Pesto & Pasta Cooking Class at Mama Florence

Basil Pine nut Italin Pesto and Fresh Pasta in Florence

Join us at Mama Florence for a delightful culinary exploration where you will master the traditional Italian craft of making fresh Italian Basil and pine nut pesto and homemade pasta. Set in the charming city of Florence, our class offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of authentic Italian flavors and cooking techniques.

What is Italian Pesto?

Italian pesto, specifically Pesto alla Genovese, is a traditional sauce from Genoa in the Liguria region. It's made by blending fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and Pecorino cheese with olive oil. The result is a fragrant, green sauce typically served with pasta, but also used in a variety of other dishes for its vibrant flavor and aroma.

Pesto Preparation

• Traditional Techniques: Learn to make authentic Pesto alla Genovese from scratch using fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, Pecorino, and olive oil. This chapter will provide you with the essential methods to create this classic Italian sauce.
• Ingredient Selection: Understand the importance of selecting high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Discover how each ingredient contributes to the perfect pesto.

Pasta Making

• Dough Preparation: Master the art of creating perfect pasta dough using traditional methods. This chapter covers the techniques needed to prepare smooth, elastic dough.
• Pasta Shapes: Learn to craft various pasta shapes such as trofie, tagliatelle, and more. Explore the different forms of pasta and how they pair with pesto.

Culinary Skills

• Sauce Pairing: Discover how to pair your freshly made pesto with different pasta dishes. Learn the best combinations to enhance the flavors of your pasta.
• Hands-On Experience: Engage in a practical, hands-on learning environment with guidance from expert chefs. This chapter ensures you gain confidence and skill in your culinary journey.

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 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 Enjoy Your 4-Course Meal

After crafting delectable homemade pesto and pasta 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 dishes
• A filled pasta
• Pesto alla Genovese
• A second sauce for your pasta
• 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.

• 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
  • Fresh Pesto alla genovese 
  • Filled fresh pasta
  • Second pasta sauce
  • 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.
• VAT Tax: Included in the price.

• 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.