Nonna's Cooking Class & Market Tour in Florence
Discover the original Italian cooking class in Florence! For over twenty years, travelers have gathered around our kitchen tables to cook, laugh, and taste their way through real Italian tradition. It’s the kind of experience you’ll talk about long after you’re back home.
If you’re looking for more than just a class - if you want a true Italian food experience in Florence, inspired by authentic nonna’s traditions - this is where it begins.
What to Expect
From Florence’s market stalls to a table filled with nonna’s classics
f you’re looking for Florence at its most authentic, it begins in the vibrant food market and comes to life in our kitchen. Join our professional chefs for a hands-on journey from the colorful stalls of a historic food market in Florence to a joyful toast around the table. Perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers, this cooking class in Florence brings people together in the most genuine - and Italian - way. Roll up your sleeves, taste as you go, and immerse yourself in the heart of Italian cooking, where recipes tell stories, meals turn into celebrations, and traditions that made Italian cuisine one of the most celebrated in the world - and also recently recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Meet the Heart of Florence at the Food Market
The vibrant pulse of Florence beats strongest at the historic Central Market, where the daily ritual of the Italian "spesa" unfolds. Picture yourself wandering a sea of colors and aromas, learning to spot the freshest seasonal ingredients that make our cuisine world-famous. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself chatting with the butcher about the best cut of meat or asking the greengrocer for the secret to the sweetest tomatoes. As you navigate between the stalls with your small group, you’ll enjoy authentic tastings of regional specialties. It’s here that the secret to the UNESCO-recognized Italian Cuisine reveals itself, which is not just a recipe, but the quality of the raw materials and the passion of the people who produce them. It’s an energetic, sensory introduction to the flavors you’re about to transform into a masterpiece back at our school.
Cook the Legend: Nonna’s Sunday Lasagna
Roll up your sleeves and get your hands messy! Back in our kitchen, the air is thick with the scent of simmering ragù and the cozy energy of an Italian home. You aren’t just making a meal, you’re mastering the "holy grails" of tradition: Nonna’s Sunday Lasagna and authentic Tiramisù. Our expert chefs share the secrets passed down through generations, guiding you and your small group with a 100% hands-on approach. Feel the golden dough take shape as you knead it and learn the art of layering velvety béchamel, just like Nonna would. Then, while the lasagna turns bubbly and golden in the oven, dive into the world of sweets. Dip ladyfingers into rich espresso and whip up a cloud-like mascarpone cream, recreating the flavor that defines Italian childhood. Under the watchful eye of our pros, you’ll transform simple ingredients into a UNESCO-worthy treasure, flavored with the love of Nonna’s kitchen and the love of a true Italian family.
Join The Family Table: Wine, Laughter, and Tradition
Just like a Sunday at Nonna’s, everything comes together around the table.. Gather around and feel the warmth of the room as glasses clink and stories start to flow. It's finally time to share a meal you created from scratch, enjoying the intimacy of your small group. Savor your handmade lasagna, perfectly paired with a selection of Chianti wine, in a festive atmosphere. Indulge in that creamy, cocoa-dusted Tiramisù you whipped to perfection, sharing stories and laughter with your fellow chefs. We’ll toast to your success with a fun "graduation" ceremony, handing you an official certificate that celebrates your journey, a moment you’ll definitely want to frame and keep.
And when you head home, the story keeps going. You’ll receive our digital recipe booklet, so you can recreate the dishes whenever the craving hits. Not just ingredients and instructions, but the little touches that make them truly Italian.
Join us, the pioneers who launched Florence’s first cooking class 20 years ago for a 100% hands-on journey into the heart of Italian tradition. Master Nonna’s authentic Sunday Lasagna, a true UNESCO treasure, in a convivial small group where every detail feels like home.
Itinerary
The meeting point is in our Cooking School in the heart of Florence, via Panicale 43r, close to the Central Market.
The Original Cooking School in Florence: Begin your experience at the first and original cooking school in Florence, a place shaped by two decades of passion for Italian culinary tradition.
From Market to Table: Start at Florence’s most iconic food market, where the ingredients, aromas, and rhythms of daily life reveal the essence of Italian cooking before the experience moves to the table.
Hands-On with Local Chefs: Cook side by side with local chefs in a fully hands-on class, where every step is part of the experience and nothing is simply observed from afar.
Nonna’s Lasagna Tradition: Learn how to prepare Nonna’s traditional lasagna, a handmade dish that reflects the richness of Italian home cooking and the value of recipes passed down through generations.
A Florentine Ritual to Remember: From the market visit to the final meal, the class follows the full Italian ritual of choosing, preparing, and sharing food in a warm and convivial atmosphere.
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FAQ
What is included in this cooking class and market tour in Florence?
The experience includes a guided visit to the Central Market, tastings of seasonal products, a hands-on cooking class with a professional chef, preparation of Nonna’s Lasagna and Tiramisù, use of ingredients and tools, the full meal, a graduation certificate, and a complimentary Florence Walking Tour after booking.
Where is the meeting point in Florence?
The meeting point is at Via Panicale 43r, at the Cooking School near the Central Market of Florence.
How long does the experience last?
The class lasts approximately 5 hours.
Is it a private or shared experience?
This is a shared small-group experience with up to 20 participants. A private upgrade is also available.
How many people join the class?
The group is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
What dishes are prepared during the class?
Guests prepare Nonna’s Lasagna from scratch with fresh pasta, Bolognese ragù, and béchamel, followed by authentic Tiramisù.
Is the market visit included?
Yes, the experience begins with a guided visit to the Central Market of Florence, including tastings of typical seasonal products.
Do I need cooking experience?
The page presents the class as a fully guided hands-on experience led by professional chefs, making it suitable even for travelers who simply want to experience Italian cooking in an approachable way.
Is the meal included?
Yes. Guests enjoy a full meal with the lasagna and tiramisù prepared during the class.
How do I get there?
Guests are expected to reach the Cooking School independently. No transfer service is listed on the source page.
Are skip-the-line tickets included?
No. This is a cooking class with a market visit, not a museum or monument entry experience.
Is the experience suitable for families?
Yes. The page labels the experience as family-friendly.
Is the experience accessible?
The source page I found does not specify accessibility details for the shared version, so I would avoid adding promises here. The only confirmed detail is the meeting point at the cooking school in Via Panicale 43r.
Is there a dress code?
No specific dress code is indicated on the source page.
What is the cancellation policy?
The experience offers free cancellation. The source page excerpt does not show the exact cutoff window, so I would keep the wording general unless you want me to verify it more deeply.
Does the class run in bad weather?
Yes, the experience runs rain or shine.
Will I receive recipes or a certificate after the class?
Yes, the experience includes a graduation certificate, and the page also refers to taking recipes home through the class materials.
How does the complimentary Florence Walking Tour work?
After booking, guests receive a confirmation email with a discount code to reserve the complimentary Florence Walking Tour, subject to available dates and time slots.
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Free Cancellation
Any cancellation fee depends on the specific tour; see the 'Cancellation policy' for timelines and charges.