and cooking and wanted to have a night that was different than going to a restaurant— allowed us to dine with a very kind and interesting couple, learn more about life in the area, prepare food together (learned to make fresh pasta, a carbonara sauce that didn’t turn into scrambled eggs!!), a pork roast with fresh herbs, a warm escarole salad with fresh olives, homemade bread, homemade apple pie and local wines. We cooked together and then dined with our hosts. Fabio was very knowledgeable about food, natural ingredients. He and his wife were very interesting people— a retired architect and journalist who are well traveled. Fabio picked us up in Florence and took us to their home and back so transportation is covered. This is a really special experience that I recommend to people who want to learn more about cooking and eating in Italy with a highly personal and authentic experience.

We had a wonderful experience from the moment we booked our reservation, Fabio was in contact with us in preparation for the menu and the meeting location for our cooking class . He arranged the time so that we could see the sunset overlooking Florence from the countryside, It was an amazing view! We made a traditional Italian Christmas dinner with Bollito and meat broth, Salsa Verde" Green sauce for the "bollito", Capelletti in the meat broth, Pears tart with chocolate. The meal was delicious and the company was wonderful. Fabio and Christiane were very warm and welcoming hosts with great conversation It was all we expected and more.

This unique cooking and dining experience was a real highlight of our trip. We met Fabio at a specific location in Florence and he drove us to his beautiful countryside home located on a hill top. He stopped along the way so we can enjoy the breathtaking views and beautiful sunset. Christiane, Fabio's warm and charming wife welcomed us into their home when we arrived and we toasted the evening with a delicious glass of wine. Fabio's passion for cooking becomes evident the minute you step into the kitchen and we begin to prepare the meal. All ingredients were fresh and local, Christiane even went outside to pick some fresh herbs which we added to the creation. The food was spectacular and the risotto was the most delicious I have ever tasted. Not only is the evening filled with the most delicious meal it's packed with conversation as if you are dining with friends who have known for many years. This truly was an experience not just a cooking class.

Great food, great view and great time! Fabio and Christine live in a house high above the City. They invited us to their home where we made fresh homemade pasta, hummus, a seafood entre and a cake for desert, all from scratch. Fabio taught us as we went, and when done we enjoyed the entire meal in their dining room with them over several bottles of wine. We made a fresh italian meal in an italian home and shared it with an italian family. How special! We loved this experience.

Look no further for the best cooking ( and eating) experience in the hills above Florence! Fabio picked us up and transported us to a pastoral setting and his villa, , high above Florence, with spectacular views. He and his charming wife, Christian, are lovely hosts, and the 4 of us had a fantastic time making homemade tagliatelle with a yummy red sauce with fresh sardines, fresh cod with potatoes, wild mushrooms with herbs( gathered by Chris that morning on their property ) and Fabio’s special apple cake. We learned some new cooking techniques, all the while, eating homemade bread, pecorino cheese, delicious chutney , and of course drinking wine ! Eating this amazing food with equally amazing people is an intimate and delightful way to learn about Italian culture , food , and wine ! This experience was one of the highlights of our 3 weeks in Tuscany ! Escape the beautiful city of Florence and all the hustle and bustle , and enjoy this memorable cooking and dining experience!

Fabio and Christiane were far and away our best experience during our Italian Vacation. They were our second to last night in Italy and we were glad of it because the food we had there was hard to compete with. Fabio and Christiane were unbelievably accommodating hosts. Their house, was nestled in the hills outside florence. On our way Fabio would make stops to show us the Olive trees and shows us views of the city and country side. Once we got to their house they poured us a glass of wine and took us on a walk of their gorgeoud property. Their Olive trees, herb garden and cats were like something out of a movie. My wife and I had so much fun with them and were grateful for the engaging conversation during the cooking lesson. If you are looking for a break from the fast pace of the cities I would highly encourage you to check this out. My wife and I rank it among our best experience in europe.

Fabio and Christiana were amazing. They welcomed us into their home with a great salad and wine. They used fresh herbs from their gardens and fresh ingredients locally. They contacted us ahead of time for the menu and altered for us based on allergies. We enjoyed talking to them throughout the evening and learning about their lives. They also picked us up and drove us to the hills and showed us Florence from afar. We stayed extra late and started earlier, so that shows we had a great time!

My husband and I throughly enjoyed this true Tuscan authentic experience. We like to take a cooking class every time we travel to Italy, this was by far the most unique and a night we won’t forget. Fabio and Christiane are so welcoming in their home and committed to teaching us to cook while educating us on the local customs. The food, wine and conversation made for the perfect last night in Florence.

Cooking with Fabio was a fantastic experience. Fabio and Christiane were amazing hosts Highly recommend this experience. thank you Fabio for your great receipes. Best Wishes from Sandra and Lee Bratt from South Australia

We had a wonderful evening with Fabio and his wife. He showed us how to make pasta, a delicious cuddle fish dish and tiramisu. We then sat down to dinner and had great conversation while enjoying the food we made . I cannot say enough good about this experience. They were very welcoming and hospitable hosts!

I could not have asked for a better experience! It was just me and my now fiancè cooking with Fabio and Christiane. They helped me create the perfect evening to propose. Fabio was so accommodating in planning meals that would not take too long, so we would have light, and he even made the tiramisu have a heart-shaped dusting of cocoa powder. They were more than generous with their time and knowledge, and we learned a lot about Italian cooking.