Florence Market Tour & Traditional Tuscan Cooking Class

Florence Market Tour & Traditional Tuscan Cooking - Class description

San Lorenzo Florence Market and Cooking Class

Join us for a unique culinary adventure in the heart of Tuscany! Our Florence Market Tour & Traditional Tuscan Cooking Class offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the local food culture and master authentic Tuscan recipes.

Start your journey with a friendly, English-speaking guide at the Florence central market. Explore stalls brimming with farm-fresh produce, quality meats, and artisanal cheeses. Gain insights into Tuscan traditions and ingredients during this engaging tour. Stroll through the vibrant city center and the charming San Frediano neighborhood. Known for its artisan shops, charming streets, and lively atmosphere, San Frediano offers a glimpse into authentic Florentine life. Arrive at MaMa Florence Cooking School.

Authentic Tuscan Cuisine at MaMa Florence Cooking School

At MaMa Florence Cooking School, you'll meet your English-speaking chef for a hands-on cooking class. Learn hands-on the culinary techniques and traditions of the Cucina Povera – peasant kitchen – as you create a delectable menu of traditional Tuscan dishes from appetizer to dessert, using high-quality ingredients and emphasizing the importance of cooking from scratch. Enjoy making new friends in the convivial atmosphere of MaMa Florence, as you cook and delve into the rich culinary history of Tuscany. 

 

What you'll learn during your Tuscan menu cooking class

Dishes of Cucina Povera in this Cooking Class

Tuscan cuisine is world-famous, but did you know its most important dishes come from Cucina Povera, the "poor kitchen"? This culinary tradition originates from Tuscan sharecropping farmers who used limited resources to create nutritious and filling foods. Out of necessity, old bread and vegetable and meat scraps were transformed into delicious dishes like ribollita and panzanella.

Some iconic Tuscan dishes that may be part of the 4 -course menu you will prepare and savor:

• Panzanella: A refreshing bread salad made with stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and basil, dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
• Ribollita: A hearty vegetable and bread soup, traditionally made with leftover vegetables and beans, reheated until thick and flavorful.
• Pappardelle: Wide, flat pasta ribbons often served with rich, meaty sauces like wild boar ragu.
• Tortelli Mugellani: Potato-filled pasta squares from the Mugello region, usually served with a hearty meat sauce or simply with butter and sage.
• Ravioli Maremmani: Traditional Tuscan ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, often served with a butter and sage sauce.
• Cecina: A savory chickpea flour pancake, crispy on the outside and soft inside, often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer.
• Pollo alla Cacciatora: Chicken cooked hunter-style with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs, creating a robust and comforting dish.
• Polpette: Tuscan-style meatballs, typically made with beef or pork, breadcrumbs, and herbs, simmered in a savory tomato sauce.
• Cantuccini: Crunchy almond biscotti, perfect for dipping in Vin Santo wine.

What You'll Master with Your Expert Chefs:

Immerse yourself in the rich culinary traditions of Tuscany and learn to prepare these classic dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients and time-honored techniques. Explore the essentials of traditional Tuscan cooking with hands-on techniques and expert guidance in the following areas:

• Ingredient Selection: Understand how to choose specific ingredients for various traditional Tuscan dishes.
• Dough Techniques: Learn the secrets to mixing and kneading dough to achieve the ideal texture and flavor for pasta.
• Tuscan Pasta Crafting: Perfect the art of making pasta with or without eggs, and shape it into forms like pappardelle or gnocchi.
• Sauce Mastery: Discover how to create the best sauces to complement your homemade pasta and other Tuscan dishes.
• Seasonal Appetizers: Learn to make fresh, seasonal appetizers such as bruschetta or crostini to enhance your Tuscan menu.
• Delicious Desserts: Master the creation of mouthwatering desserts like cantuccini or tiramisu to perfectly conclude your Tuscan meal.

 

Savor a Complete 4-course Seated Tuscan Meal of Your Culinary Creations

An opportunity to meet new friends from around the globe

At Mama Florence, sharing around the table embodies the spirit of friendship, love, and creating lasting memories with people from around the globe. This philosophy reflects the essence of the real person behind Mama Florence, who is the soul of the place. The culinary experiences here are designed to connect individuals from different places and cultures through delicious food, heartfelt conversations, and cultural exchanges. Each meal is an opportunity to bond, celebrate togetherness, and build a sense of community, making every dining experience a cherished memory.

Sit down and share your 4-course meal

After crafting delectable homemade gnocchi under the guidance of our expert chefs, sit down with your newly made friends to savor the culinary creations from the group class. This tasting meal will include:

• A seasonal  appetizer
• Freshly made pasta dish
• A sauce for the pasta
• A main course
• A delicious dessert

Each dish is perfectly paired with three fine wines: a bubbly, a white, and a red, enhancing the flavors and providing a truly social and immersive dining experience. Enjoy socializing and having fun with fellow food enthusiasts as you share this memorable meal and celebrate your newfound skills.

What's included in your Florence Market Tour & Traditional Tuscan Cooking Class

• Guided market walk with English-speaking guide before your cooking class
• Tastings during your walk
• Gorgeous, Spacious Air-Conditioned Gullo Kitchen: Enjoy cooking in our beautifully designed, comfortable kitchen.
• Hands-On Cooking Class: Learn from experienced and engaging professional chefs.
• High Quality, locally Sourced, Sustainable Ingredients: Use the finest ingredients for your dishes.
• Use of Aprons and Tools: Aprons and tools are provided (apron purchasable on-site at an extra cost).
• Preparation of a 4-Course Menu:
  • Appetizer
  • Fresh pasta 
  • Pasta sauce
  • Main meat or vegetarian course 
  • Dessert
• Full Meal of Prepared Dishes: Enjoy your creations with seated table service.
• Prosecco to Start Your Meal: Begin your dining experience with a glass of Prosecco.
• Wine Pairings:
  • Fine Italian white wine to pair with your appetizer or first course
  • Fine Italian red wine to pair with your second course
• E-Recipes: Receive electronic recipes of all the dishes you've prepared, sent to your inbox.
• Class Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours, including the meal.
• 22% VAT Tax: Included in the price.

Important notes

• Shared Kitchen and Tools: Our kitchen and tools are shared by participants. Cross-contamination is possible. Classes are NOT suitable for individuals with SEVERE or life-threatening allergies. Please prioritize safety before enrolling.
• Dietary Requirements:
  • Vegetarian Options: Can be easily accommodated.
  • Other Dietary Needs: For vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free requirements, please inquire prior to booking.
• Minimum Enrollment:
  • General: A minimum enrollment of 3 people is required for course activation.
  • Sundays: A minimum enrollment of 5 people is required.
  • Options if Minimum Not Met: If the minimum is not reached, you will have the option to:
    • Pay an additional fee to reach minimum
    • Make the class private
    • Change to another available date
    • Receive a full refund
• Special Requests: If a specific class is not listed on our calendar, let us know and we will try to activate it for your desired date.
• Seasonal Ingredients: We use fresh, seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers and farms. The cooking class menu will vary depending on what is available that day.
• Allergies and Preferences: It is essential to email us ahead of time with any food allergies or preferences so we can verify if we can accommodate them.
• Private Classes: If you would like to make this a private class for you and your group, please get in touch for details.

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