Authentic Culinary Experience in a Tuscan Family Estate

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Florence, Italy

5 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

With family recipes handed down the generations, food is a huge part of Tuscany’s culture—but bringing the best out of the ingredients at hand takes practise. On this cooking class, roll your sleeves up and delve into the world of Italian cuisine. With helpful guidance from your instructor, master a traditional 5-course menu you can take back home with you. When the cooking is done, enjoy the delicious lunch you’ve created.

Hands-on cookery class in Chianti, Tuscany
Prepare a 5-course Italian lunch with your instructor
Learn of the role food plays in Tuscan culture and society
Lunch and refreshments are included on this cookery class

Sample Menu

Starter

Focaccia con la Salvia

Focaccia Bread with Sage Leaves, Picked Fresh From the Kitchen Garden

Main

Gnocchi di Patate con Sugo di Pomodoro Fresco

Home Made Potato Gnocchi with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Main

Polpettine al Limone

Lemon Scented Meat Balls

Main

Pisellini alla Toscana

Tuscan Peas Cooked in the Typical Terracotta Casserole

Dessert

Dolce al Cioccolato

Melt in Mouth Chocolate Cake Dusted with Confectioners’ Sugar

What's Included

Authentic small group cooking class where you will learn to prepare a full course menu
Morning tea, coffee, home made cake or pastries
Lunch with the estate wines
Recipes
All necessary equipment
All taxes, fees and handling charges

Private transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

La Quercia Estate
Via di Fabbiolle, 15, 50023 Impruneta FI, Italy
If you are traveling without car, we can arrange transportation for a fee

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.10:00 am

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Minimum of 2 people required per booking

Maximum number of guests is 10 people
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Marcos_M

This was perhaps the best experience of our 2 week trip in Italy. Cannot say enough great things about Margherita and Veronica, the wonderful daughter, mother duo. Our family of six truly enjoyed every minute including our youngest, who is 10 years old. We had our transportation from Florence set up by Margherita who communicated with us all throughout the time prior to the visit. We then arrived and had a beautiful apple strudel and warm coffee waiting for us. The villa and cooking studio are straight out of a magazine but Margherita and Veronica’s welcoming demeanor was even more impressive. We then went on to prepare focaccia, a pesto sauce, spaghetti and chocolate cake. Their passion and love for what they do is evident and they are incredibly patient as they guide you through the class. We finished by eating the food prepared, along with a delicious caprese. We then sat and talked with Veronica and Margherita as they shared the history of La Quercia and their family. Highly recommend this experience and hope to one day return! Thank you Margherita and Veronica for your hospitality. Your passion and love for what you do is inspiring.

Reviews

5.0

based on 45 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Incredible cooking experience with our family and theirs

Georgialee, Mar 2025

Margherita and her mother are simply magic. The experience they created for me, my husband and our three college age girls studying in Florence for the semester was nothing short of amazing. The food was fresh, and most from their garden or farm. The setting was out of a fairy tail and the warm company was the icing on the cake. I’m writing this review a few months late (October visit) as we got incredibly busy at the end of our trip but it was important enough to me to make time to go back and write the review as it left an indelibly memory with my family. If you can find time to fit this experience in, please do so. It will be the highlight of your trip. Margherita - Hans and I hope to come see you and your lovely family again soon. This time, spending a few days with you all at the Inn. 🥰🥰🥰. Fondly, Hans and Georgia Z

Tuscany Experience

Anonymous, Oct 2024

We instantly felt like family and I never wanted to leave. The experience was passionate and from the heart….family traditions and I instantly felt what it would be like to call this home. On top of that the food was amazing!!!!

Favorite part of our trip!

Francesca_S, Jul 2024

We had the absolute best time at La Quercia. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and they truly make you feel at home. We learned so many amazing tips and tricks and the day never felt rushed. There was so much passion for teaching and sharing knowledge about food. We will be recommending to everyone!

Highly recommend!

Meredith_L, Jun 2024

This was our favorite activity in Florence! The property is absolutely beautiful and the cooking class was an authentic and delicious experience! Margherita was an amazing host and Veronica is a phenomenal chef and teacher with years of family recipes and experience. We already decided that we need to bring more friends back and do it again!

Unforgettable Experience

Lucas_E, May 2024

I would give 10 stars if I could!! This was an incredible, unforgettable experience! Our son and daughter-in-law gave us this experience as a gift and I feel like it had a lasting affect on me. Margherita was super helpful in arranging everything, including the cab rides, and introducing us to their estate. Her mother, Veronica, was an incredible teacher. You could feel Veronica’s passion and philosophy of cooking, hosting, and food throughout. Simple homegrown ingredients from their estate gardens and the preparation techniques came together in the most amazing burst of flavors and textures. Veronica taught us to slow down, savor the moments, and cook with love. It was as much a lesson on life as it was cooking. If you have a chance to participate, do not miss it!!

The real deal!

Chris_H, May 2024

An intimate, genuine, and personal culinary presentation by someone who has a deep passion for her art.

Best part of our Italian holiday

Lauren_T, Oct 2023

My two children aged 14 and 11 came with me on this experience. We all agree it was the best thing we did in Italy. Margherita was a warm and accomodating host with fantastic communication ahead of the experience. She arranged a taxi pick up for us and even sent photographs of the pick up place near our apartment in Florence. On arrival, she gave us a tour of her beautiful family estate and ushered us into the cooking studio (a converted art studio that was converted from a farming storehouse by her grandfather in the 1960s/70s). There we met Veronica, our cooking teacher and Margherita's mother. We were treated to freshly baked custard tarts and cups of tea, and then began the cooking lessons, along with 5 other lovely guests. My kids were given special responsibilities including rolling out the pasta and were made to feel very important. We then sat down to a gorgeous lunch, (the pasta, focaccia, and other treats that we had made), along with lovely wine from the estate. All in all, a day that we will cherish and hope to do again!

A highlight of our 6 week adventure

Lonny_R, Sep 2023

The 6 hour event was enchanting and the food we helped prepare was delicious and amazing. Perfect English for our US and Canadian group. The estate was magnificent as was the cooking venue. Cannot recommend enough. Don’t miss this one!

Simply amazing!

Valerie_L, Sep 2023

What an incredible experience of a lifetime! Veronica and Margherita were lovely hosts who made sure every second we spent at La Quercia Estate was spectacular. Honestly, we travel all over the world and have been immersed in some pretty amazing experiences, yet this may stand out as my forever favorite. Some people only briefly enter your lives but leave a lasting impact - they certainly did just that. The love behind their cooking and hospitality was evident and I’d recommend this experience to anyone looking for an authentic Tuscan day. Even the guys in our party were also thoroughly impressed with one describing the place as “a gem.” Margherita arranged for a car from our AirBnB in Florence, which was great. I wouldn’t have wanted to travel there any other way. There was no rush to the day. I wouldn’t recommend planning anything afterward. We really weren’t hungry until about 9PM that night and we only wanted a light dinner after the late lunch. Do plan to wear comfortable shoes because you won’t want to sit much for fear of missing one of Veronica’s amazing tips, techniques or stories.

Best day you could spend in a Tuscan kitchen

Jan_A, Sep 2023

The hosts were incredible incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and spent hours sharing their ways of making authentic food and learning a bit about their culture as well.

Greatest part of Italy

Matthew_I, Jun 2023

Our chef was amazing. She loved what she does and it showed. Single best experience in all of Italy. This is a must do.

Magical Day in Italy

Serena_S, May 2023

What a special day! We absolutely loved our cooking class with Veronica and Margherita - the perfect mother daughter duo. We learned how to make pasta with two different sauces, fresh artichokes from their garden, rosemary focaccia, veggie omelette, and apple cake. We learned so much and had a wonderful time participating in the kitchen, and bonding with the other people in our group. Margherita picked us up from the town center and found us a taxi back to Florence. Veronica is magic in the kitchen - just seeing the way she works with food is enough to book this class. This was of our favorite days in Italy! We would love to do it again next time we’re in Florence. Thank you Margherita and Veronica!

Best experience in Italy

Tyler_S, Oct 2022

One of the best vacation experiences we have ever had, and the very best of Italy. I recommend considering staying at their villa, it can be booked separately through the La Quercia website.

Loved it!!

Megan_W, Sep 2022

My husband and I had a great experience at the cooking class!! Veronica and Margherita were so sweet and attentive to every detail!! You truly learn the tips and tricks on how to make some delicious Italian meals! The location, ambiance, and even wine from their estate was perfect! They give you the recipes to take notes so you can create the same delicious meals at home.

Amazing Experience

Carissa_G, Aug 2022

Veronica and Margherita were spectacular! So gracious and kind - definitely a highlight of our two week vacation through Italy and Paris! Our 13 year old son also had a great time and loved it! We will definitely be making plans to stay at the villa on the property soon!

100% Must Do

Trude_B, Jul 2022

This experience was superb from beginning to end. In fact, it was the highlight of a fabulous two week vacation. The food was delicious, the estate stunning and peaceful, and Margherita and Veronica exude such warmth and kindness. My family highly recommends this experience! Thank you, Margherita and Veronica for your hospitality and the very special day!!

Fantastic Visit to La Quercia

Marcos_M, Jun 2022

Must do experience!

Colleen_L, Mar 2022

Margherita and her mom, Veronica, were amazing hosts! We took a quick 20-25 minute taxi from Florence city center and Margherita picked us up in town to take us to the estate. When we arrived, Veronica greeted us with espresso and a snack before our cooking adventure began! We made a delicious bruschetta with tomatoes and basil, ragu sauce with homemade pasta, chicken marsala with baked fennel with bechamel sauce and topped it off with tiramisu for dessert. It was so fun and relaxing. We are both semi experienced cooks and we learned very many new tips and tricks on this adventure. The estate is beyond gorgeous - very calm and serene. I look forward to visiting them again when we are back in the area!

Italian Hospitality at its Best

Monique_P, Nov 2021

Margherita and her mom, Veronica, were fantastic- they are so a great duo! Margherita picked us up in Florence for a short drive to their beautiful estate. The sunset on the ride over was breathtaking. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Veronica who had everything prepped for us. We snacked on cheese, wine, and taralli (round crackers) while making delicious focaccia, baked fennel with béchamel sauce, ravioli, and flourless chocolate cake with raspberries. I’m a bit more experienced in cooking/baking than my husband is and we both learned a lot of new tricks! We truly enjoyed our time with Margherita and Veronica and were so sad to leave after our session was over. They are beautiful ladies, inside and out! We hope to see them on our next visit to Italy and recommend that our our friends do too!

10/10 Would Do Again

Shannon_G, Oct 2021

This class was easily the highlight of our trip to Italy. The estate itself is absolutely gorgeous, as was the short drive out there (which the instructors very helpfully assisted us with). We also learned a ton. The instructors very clearly love cooking, and they taught us lessons that extended even beyond the menu they had planned. The menu itself was amazing--bruschetta, green beans, gnocchi and sauce, meatballs, and cake--and the ingredients were very fresh. The instructors themselves were also lovely, and we thoroughly enjoyed discussing the history of the estate and life in Italy with them. We would easily (and hope to) visit again in the future for another lesson.

Incredible Experience

gerald_C, Oct 2019

I went with my wife and 2 friends and I am not really a foodie person but this was fantastic. I loved the food and am now ready to take on making pasta myself and the whole experience was over the top. The hosts are incredible and make you feel so comfortable and the view is to die for, incredible trip while in Florence and only about 30 minutes outside of the city but you feel as if it was hours on how beautiful the view was. Highly, highly recommend it!!!

Beautiful estate and experience

Emily W, Jun 2019

My husband and I booked this experience to get away from the hustle and bustle of Florence and loved every minute. The estate is located in a nearby town (Impruneta) and we took the CAP bus there from Florence (depart 9:40 - arrive 10:15) at a cost of 10 euro for the two of us. Margherita picked us up at the main square where the bus dropped us off and it was overall, really easy. From there just a 5 minute ride to the estate. There were 8 in our group and we started off with coffee/pastries and introductions. Next, we made tomato sauce, fresh pasta, focaccia, pepperonata, zucchini omelette, and chocolate cake. Veronica is very welcoming and we learned more in this class than several others we've taken at Florence and in the US. She has a passion for food and cooking that is undeniable, and it translates to make this experience beautiful. After the work and a few glasses of the family wine, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor with a relaxing lunch on the property and were free to walk around. Afterwards, Margherita drove us back to the main square and we hopped on the 4:15 bus back to Florence. I absolutely recommend this experience. For those who have taken other cooking courses, you might agree they tend to feel a bit commercial and like a production to get you out on time. This was the opposite - truly enjoyable and personal. We feel lucky to have met both Veronica and Margherita and our travel was richer because of this experience.

If traveling to Chianti, spending a...

Saveliy K, Dec 2017

If traveling to Chianti, spending a day with Veronica and Margherita learning about classic Italian cooking is a MUST! My wife and I had an amazing experience from the minute we booked the class. Margherita personally called us to confirm our booking and explain where to meet for the day. We met her in the center of the quaint town and followed her to this gorgeous estate with picturesque views. We were warmly greeted by her mother, Veronica, with coffee and a delicious pastry while we chatted about the estate and the menu for the day. The class takes place in the kitchen of the guest house which is cozy and warmed with an open hearth fire place. Veronica explained each step thoroughly and let us be hands on in every dish we made. Her passion for cooking and food is so inspiring. It was so great to hear the secrets of great fresh Tuscan food, history of the estate, and fun facts about the regions in Italy. Once finished cooking, we were able to sit down in the sun room and enjoy the lunch we had prepared. Delicious does not even begin to explain how amazing everything was. My wife and I still reminisce about our trip to Italy and talk about how spending the day learning to cook was our favorite day on the trip. We have even made the dishes at home! If you love to cook, love Italian culture, or just want to eat the best meal you ever had in your life... then you must take a class with Veronica! It will be the highlight of your trip to Italy. We hope to come back and take another class in the future!