VIP Cooking Class with Carbonara, Pesto Making, Lasagna & Cannoli

Recommended by 100% of travelers

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Florence, Italy

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

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

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Overview

Italian cuisine is beloved across the globe, but most visitors limit themselves to sampling classic dishes in local restaurants. Go beyond dining and learn the secrets to turning out Italy's most famous recipes at home with this hands-on cooking class. Join your host and instructor for a stroll through the Sant'Ambrogio market (morning classes only), then get to work preparing fresh pasta, carbonara and pesto sauces, lasagna, and even Sicilian cannoli. Cap off the experience by sampling our handiwork over lunch or dinner.

Prepare fresh pasta, carbonara and pesto, and Sicilian cannoli in a single lesson
Choose a morning class to pair a visit to the Sant'Ambrogio market
A small-group experience for plenty of personal attention from your instructor
Break up the monotony of restaurant meals lunch or dinner after the class

Sample Menu

Main

Fettuccine alla Carbonara

One of the most iconic dishes of Roman cuisine, made with fettucine and a creamy eggs'sauce topped with bacon

Main

Lasagne al Ragù (Bolognese Sauce)

One of Italy’s most beloved classic dishes prepared with meal (beed and pork) and béchamel

Main

Gnocchi with Homemade Pesto

Inspired by the authentic Ligurian tradition, have fun making pesto with a traditional "mortaio" (mortar). Ingredients neede: Basil, pine nuts, garlic

Dessert

Sicilian Cannoli

The iconic Italian dessert from Sicily, served with your choice of topping: ricotta, chocolate, pistachio and chopped hazelnuts

What's Included

Small Group Tour
Expert Local Chef
Ingredients needed to prepare all the dishes
Unlimited wine
Water
Visit of Sant’Ambrogio market - only included in the am tour (no sundays or bank holidays)
Lunch or Dinner depending ont he departure selected
Digital recipe booklet , so you can recreate them once you're home
Graduation Diploma
Only in English to preserve the quality of the experience
Meals

Cooking Masterclass based on four iconic of Italian Tradition (Carbonara, Lasagne, Pesto and Sicilian Cannoli)
Pesto Making Experience

Visit to Sant'Ambrogio Market if you select the pm shifts or the Sunday and Bank Holidays shifts

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Cucineria La Mattonaia
Via della Mattonaia, 19R, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy
Meet your chef at Ciao Foodies Hub at La Cucineria, Via della Mattonaia, 19/r, Florence, Italy

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Vegetarian options available
For safety reasons, this experience is not recommended for people with celiac disease or children under six years old
Please inform us in advance of any allergies or food intolerances, and we will do our best to accommodate you
The menu may vary slightly depending on ingredient availability and seasonality
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 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)

Reviews

5.0

based on 41 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Fabulous carbonara and gnocchi

aklimava, Jun 2026

Marvellous cooking experience (we do classes in every place we visit and this was the top of all) - please don’t eat anything prior like no pastries, no fruit- no breakfast. Out chef - Alon was a delight and so funny even with our 10 yo. 5 hours flew by in a second and we made so much food that we shared with table next to us- they were there for shorter class/ pizza I think. We made: carbonara, lasagna, ravioli, two different sauces, pesto, gnocchi and cannoli. All really hands on. We did enjoy the wine pairing (included) and it was also well chosen. We definitely will be back! Thank you- Alon and the team!

Amazing time.

Jennifer_M, May 2026

Giulia was amazing. She did the class in Spanish for my mom and she answered all our questions while making our experience enjoyable. The experience was private for my mom and my sisters. We were a group of 6 and from the very beginning Giulia greeted us with kindness and respect. We went to the market for a couple ingredients that we were missing and even got to explore ourselves. We were provided sample of cheeses and meats and unlimited wine. Our experience was hands on and we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves. Giulia made our experience very personalized and it is an experience that we will never forget. We cooked three pastas and even got to make the filling for the cannoli. The lasagna was amazing. I can’t wait to try these recipes at home.

Awesome

Patricia_S, May 2026

Just a great experience. Highly recommend with plenty of food, wine and company. Highly recommend, a must do.

Great day in the life!!!!

Jane_H, May 2026

The presentation and instruction was the best I have seen and the tour of the market with product information was fantastic. Gui was not only a great chef but a great instructor also. FANTASTIC DAY.