Private Cooking Class with Lunch

Join the owners of the restaurant to create an authentic Tuscan lunch. Along the way discuss the history of cuisine in Tuscany, which traditions have persisted and why, and complete the experience with a selection of local wines matched to each course.

Our (restaurant’s) philosophy focuses on tradition and getting back to the roots of authentic Florentine cuisine. As such, we will share some of the recipes passed down through generations of our family. Furthermore, we will give you insights into the cooking techniques that with respect to tradition enhance and highlight the quality and flavors inherent in the ingredients.

Together we will prepare a four course meal; appetizer, handmade pasta, main course and dessert. The menu will be based on seasonal traditions and the availability of fresh produce.

After all of your ‘hard’ work, sit down, relax and savor the fruits of your labor. Enjoy your four course lunch with a selection of traditional Tuscan wines.

TUSCAN COOKING EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Demetra Hostaria is a small restaurant, in the very center of Florence, nestled in behind the Bargello Gallery. You will have exclusive use of the restaurant during your cooking experience and lunch.
The ambience is both rustic and eclectic at the same time creating an intimate setting, where you will be welcomed by the owner, Monica.
One of the highlights of cooking in Italy is making pasta from scratch. We will of course select types of pasta that are traditional in Tuscany together with their accompanying sauces.
Tuscan cuisine is delicious but very rarely featured on Italian menus around the world. Cuisine is as much part of a city’s or region’s cultural identity as is art or architecture. Delve a little deeper into Tuscan and Florentine heritage through what was typically served at the table.
During lunch you will taste a selection of local wines, paired to the dishes you have prepared, as well as award winning olive oil.
Private group experience with a maximum of five participants.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Prepare lunch together with the chef/owner of the restaurant
Learn how to make an appetizer, handmade pasta, meat course, and dessert
Understand how cuisine differs from region to region in Italy
Enjoy your four course lunch with a selection of local wines
Water and coffee

Private Groups Only
Price: €500 per group (max. 5 people)
Availability: Tuesday to Saturday at 9:00am
Duration: Approximately 4 hours

Cooking Class Reviews

Immersive is really the adjective to describe this. You arrive at the restaurant for 9 am to find Anna and Monica waiting for you with a smile. Take a 15 minute walk to Sant'Ambrogio market and let the experts take your through their favorite vegetable stalls to select the best ingredients for the upcoming meal. The first part of the experience isn't just a quick stop at the market but a thorough experience with non-stop background information on what we're buying, why, and how it will be used. The fun really starts back in the kitchen. Spend a couple of hours preparing the courses with Monica and Simone. This part is involved and will satisfy those who want to get their hands dirty in the kitchen. Monica walks you through every step and patiently guides you through the preparation process. She doesn't skip over critical elements and wants you to be involved in her passion. The fireworks come when you sit down to eat the dishes you prepared. They will taste delicious but you may be biased since you'll be so proud of your day's work. Could not think of a better way to spend a half day in Florence. A true 5 star experience.

The entire experience was incredible. The restaurant is located in this lovely historic location in the heart of Florence and has a warm and authentic atmosphere. Monica and Anna are exceptional hosts that guided us to make the most delicious meal we had the entire trip to Italy. We had a great time laughing, learning and enjoying the company. Highly recommend.

Anna and Monica were welcoming hosts who created a personalized and intimate experience for my family. Cooking with them was hands on, informative and fun. Anna conveys regional stories and facts about the food and wine. Monica shared her generational knowledge of Italian cooking with us while bringing joy to the entire day. The setting inside the historic restaurant is warm and charming. If you are considering taking a cooking class in Florence, this is the ONE to take and bring your friends and family.

This was a great experience! Visiting the market with Anna was a very helpful lesson in awareness about what produce is in season and at its peak flavor at any given time. We prepared several courses for lunch, under Monica’s warm and wonderful tutelage, and using the ingredients Anna carefully chose and purchased. The resulting lunch was a huge improvement over having an unfamiliar meal as a stranger in a restaurant. I left feeling like I knew what each ingredient added to the the whole wonderful experience. I recommend this highly! Thanks so much Monica and Anna!

Anna's cooking experience was fantastic; I highly recommend it. My husband and I lucked out and ended up having a private tour/class, as no one else was signed up for the same day. Anna was very personable and had a deep knowledge of local area and food culture; her market tour was loosely structured, leaving plenty of space for questions and discussion of topics that we were interested in. It quickly felt like we were talking with an old friend. Back at the restaurant, we met Monica, the local Florentine owner/chef of the restaurant, who clearly has a great passion for what she does. Learning to cook from her felt a lot like being in a family member's home kitchen, learning family recipes. I can't wait to try out the recipes we learned in my own kitchen!