Why Choose Mama Florence Cooking Class?

The Original Mama Florence: Often Imitated, Never Duplicated

If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany and searching for the best cooking class in Florence, you’ve likely come across many options. But one name stands out—and has for over a decade: Mama Florence. Founded in 2012, Mama Florence was the first professional cooking school in Florence designed for foodies.Today, it remains the gold standard in the city—often imitated, never duplicated. Here’s why Mama Florence continues to be the most authentic and trusted choice for culinary experiences in Florence.

What Makes Mama Florence Different from Other Cooking Classes in Florence?

Founded by Vanessa Held, Mama Florence was a pioneer, combining hands-on instruction in English with professional chefs, top-quality ingredients, and stunning hospitality spaces. Many other schools have since copied our “mama” name and style—but none offer the depth, quality, or integrity of the original.

Is Mama Florence a Tourist Trap?

Absolutely not. Mama Florence is a licensed, fully equipped cooking school—not a pop-up pasta class in someone’s rental kitchen. We offer:

Top quality ingredients
Elegant teaching spaces
Professional kitchens
Air-conditioned comfort
Private dining rooms
Seated plated meals
Quality wine paring to accompany yor meal
A wine cellar and a patio garden for your aperitivo
Full-time chefs and trained hospitality staff
We don’t cut corners, and we don’t crowd guests into rushed, impersonal experiences. We focus on quality, service, and connection.

What Type of Traveler Is Mama Florence Perfect For?

If you’re a curious, discerning traveler who appreciates:

Exceptional food and wine
Local culture and authentic storytelling
High-end service and comfort
A real connection to Tuscan traditions
… then Mama Florence is for you.

Our guests are people who don’t mind paying a little more for something real and meaningful—not a photo op and a pasta ball.

What Can I Expect from a Mama Florence Cooking Class?

Every experience at Mama Florence includes:

🧑‍🍳 Expert instruction from professional chefs and sommeliers
🍅 Fresh, seasonal ingredients from local Tuscan producers
🍷 Curated wine tastings paired with your meal
🏛️ Stunning venue: private dining rooms, wine cellar, garden patio, AC
🛍️ On-site gift shop with olive oils, sauces, cookbooks, and local wine
📚 Printed recipes to take home and recreate your meal

Is This the Same as Other “Mama” Cooking Classes in Florence?

No. Mama Florence is the original. Since 2012, many others have copied our name, branding, and even visual style. But we are:

Independently owned
Staffed by full-time professionals
Built on deep roots in Florence and Tuscany

We don't just offer a service—we offer a philosophy of hospitality, knowledge, and love for Italian food culture.

The Know-How Behind Mama Florence

Mama Florence is not just a cooking school—it is a place where knowledge, experience, and personal stories come together. What guests experience at the table and in the kitchen is the result of years of professional work, international exposure, and a shared belief in the cultural value of Italian food.

Vanessa Held: Agronomy, Olive Oil, and a Global Food Perspective

At the core of Mama Florence is Vanessa Held, whose background combines scientific training, long-term professional experience, and a deeply human approach to food and hospitality.

Vanessa holds a degree with honors in Agronomy and Forestry from the University of Florence, with a specialization in olive oil production—a field that requires both technical expertise and a deep understanding of land, climate, and agricultural tradition. Her relationship with food therefore begins well before the kitchen, rooted in soil, raw materials, and the landscapes that shape Italian cuisine.

With over 25 years of experience in the wine, food, and travel industries, Vanessa has worked with people from around the world: producers, chefs, educators, travelers, and cultural institutions. She has planted, built, imagined, and developed projects across these fields, including the creation and establishment of a wine and food magazine, reflecting her belief in food as culture, storytelling, and shared knowledge—not just consumption.

This combination of academic rigor, hands-on experience, and international perspective informs Mama Florence today: a place where Italian cooking is taught with depth, respect, and a strong connection between agriculture, culture, and the table.

Stefano: Head Chef and Culinary Guide

Leading the kitchen is Stefano, whose approach to teaching reflects both technical rigor and generosity. As head chef, Stefano translates Italian culinary tradition into a hands-on experience that is clear, engaging, and respectful of ingredients.

Born into a family of fervent food enthusiasts, hailing from Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna region's food capital, he personifies the passion and heritage that Italian cooking embodies. With an unwavering commitment to his roots, he brings the rich traditions of Emilia's egg pasta to life in every dish he creates.

His teaching style focuses on why things are done a certain way—not just how—allowing guests to truly understand pasta, sauces, and techniques rather than simply replicate gestures.

A Team Built on Professional Experience

Mama Florence is supported by a team of culinary professionals with years of experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and high-level kitchens around the world. This international background brings discipline, organization, and attention to detail, while remaining deeply rooted in Italian food culture.

Each member of the team contributes specific expertise—whether in technique, service, storytelling, or hospitality—ensuring that every class runs smoothly and maintains the same high standards, regardless of group size or format.

Knowledge Shared, Not Performed

What defines Mama Florence is the idea that cooking knowledge should be shared, not staged. The team’s collective experience is never used to impress, but to guide—creating an environment where guests feel confident, involved, and respected.

This is how know-how arrives at Mama Florence: through people, through experience, and through a commitment to teaching Italian cuisine as a living cultural practice, not a tourist performance.

Why a SAB License Matters for Cooking Schools in Florence

What Is a SAB License in Italy?

The SAB (Somministrazione di Alimenti e Bevande - Food and beverage service permit) is an official license required in Italy to legally serve food and beverages to the public.

Why Is a SAB License important?

It ensures that any establishment — from a café to a cooking school — adheres to strict standards for hygiene, food safety, and staff training. Holding a SAB license means complying with Italian law and offering a fully professional and safe hospitality experience.

Why Many Cooking Schools Don’t Have One

Despite the legal requirements, many cooking schools in Florence operate without a SAB license. They often classify themselves as informal or private experiences to avoid regulatory controls. This not only puts guests at risk but also sidesteps the standards that protect consumers and ensure food safety in Italy.

Mama Florence Sets the Standard

At Mama Florence, we are proud to be one of the few cooking schools in Florence that operates with a valid SAB license. It’s part of our commitment to transparency, professionalism, and delivering truly authentic and safe culinary experiences. From wine service to plated meals, every part of your experience is designed to meet the highest Italian hospitality standards.

Final Thoughts: Choose the Original. Choose Mama Florence.

When you book a cooking class with Mama Florence, you’re choosing:

A true culinary experience—not a gimmick
The original school that helped shape Florence’s food tourism
A place built with care, love, and a commitment to doing things right

Whether it’s your first visit to Italy or your fifth, Mama Florence is a place where food, people, and culture come together beautifully.

Book the best cooking class in Florence.
Book the original.
Book Mama Florence.