Private Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine In Maria’s Countryside Home

What is there not to say?! It was a wonderful and educational experience to learn how to cook Tuscan style. Maria gave us easy skills to make our own dishes at home. She was so welcoming and warm and even our non cooking friend loved it! We can’t wait to try some of her recipes. We all got to sit and share the delicious food we helped make. Her home and surrounding countryside was beautiful! Amazing experience that we will never forget! Honestly, we would pay again to spend time and cook with Maria again!

Maria Cristina is an erudite teacher and a wonderful host. Her home is the perfect setting that sets you at ease, extremely cozy and an incredible place you won’t find anywhere else. She scales to your experience and comfort level, letting you get as involved as you’d like at different points throughout. She makes every part of the process simple, but also extremely enjoyable; her explanations are concise and understandable, no matter how familiar you are with the recipe style or in the kitchen as a whole. Above all though, Maria Cristina is an absolutely delightful person to spend an evening with, the meal together (whether with friends, family, partner, or solo) is the best part of the entire experience. If you have any culinary inclinations, or simply love food, beautiful homes, and wonderful conversation, please book this on your trip to Florence. I promise you will not regret it!! - Henry K, Carey K, Leslie H

This experience in Maria's home was the best experience we had in Florence! Firstly, she is an incredibly kind, warm, and welcoming woman. We drank wine, made pasta, and cooked multiple courses. This felt authentically Italian and we were honored to be welcomed into her home and share dinner with her and her husband. Great experience! I highly recommend!

The entire experience with Maria was exceptional. She is so open and kind. We had a chance to see and feel the energy of the market before we left for her home. This exposure to the local vendors and buyers was enjoyable. It was an authentic look the variety of people and food products that were at this local venue each day. Once we arrived at Maria's home we felt especially welcome. The home is tucked in the hills and is very private. The cooking event involved each of us as we shared cooking responsibilities. The instructions were clear and simple and Maria was open to questions along the way. We made dessert, appetizers, our own pasta and a beef loin and potatoes. The meal was served on the patio which had a pergola was covered with grape vines. The view, the company and the food were excellent. We actually felt that this was one of our favorite meals over 18 days in Europe. We would strongly encourage others to take advantage of this local cooking opportunity. Actually it was much more than that. Thanks Maria Sincerely, Bill and Michelle

This was such a fun and authentic experience! Christina is so warm and welcoming and while the cooking lesson is so informative, the conversation and setting are equally as engaging!

If I had only one day in Florence, I would only do this. What an experience to be in an authentic Tuscan Farmhouse with authentic cooking. Maria and her husband were so welcoming, I felt like I was with my relatives having Sunday Dinner. The food was so amazing. No need to add any spices as everything was cooked to perfection. We had an appetizer of salami, proscuitto , and mozzarella. The wine was so amazing. We made homemade pasta with homemade tomato sauce, beef with porcini mushrooms and the best homemade tiramasu you have ever tasted. I can't wait for my next trip to Florence as this will be my first stop. Maria, we just felt so at home in your house, and we thank you for such a beautiful experience.

We had a wonderful experience at Maria Cristina’s cooking class at her beautiful farmhouse in Florence, Italy! The evening was truly special, combining delicious food, wonderful wine, and warm hospitality. We enjoyed beef, handmade pasta, delicious pasta sauce, and tiramisu, all prepared with so much care and absolutely delicious. Cristina and her husband were exceptional hosts who made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Their beautiful farmhouse was a highlight in itself, offering a unique and authentic glimpse into Italian country life and how locals live. This was so much more than a cooking class—it was a memorable cultural experience filled with great food, wine, and genuine Italian hospitality. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Florence who wants to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and a truly special evening!

amazing experience with Maria, who was warm and welcoming! Learning to cook authentic Italian receives and sharing the meal with Maria and her husband Marco in their beautiful 12th century Tuscan home!

This cooking class is a must do for food lovers and those who enjoy cooking! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip and one of the most delicious and memorable meals! Our group of four, husbands and wives, all very much enjoyed our day with Maria. She is so knowledgeable and welcoming. We opted to meet Maria at the local market, where she showed us how to pick the best produce and meats. We then traveled to Maria's beautiful countryside home, where we learned how to make homemade pasta with a delicious yellow pepper sauce, fried zucchini flowers, steak, involtini and tiramisu. She thoroughly explained all the ingredients and where to find them, as well as the proper tools to use. We then enjoyed the perfectly prepared meal and conversing with Maria and her husband on their beautiful patio overlooking the countryside. Maria provided us with the recipes and detailed information on the ingredients and cooking tools, so that we can easily prepare the meals at home. I would highly recommend this experience!

Maria and Marco were extremely hospitable in welcoming us into their home. Maria explained all the dishes as we made them. and we enjoyed sitting out on their patio enjoying the food and conversation. She walked us through the central market which was fabulous and with her knowledge we learned more about the local culture and foods.

The cooking class with Maria exceeding our expectations! This was the biggest highlight of our honeymoon trip and cannot recommend it enough. Maria is so down-to-earth and invites you into her countrywide Florence home. She is patient with you, involving you as much as you want to be included. You make a delicious meal, while she gets to know you more. I will go back to Florence just to see Maria again.

Was one of our best days of our Italy trip, great market experience, the drive to our host's lovely and scenic home , excellent hands on cooking and enjoyable lunch and conversation with Maria and husband made for a wonderful day. She even emailed the recipes for what we cooked along with several of her other favorites.

Maria was a great host and instructor! My wife and I enjoyed our trip to the market and the wonderful cooking experience at her home, north of Florence! The pasta was so fresh and the pepper sauce we made was delicious! Our lunch in the Tuscan country side was exquisite, highly recommend!

Maria was absolutely amazing! She welcomed us into her beautiful home and taught us how to make the most delicious dishes. We really enjoyed having an evening in the countryside. This experience was one of our favorite parts of our trip!

Incredible evening with Maria in her rustic home. She was so welcoming as if we were visiting a long time friend and of course the food was incredible and I can’t wait to make her recipes for our family and friends. Hands down our most enjoyable part of our time in Florence

This was by far my family's favorite part of our trip to Italy! Every part of the day was great! Meeting Maria at the farmers market and touring it with her, the drive to the countryside and cooking with her was truly an unforgettable day. Our youngest son did the cooking with Maria and she was so gracious and kind. Plus, she spoke of her architecture experience with our eldest. Something for everyone! Her house is beautiful and she was the ultimate hostess! We were blown away by the entire day and our friends planning on visiting Italy next year are already planning to book this with her! She literally is one of the most interesting and kind person we've ever met! Thank you Maria for the unforgettable memories!!!

What a lovely authentic experience! My husband and I enjoyed this morning and afternoon excursion (approximately 6 hours) vey much. The day started with a tour of the oldest market in Florence where Maria purchased fresh food for our custom menu. We enjoyed a cappuccino and pastry while she told us about the market. The day then continued with a scenic drive back to Maria's beautiful Tuscan home. The cooking class was fun and informative. The food was delicious. Maria shared the recipes and links for the ingredients so that we could replicate the meal at home. Maria was such a gracious hostess; we felt as though we were visiting an old friend. What a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of travel and touring. I would highly recommend this experience!

Unbelievable experience. Maria was the best. Beautiful house, great food, and she was so generous with our entire family.

Fantastic experience. Not inexpensive, but with a wonderful host and such a unique experience I would recommend Maria was warm and fun, and made the experience hands on for all of us. The house is amazing and a great departure from the busy city scene. Food was delicious. Highly recommend

This experience was the highlight of our family’s trip! Maria Christina was fantastic! From the moment we met her at the market in Florence she made us feel at home. Her countryside home is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. It was like stepping back in time. The food was amazing, and she was a great teacher! She shared with us old family recipes and everything was made with pride and love, and you could taste that in each bite. All of us can’t wait to make the recipes again, or at least attempt to live up to what she made! lol! Thank you Christina from the bottom of all of hearts for giving us all one of the most memorable days as a family, and cheers to making new friends (even the bees and hornets)! 😉

Maria’s home is beautiful! We had so much fun. She was so kind d and felt like family by the end of the evening. I have never made homemade pasta before. It was so much fun. The tiramisu was the best I’ve ever tasted! This experience was definitely a highlight of our Florence trip!

Our cooking class in the hills of Florence was a highlight of our trip. Maria Christina was incredibly welcoming, kind, and patient, making the experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. She taught us how to make fresh gluten-free pasta, homemade sauce, beef filet, and tiramisu, guiding us every step of the way. Everything was delicious, but what made it truly special was her warmth and passion for teaching. An authentic and unforgettable experience—I highly recommend it!

My husband and I traveled to Italy to celebrate my 40th birthday, and the day we spent cooking with Maria was actually on my birthday. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect way to celebrate it. From the moment I met Maria, I instantly knew it was going to be a wonderful evening. She picked us up and drove us through the beautiful hills of Tuscany to her gorgeous countryside home, which felt like something out of a dream. During the class, we learned how to make fresh pasta, a delicious sauce, tiramisu, bruschetta, fried zucchini flowers (my favorite — and she even stopped on the way to her home to pick some up for me!), and more. Everything was absolutely delicious, but what made the experience truly special was Maria herself. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and so welcoming. She made us feel completely comfortable from the start and kept such great conversation throughout the evening. She even bought a bottle of sparkling wine to help celebrate my birthday, which was such a thoughtful touch. This was honestly one of the highlights of our trip and such a memorable experience. Thank you, Maria, for hosting us and sharing your home, your cooking, and your kindness with us. I truly hope that someday I’ll return to Italy and have the pleasure of cooking with you again! Gina

Marie was amazing. She welcomed us into her beautiful country home with open arms. The cooking class was so informative and the food delicious.

This was an absolute amazing experience. Maria was the nicest and best teacher and her home is beautiful. We made so much delicious food and seemed so easy. She provided tips, tricks and tools that we used and we got to enjoy eating it all with Maria out on her patio. It was such a great day. We started at the Market and that was the biggest market with all kinds of food, oils, grains, cheese etc. everything you could think of! The whole day was a highlight of our Florence trip for sure.

We had an incredible time learning to cook with Maria just outside the heart of Florence in the countryside. We met Maria at the market, and we picked up a few tips from her, as well as items for our meal. She then drove up to her home, which was built in the 1200s. It was an unforgettable afternoon, making authentic dishes in her beautiful kitchen and sitting outside on her terrace to eat our delicious meal. There is no doubt that when we come back to Florence, we will do it again, just to hang with her!

Skip the large pasta making/cooking classes in the city and join Cristina for this wonderful experience. This was one of the most authentic activities we have participated in during our trip. Cristina takes you to the “locals” market instead of the larger one for tourists. She takes great care to choose produce in season while also considering the guests’ preferences. Her home is beautiful and cozy in the countryside. She is a wonderful host and very knowledgable.

I highly recommend this tour for a unique opportunity to experience Florence and their daily lives where you feel part of the family and not just a tourist. We strolled through the market and Maria explained about all their fruits, vegetables and meats describing the best food for their Italian dishes. Before departing to her home we enjoyed the best cappuccino we have had on our trip. The drive to her home took us into the beautiful countryside and almost back in time to see her unique villa that she personally renovated. There she teaches you about Tuscan cuisine and you can cook alongside her or just enjoy the experience and marvelous food. Maria is a superb hostess and this tour is truly unique in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Myself and my two best friends of 50 years went on this excursion. Maria’s home is beautiful. We made fresh ravioli with fresh sheep ricotta and lemon zest, chicken with prosciutto and cheese. We made tiramisu for dessert. I would highly recommend this excursion. She provided us with each recipe. We drank the most delicious white and red wines. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and it is not to be missed? Ciao!

Cooking with Maria is exactly as described! What a delightful day in the Italian countryside. We started off in the local market where Maria guided us around as she shopped for the produce for our menu. It all happened in real time. She said they had zucchini flowers and asked if we were interested in frying some up and of course we were! That was on my bucket list to try so it was a big YES from us. We browsed the market and met people. We went to the spice counter, tried lots of different things and bought what we were interested in (I got olive oil, a lemon extract for salads and some perfume made in Italy). We then shopped at the meat booth and cheese booth. The cheese vendor let us try several different cheeses. They were amazing. There was a truffle cheese that was out of this world. We headed out the market and loaded into Maria’s car. It was me, my dad, and another couple who we got to be friends with. Maria only takes 4 people max so it’s an intimate fun setting. Maria was very accommodating. My dad sometimes needs a wheelchair and we were able to bring it with us in the car. The drive out to her house was beautiful. She gave us a tour of her home. We cooked, we ate, drank coffee, drank wine, made pasta, made tiramisu. She accommodated the other guest as well who was gluten free. We made so many dishes. We set the table and then all shared dinner together. The cooking class with the market is as advertised. We started at 10am and we were dropped off at 5pm. She was a wonderful host and made our Italy trip very memorable. She also emailed all the recipes afterwards. I would highly recommend this experience if you are looking for authenticity, intimacy, Italian countryside, and a relaxed cooking environment. Thank you Maria!

We had the best time with Maria as we got to experience the market, a beautiful drive out of Florence, her stunning home in the country and delicious food she taught us to make. She gave us options while at the market and what we made was nothing short of delicious and filled with love! Eating our lunch on her terrace allowed us to soak in all the beauty and charm. We can’t recommend this experience more highly! Maria is a gem!

Our cooking class in Florence with Maria was a highlight of our trip to Italy. It was so nice to get out out of the city and see the lovely countryside. Maria's house is beautiful and with her warm personality one feels immediately welcomed and at home. The meal prep was not only informative but also fun. The shared meal was delicious and one feels as if they are around a table with friends. Highly recommend this experience to other travelers. I hope to return on a future visit to Italy for another class.

Our cooking class with Maria was the highlight of our trip to Florence! Her home in the Tuscan countryside is beautiful and it was lovely to see the landscape outside of the city. Maria is warm and welcoming and one feels immediately at home. The cooking class prep is informative and fun. The meal shared with our host was not only tasty but felt as if we were friends around a table spending a memorable afternoon together. This excursion is highly recommended!

This was one of the best experiences we have had done while traveling. Maria is just the best and her home is spectacular. Highly recommend!

The evening was exactly what we hoped for. Maria was an incredible host and her home is spectacularly Tuscan (just as we imagined). Not only did we help prepare and learn about our delicious meal but learned so much from Maria. The evening was a treasure and very memorable. Highly recommend.

Maria is the best! So personable, beautiful country home and fantastic chef! We learned so much and loved it all!

Maria was such a great cooking teacher and host . She treats you like family . We really enjoyed the entire experience . You start the day meeting Maria at the best food market in Florence Mercato Centrale (San Lorenzo): where she educates you on the foods, ingredients , and culture . Then you drive back with her to her stunning countryside villa where she gives you a cooking class . Maria’s teaching style was perfect . She explains everything very simple and makes you feel confident that you can cook the dishes yourself . We really enjoyed the meal and conversation. I am still thinking about the fresh pasta we made . She drives you back to Florence and even sends you some of her treasured recipes. I highly recommend this cooking class with Maria if you visit Florence .

Dinner with Maria was the highlight of our trip to Florence! My cousin and I brought our 18 year old daughters and we had so much fun being in Maria’s picturesque mountain home, making a beautiful Italian meal, and dancing with Maria in her first Tik Tok! It was a perfect night!

We had an amazing time with Christina. She is the kindest and sweetest lady. She has a beautiful home and this was an amazing experience. We learned how to cook some amazing food. Our dinner was absolutely amazing. Words can’t describe how great this experience was for my family. Highly recommend!

This cooking experience was fantastic! Maria was so sweet, the food was delicious and her house was really cool! It’s a great way to get out of the city for a few minutes and enjoy the countryside. We made pasta from scratch, meatballs, dessert and some delicious appetizers. Maria is warm and kind and a terrific hostess. Highly recommend!!

A wonderful experience. Maria Cristina picked us up in town and drove us out to her gorgeous home in a totally serene environment, in the hills to the north of the city, only about 10km away. The cooking was perfect, with our 10-year old daughter taking the lead role for several activities, with Cristina alongside giving guidance along the way. Lunch was delicious and included "green food" ... a world first for a 10-year old to enjoy! After lunch Cristina drove us back to the city. This is so much more than a cooking class, this is a not-to-be-missed experience.

Cooking with Maria in her beautiful home was a highlight of our trip to Florence. We enjoyed every minute from the ride through the Tuscan countryside to her beautiful home, to her wonderful instruction and cooking lesson, and of course the amazing meal together. Maria is a warm and wonderful host. Her home is gorgeous with so many beautiful touches. The pasta lesson, as well as taking part in preparing the delicious meal was fun for everyone. Great conversation, food and wine made for a memorable and magical evening.

Wow! Our travel agent suggested this experience for my husband and me during our 3 days in Florence. Yes, we toured the magnificent historical sites in Florence, but cooking with Maria in her home was definitely a highlight, also! We taxied from our hotel to the designated pick-up point where Maria met us and shared interesting stories about the area as we drove to her historic and beautiful country home. (Mitchel, the cat, greeted us outside and apparently approved of our arrival!). After donning our aprons, we quickly felt like family in Maria's kitchen with her as we chopped, kneaded, and sauteed. The aromas were intoxicating. We knew our tastebuds were in for a treat. We're normally not huge fans of pasta but let me tell you... that there is nothing like homemade pasta that Maria taught us to make ourselves! Incredible! A lovely bottle of wine complimented the delicious multi-course meal. While devouring the best-ever tiramisu (that we had made) for dessert, it was enjoyable to relax, linger and chat with Maria around her kitchen table. Felt like family! All too soon, it was time to head back to our hotel. We will long savor this incredible experience with Maria in her home and look forward to making some of her recipes that she already emailed to us! We highly recommend this not-to-be-missed cooking experience with Maria in her lovely country home!

Maria was a wonderful host! Met us at the market where we shopped for fresh ingredients for our meal. Drove us to her house where we had wine while preparing our food and then enjoyed an amazing meal. This is a hands on experience under her guidance , not one where you sit back and just watch her prepare the food for you. We made pasta noodles from scratch and learned so much. Maria truly cares about her clients and goes out of her way to make this an experience you will never forget.

Amazing excursion. Maria was very knowledgeable, welcoming, informative. Would highly recommend!

The most amazing experience!!! It was a dream, we felt like adopted family. Maria is AMAZING don’t think twice book it now!!!

A beautiful culinary experience one-on-one with Maria in her heavenly mountain home. Simply a paradise. Great recipes. Lots of learning. Fresh pasta, tasty and unique bruschetta and we still can't believe we created a tiramisu that was a delight. If you want a close-up trip through a lively Florence market and a cooking class you'll talk about for a long time complete with recipes and links to products, this foodie experience is for you. The fee was fair. The length of the visit was just right and we could have stayed longer. the class size was just me and my wife. and this is a class that will help one be even smarter in the kitchen. Thank you, Maria!!!

My wife and I loved this experience! Maria is a gem and her home, which she restored (she's a retired architect), is gorgeous. We learned so much from her about Italian cooking and culture. Shopping at the market to select ingredients was so much fun. It was an absolute highlight of our trip, and I can't wait to recreate some of her delicious recipes.

Christina (Maria) was the most gracious host we could have asked for. This tour was everything and much more than we expected. What an amazing day it was, learning about Florence and the surrounding countryside. The drive into the country was beautiful, as was her home. We learned and cooked several wonderful authentic recipes. The meal was delicious and we look forward to replicating the recipes and techniques at home (she provided us with her recipes and links to her cooking equipmemt). The morning trip to the local market was a fabulous addition to learn about the culture and the Florentine specialties. We learned where to buy fresh produce, and preferred meat and cheeses. We were also able to taste and buy some delicious parmegiano cheese that they vacuum packed for us to bring home. Christina was a wonderful hostess and made this day spectacular. Anyone interested in the local culture and cooking should take this tour. It was a special day for our family that will be remembered forever.