Authentic Tuscan Cooking Class in Florence with Locals

"Mirella & Stefano were the absolute best, this was the highlight of our time in Florence. They welcomed us into their beautiful home, where we learned how to make 6 delicious Italian dishes. We cannot recommend this enough."

"Mirella and her husband were wonderful!! My friend and I did a morning/midday cooking class with them. We met at the market, where they bought all the fresh ingredients for the meal, and then we went to their house which had an incredible garden. We did a combination of prepping and cooking inside and outdoors, and then we ate a perfect lunch in their garden and had a lot of laughs and conversation. Food was delicious, and Mirella gave us the recipes so I am ready to make the dishes back at home in Seattle. We made bruschetta, focaccia, handmade gnocchi and tagliatelle with tomato sauce, eggplant Parmesan, and tiramisu. Yum! During the meal, they provided drinks. This was one of the most worthwhile things we did on our entire trip to Italy. I highly recommend!"

"This was such an amazing experience! They (Mariel and Stefano) are absolutely lovely and being able to experience the market and their amazing garden hidden behind their house while making our own very simple florentine dishes was incredible!!"

"This was one of the best things we have ever done on any vacation. Stefano and Mirella are amazing hosts with a lovely Tuscan home. They provide a real culinary treat, and guide you through the process of preparing an authentic, multicourse meal. We so very much looked forward to getting home to try these recipes on our own. We even bought a pasta maker in Florence, and brought home some Italian flour to replicate the experience. I highly recommend this experience. Great food. Great wine. Great conversation with a lovely, funny and charming couple who are both accomplished chefs. Perfecto!"

"They came to our villa and cooked us the most wonderful meal! It was the perfect end to our Italy vacation. They are delightful people, kind and humorous. Would recommend them to anyone thinking about wanting a personalized experience."

"I wish all experiences were like this. Mirella, Stefano, and Daniele were some of the kindest and most welcoming people! We had a group of six and everyone was included and learned something. Truly the highlight of the trip. You can’t match the quality. An absolute must do"

"This was such a fun experience and I can’t say enough good things about Mirella and Stefano. They were incredibly welcoming, accommodated food allergies and set up a bed for our son with special needs. The cooking lesson is well organized and was delicious. Highly recommend!"

"Mirella and Stefano are the absolute best hosts! If you want to experience local Florentine cuisine, choose them. The trip to the market, time preparing the food in their kitchen and then enjoying the meal with them was a wonderful experience."

"We had many great meals on this trip, but our best and most memorable was the one we made ourselves with Mirella & Stefano. We laughed and chilled out for hours. Pure joy. Homemade gnocchi. Figs from the garden. Wine from local vineyards, Incredible place with the warmest people. Absolutely loved it. Note it’s STEFano, not Stef-AH-no thanks."

"What a fantastic day we had with Mirella and Stefano! Not only was the food we prepared delicious, but we got so many cooking tips from these professional chefs! we learned about life in the city of Antella and how food there is such an important part of the culture. An absolutely great experience! We have made the recipes we learned so many times since."

"This class was one of my favorite memories from our trip to Italy! When we booked this event, we had no idea what to expect. It seemed odd to be arriving at someone's private home and we were a little nervous, but from the second Mirella greeted us at our Uber, we never had a another doubt about the fun evening ahead. Mirella & Stefano put us completely at ease and it seemed like we were old friends hanging out together cooking, drinking and chatting. I was excited to learn how to make tagliatelle & gnocchi (noodles) from scratch and we made one of our favorite dishes, eggplant parmesan. I learned how easy it is to make tiramisu, which I served at Christmas and was a big hit, as well as sausage bruschetta from Italian ingredients, which I served at Thanksgiving and no one left room for dinner! Mirella & Stefano were kind enough to provide a cookbook of all the recipes we made together to take home! What made this class special and unique is that it didn't seem like a class at all! My husband can barely boil water (or so he tells me), but Stefano had him chopping, mixing, and prepping like it was second nature. The best part, other than the delicious food we ate until we were stuffed, was chatting at the table about family, world events, life in Italy compared to the US, and their wedding plans. I would recommend Mirella and Stefano's class to any couple, family, group, or just yourself! You will learn a lot and have fun making new friends while doing it!"

"BEST EXPERIENCE DURING 3 WEEKS IN ITALY If there is one thing on your Italian vacation you cannot cannot CANNOT miss, it's dinner with Mirella and Stefano. I know the country is known for the charm of its people and the grandeur of its food, but literally nothing we did compared to this. They were the warmest, most charming hosts, and the food was out of this world. My only complaint is that they didn't eat with us, but I can hardly quibble. A lifetime memory of extraordinary proportions."

"MUST BOOK! Our time cooking with Mirella and Stefano was truly the highlight of our trip to Italy! Their home is so beautiful and they taught us incredible, easy dishes we could replicate when we got home. It is such a fabulous way to really experience Florence and the cuisine of the area. Highly, highly recommend!"

"We had a fantastic three-hour class in Mirella’s kitchen and garden. We thought it might be awkward going to someone’s house, but Mirella and Stefano were extremely warm and welcoming. It felt like cooking with a friend. Their garden is lovely. It was beautiful day. We highly recommend Tuscan Cooking Class in Florence with a Local Expert."

"My husband and I were on our honeymoon in Florence and signed up for this cooking class. We met the two chefs, Mirella and Stefano, at the outdoor market, where we spent a lovely morning learning about local produce, cheeses, meats, and other specialties. We then hopped in Mirella and Stefano's car and took a short ride to their charming villa just outside Florence. We spent the entire day cooking with them -- pasta, gnocchi, bruschette, eggplant parm, and tiramisu, and then enjoyed the meal in their garden with them. The day could not have been more perfect. We are still in touch with them on a regular basis. They touched not only our stomachs, but our hearts. Not only did we learn some amazing dishes, we met two fantastic friends. We can't wait to go back and see them again."

"My husband and I booked this experience during our honeymoon. It was FANTASTIC! The food was excellent, but the company was even better! It was so nice to be welcomed into Mirella's home and cook with her and Stefano. We would highly recommend this excursion to anyone traveling to Florence."

"Mirella and Stefano were amazing - and gracious enough to host us for Easter dinner. It was very easy to get to their house - we took the bus from Florence and they were a short walk from the bus stop. We all thought that it was the best food we had on the entire trip. We learned a lot yet the evening seemed effortless. They shared excellent local wine and we were lucky sip their home-made limocello. Each dish was outstanding. We have cooked many of the recipes since returning home which brings back fun memories. I highly recommend Mirella and Stefano - they are great!"

"The cooking lesson at their home was amazing. Save room, because we made about 6 dishes! Lovely dining in their garden at a long wooden table. Perfecto!"

"My wife and I took a cooking class for our honeymoon, on holiday. The cooking class with Mirella in June. By far it was our favorite event in the entire honeymoon. Mirella was a gracious host and made us feel at home the entire time. The cooking skills obtained are some that my wife and I still use. Truly a great experience to have with friends or family. The food was delicious and the company was enjoyable!"

"Nothing but good things to say about Mirella and Stefano! They were so warm and greeted us by name. We have a son with special needs and they set up a bedroom for him so we’d have a place to lay him down and change him. They accommodated our dietary restrictions and were just wonderful hosts. It was a highlight of our trip and we strongly recommend booking a lesson with them!"

"OMG this was the best meal and experience we did on our entire trip. My wife, my kids all loved it and enjoyed the meal tremendously. The host's English is more than passible and we don't speak Italian. This might be the hidden gem experience in Tuscany. How she only has 3 reviews at the time of this post is baffling. The gnocchi melted like butter and if we weren't so full we would have demanded more Eggplant lasagana stacks. It was definitely pricey but the food, host and atmosphere of her home was well worth it. When you can satisfy a wife who hates cooking, a teenage boy, and a teenage girl then you know you have a winner."

"Stefano and Mariella were fantastic hosts--they were informative and knowledgeable, and welcomed us at the market with big smiles, even though we were 20 minutes late due to traffic. We toured the market and were able to learn a great deal about it, as well as observing the quality of the fresh foods. We then were escorted to their home and guided through the preparation of 4 dishes, plus receiving a tour of their back yard and herb garden. To top it off, we then were able to share the meal we had prepared and have a nice visit with them in their outdoor gazebo, learning a great deal about culture, family and food. It was the highlight of a two week trip to Italy. Wonderful."

"It was a great experience and my kids loved it. The cook was professional and the food was all delicious! The lesson was a bit pricy but overall it was a great class!"

"Our Tuscan cooking class with Mirella and Stefano was a highlight on our trip to Florence. The whole experience of going to the farmers market to choose our ingredients and then making dishes in their own home was just wonderful! Mirella perfectly accommodated for our Vegan and Vegetarian requests and taught us how to prepare some spectacular dishes! Thank you for this unique and wonderful experience! We can't wait to try them out in our own home! Linda, Sydney, and Natalie"

"AMAZING!!!! Would give this 10 stars if we could!! My wife & I thoroughly enjoyed our experience with Mirella and Stefano. It started with the both of them taking us on a tour of the Sant’Ambrogio food market, where they told us fascinating details about the market and vendors. This is where they picked up the ingredients for the menu we were to cook a bit later in the day. This market tour was a fascinating & entertaining way to start the experience! After the market, they drove us to their BEAUTIFUL home and gave us a tour of their home & lovely garden. This was such a thrill and further immersed us with Italian authenticity. We then got to cooking, during which my wife and I could not stop smiling. It started with two different forms of bruschetta, both of which turned out DELICIOUS. Then, we made handmade tagliatelle pasta with Tuscan ragu. WOW, just wow. The next thing we prepared for the menu was chicken cacciatore. Sooooo wonderful, tender, and flavorful. Finally, we prepared homemade tiramisu. It was every bit as tasty & amazing as it sounds! Throughout the food prepping and cooking, Mirella & Stefano gave us the perfect combination of talking us through it, assisting hands-on if needed, and informing us about the fascinating history behind each dish. The time passed so quickly, as we were having the time of our lives! When it came time to eat, Stefano served us each course. The food all came out INCREDIBLE and it was amongst the best meals we had throughout our entire week in Florence! Stefano & Mirella’s kindness and courtesy made us feel like we were family. This was our first full day in Italy (our first experience in all of Europe, in fact!) and we can’t stop talking about this experience. We get so welcomed & appreciated by Stefano and Mirella. We would highly recommend this experience to just about anybody, regardless of culinary interest. For all of the fascinating things you’ll learn about Tuscan food & history, you’ll also feel like you just had an amazing get-together with new friends! Thank you, Stefano & Mirella. The next time we make it out to Florence, we will absolutely sign up for another class. Oh, and one more thing: Mirella handed us a printout of our entire menu, with detailed instructions of how to prepare each item! We’ve already recreated the bruschetta with Tuscan bread, sausage & stracchino cheese - DELICIOUS!!! Grazie mille, James & Christa"

"A wonderful experience in the heart and soul of Italy. Mirella and Stefano were amazing hosts. It was wonderful to laugh and feel as if we were part of their family. I very much recommend this experience."

"Mirella and Stefano were so kind. My wife and I absolutely loved our personal Italian cooking class. The environment was authentic, Mirella and Stefano were excellent teachers. This cooking class is a must when in Florence! We will book again the next time we are in Florence!"

"My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class w/ Mirella & Stefano! They were incredibly patient, funny, and informative. We would do it again!"

"Mirella was a lovely hostess and her son was wonderful too! An easy and oh so tasty meal we were able to prepare with her help. And, if we are invited to her home!"

"We loved Mirella's pasta class! Making the pasta and sauces was so much fun - and they would be easy to try on our own! Mirella taught us some Italian words and traditions too. We joined from our own kitchens, so it was a great way to get together with friends separated by distance. It truly felt like we traveled to Italy for the afternoon!!"

"It was a lot of fun."

"Mirella and Stefano were wonderful! We had a lot of fun and learned!"

"I loved the cooking class, great easy to follow instructions and was so cool to share cooking from both our kitchens - very personal experience that I will come back again for."

"Mirella and her family were wonderful! We learned quite a lot about how to make authentic Italian pasta and are grateful for her guidance."

"Mirella and her family were wonderful! We learned quite a lot about how to make authentic Italian pasta and are grateful for her guidance."

"We had a great time taking this virtual pasta making class! Mirella was very knowledgable about the recipes. We came away with more than two meals worth of pasta and the knowledge to be able to make it again."

"Mirella, her husband and nephew were all such gracious hosts! The recipe directions were very clear and straight forward. The class was a gift, and it was loved by all of us. We would 100% recommend this class!"

"Mirella and her nephew were welcoming hosts, and my sister and I had a great time! The timing was pretty tight to get everything done, even with us having done a decent amount of prep ahead of time, as Mirella suggested. It all worked out, so not a big deal, just wanted to pass along a potential point of improvement. Still a great class!"

"Mirella was an excellent host! We had a great time following along to make two different types of pasta and sauce. I had made pasta before this but learned lots that I didn't know. I would definitely recommend taking her class!"

"Thanks for a wonderful cooking lesson! We learned a lot and had fun."

"Ms Mirella is the perfect chef and host you want to indulge in a Italian cooking class with. Not only did she guide us through 2 delicious meals, but took us on a tour of her balcony and garden. She is the sweetest human and makes you want to jump right through the computer to be with her, and cook with her. Take her class!!!"

"I really enjoyed the class and it was so great to be taught by a local right from their kitchen at home! Mirella was so lovely and kept pace with us throughout the class, even as a larger group."

"Mirella was so talented and provided an enjoyable, informative class. She was so warm and friendly and it felt like we were welcomed into her home. The food was absolutely delicious and she was accommodating of all dietary requirements, including addition of a new sauce for vegetarians so we had the option to cook both. Loved every moment of this experience."

"We had a great experience in our group cooking class. Mirella was delightful and even showed us around her Italian garden. It made me wish i was in Italy."

"Mirella's cooking experience was so fun! We had two other friends join us and it was truly a highlight for the year! Mirella made us feel so welcome even through a virtual experience. She "walked" us through her Kitchen and Aromatica Gardens on her property before class. She was fun, patient and shared many things about Italian cooking as we prepared our food together. Her nephew was there to help with translation if needed and he added some fun information as well. We shared a toast together, much laughter and delicious food! We are still sharing and talking about this class with others and look forward to meeting her in person someday! Grazie Mille!!!"

"Mirella and her family were amazing. The class was a lot of fun and they helped us through the rolling of the dough and all the steps with ease. They were a very nice family to get to know, and my entire family enjoyed the experience immensely."

"Mirella and her husband and nephew were amazing! She was so entertaining and funny with the banter between our families. We had 6 separate screens and she did a wonderful job teaching all of us and explaining the history! She also made so many jokes it made us feel like she was family in our own kitchen. We loved it! Thank you Mirella!! Oh and the food was AMAZING of course!"

"This was a lot of fun and very instructive. Mirella did a great job of describing and explaining - the views of her herb garden were inspiring, and she was a delightful host."

"Mirella was a great host. She helped make adjustments for a vegetarian in our group and the end result was delicious! Would highly recommend for a corporate or group event."

"Mirella is kind and thoughtful, as well as an extremely good teacher. I learned so much from class. I am inspired to keep taking classes through Traveling Spoon because this one was such an amazing experience. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to try a cooking class, and especially people who are just beginning. Mirella made this class fun, and with her husband there to help as well, it was easy and enjoyable."

"Mirella is kind and thoughtful, as well as an extremely good teacher. I learned so much from class. I am inspired to keep taking classes through Traveling Spoon because this one was such an amazing experience. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to try a cooking class, and especially people who are just beginning. Mirella made this class fun, and with her husband there to help as well, it was easy and enjoyable."

"What a wonderful morning we spent cooking with Mirella & Stephano cooking gnocchi, Tuscan ragu and tiramisu. The house smelled delicious all afternoon! It was a great multi generational experience for my stepdaughter, 2 teenage grand daughters and me. Mirella provided helpful instructions in advance, and guided us as we cooked. I feel confident enough to make the recipes again on my own. Gracie Mirella!"

"We took a wonderful gnocchi making class with Mirella. We made pillowy gnocchi and flavorful ragu, topped off with tiramisu --Yum! Mirella was a lovely teacher and hostess. Her pre-class recipes were easy to follow and in-class instructions clear and helpful. Very fun time!"

"We loved Mirella! She was a fantastic host! We all were a little nervous making tiramisu, which seemed so challenging, but with her direction it was very easy to make and we’ll definitely be able to recreate this recipe!"

"Mirella was a wonderful host and great teacher. Her recipes are delicious and were easy for us to follow. She did a fantastic job helping us through the recipes and made a special effort to tell us about her neighborhood outside Florence, giving the whole experience an authentic Italian flavor. We prepared Gnudi, bruschetta, and fried vegetables, all of which were fun to make and a pleasure to eat!"

"Mirella was a wonderful teacher. She was enthusiastic and very engaging. Overall her class was amazing and I would highly recommend."

"The virtual cooking class was a delight! Mirella was very pleasant, helpful and informative with many interesting side stories. She was really able to make the experience authentic, despite the online format. The communication was perfect. Last, but not least, the food was delicious!"

"Mirella was wonderful! Well organized, efficient, friendly, helpful. Loved that I could do cooking class with family in different states, since I can’t be with them in person."

"Fantastic experience -Mirella was an exceptional hostess! Her gentle guidance and warm personality made it fun and personable. The resulting masterpiece was delicious and the tips she shared were priceless!"

"Mirella Calvelli is an excellent host. She audibly and visually explains the process thoroughly. She is very genuinely excited to educate and makes you feel that you are a welcome guest in her home. I highly recommend her and the Traveling Spoon as a wonderful experience."

"My coworkers and I took a cooking class from Mirella and it was a great experience. Mirella is an excellent host and teacher and explained all of the steps clearly. She made our cooking experience so enjoyable. It was also nice to be introduced to her family during the class. I would highly recommend Mirella’s cooking class!"

"Mirella was an amazing host. Her class was so much fun and the food we made together tasted amazing. She was super friendly and nice and very informative throughout the entire class. I would love to take another class with her!"

"Mirella is a warm and gracious chef/hostess. Her gnocchi and ragu were a big hit with my family! The tiramisu was both delicious and elegant. Mirella provided very detailed recipes and suggestions for some advanced preparation which maximized the use of our time together. She confirmed our progress before proceeding to each new step. Mirella also provided many helpful tips as well as suggestions for modifying the recipes, making them extremely versatile. We enjoyed meeting Mirella’s husband Stefano and nephew, Daniele who participated also. Communication in English was perfect and the Zoom platform worked well."

"Absolutely!! We had a fantastic experience with Mirella and are looking forward to our next one! She was the ultimate hostess and the pace was perfect! My daughter and daughter in law cooked with us and we all loved it! Bravo Mirella!"

"Mirella was friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable. We had so much fun taking her class and the food was delicious!"

"We had a lot of fun with Mirella. We did this class for a friend's birthday at our house and even with screaming children in the background, we made it work. The food was delicious and Mirella, her husband and her son were so much fun."

"Mirella was the perfect host chef...charming, knowledgeable, collaborative and well-prepared. She shared valuable tips for better cooking. And all 3 recipes were truly delicious. The pre-session instructions, ingredient lists and email communication were all easy to follow and helpful to get started. I highly recommend Mirella!"

"My kids and I had such an enjoyable experience with Mirella. She’s lovely and it was nice having her husband and nephew around to demonstrate and help out. We made food that we’ve never attempted before and it was absolutely delicious. This was an all around fun and worthwhile experience."

"Best pesto we have ever made. Mirella was a great teacher and helped us learn how to can pasta sauces. It was great!!!"

"Mirella was a kind and knowledgeable. I wish that we could have been in the same kitchen with her!"

"Mirella was such a great teacher! She explained the process, was so warm, and it made me want to go to Italy ASAP. The whole family helped, and I love them all!!"

"I had a fantastic experience learning how to make two different kinds of pasta. I was even able to make it without a pasta maker. Mirella was super friendly and a wonderful instructor. "

"Mirella was an awesome host! She was extremely patient, kind, and the pasta we made together was delicious. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who is looking for a fun experience."

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"I can't express how awesome this cooking class experience was! Mirella and her husband were such a delight. We learned how to make several different types of pasta, tomato sauce and more! Every dish was delicious and they made the experience so fun! This was one of my highlights in my month long journey in Italy.Thank you for such a wonderful memory!Robbin Cecchini"

"Our family loved the cooking class with Mirella and Stefano. They welcomed us into their home, and gave us a fun and interactive lesson. The food - clearly thanks to Mirella and Stefano - turned out great. And just as importantly, both were incredible with our kids, aged 11, 10 and 8, who immediately took to them and opened right up. Mirella and Stefano are teachers who know how to connect. It was like a dinner with family friends where we all joined in to cook. If you will be in the Florence area, this is a must do. "

"Mirella & Stefano were perfect, helpful and delightful chefs, guiding me through a midday exploration of true Tuscan culinary adventures and helping me to explore my desires to learn more about simple, basic cooking in this part of Italy. From the opening garden exploration to prepping for the lovely meal, all was a remarkable experience.Robert RossBainbridge Island, WArwrlink@gmail.com"

"We had a wonderful lesson with Mirella and her husband. Our evening was off to a rough start when we accidentally put in the wrong address into our GPS and did not arrive at the correct place. Mirella was more than accessible and helpful by phone and her English is very good! She was able to help us get to the right place and was very welcoming and comforting as this was quite a stressful experience for us. Mirella is a wonderful cook and taught us very well how to make the recipes. We ended up making bruschetta, tagliatelle from scratch with a tomato sauce, pork in a wine sauce with Florentine peas, and terramisu for desert. It all tasted delicious! We had a blast learning about Italian cooking with her and later shared a meal with her and her husband. I would definitely recommend this experience for anyone visiting Florence or the surrounding areas. It was one of the highlights of our 2 week trip!"

"My 14 year old son and I opted for a market tour and home cooking lesson with Mirella and Stefano. We had a really wonderful time. I was especially pleased that they treated my son as a competent cook (which he is) and allowed him to fully participate. I’ve been to classes where he has been treated as a child and not been given opportunities to chop and make the pasta. Mirella and Stefano were charming and welcoming. We’ve cooked a lot of Italian food so the menu was familiar but delicious. The best part was cooking together and comparing life and experiences. Bravo, guys! Highly recommended."

"Traveling Spoon is an amazing company and Mirella and her husband were wonderful hosts. She was warm, welcoming and funny! My husband and I agreed it was the highlight of our trip. I'd recommend coming before dinner to cook as well. We loved it and made the recipe when we got home!"

"Mirella invited us into her home where we had so much fun cooking, eating, and just enjoying!"

"My wife and I are in our 30s (ok one of us almost in their 40s, but I won't say who), and we have made traveling around the world our raison d'etre. We had 5 days in Florence before heading out to Roma and Venice, and our dinner with Mirella and Stefano was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip. We shared a five hour dinner at their home, cooking alongside them and sharing a table and conversation with them into the evening. High marks for the thoughtfulness that went into the menu selection which was seasonal and thoroughly local but also wonderfully different from anything you would encounter on the well worn tourist recommendations in Florence. But more important than the wonderful meal and cooking experience was to spend time with a food obsessed Florentine couple in their home, laughing together late until the scheduled taxi service had to drag us away, and for us to share wide smiles the entire ride back to the hotel. Mirella and Stefano's home brought us to a different time and place. Their passion for food and entertaining is self-evident. Herbs and spices come straight from their garden, which Mirella handpicks for the meal. We made pasta from scratch together, and they took the time to teach us how. Stefano is the kind of guy that makes you wish you spoke better Italian, because you know you'd love to share a limoncello or grappa (or two) with him after dinner, trading stories. In short,we felt we were able to just for a moment, feel like we were able to experience something sincere and unique, something authentic, something non-transactional. Simply amazing!"

"A fantastic host!"