The Cooking Lab – Authentic Food Experience

The Cooking Lab – Authentic Food Experience offers an immersive culinary journey through the heart of Tuscan cuisine. Led by an experienced Florentine chef, this hands-on cooking class takes participants into the chef’s own home to learn the secrets behind traditional Italian dishes. From fresh pasta and gnocchi to savory sauces and the iconic tiramisu, the interactive lessons cover a range of cooking techniques and regional flavors. With rave reviews from past guests, this intimate culinary experience promises to leave participants with not only a full stomach, but also a deeper appreciation for the rich gastronomic heritage of Italy’s most famous region.

This experience made our list of the 20 Best Cooking Classes In Florence.

Key Points

• Offers hands-on cooking class with a Florentine chef in his home, teaching preparation of pasta, gnocchi, appetizers, and tiramisu.
• Provides an interactive and immersive experience where participants learn techniques and recipes directly from the chef.
• Includes a full meal of the prepared dishes, served with local wine, for an authentic Italian culinary journey.
• Features a sample menu with traditional Tuscan snacks, handmade pasta or gnocchi, and the classic Italian dessert tiramisu.
• Offers a flexible schedule with morning and afternoon sessions, along with a convenient location in the heart of Florence.

Overview

The Cooking Lab in Florence, Italy offers an authentic food experience, boasting 92 reviews and a hands-on cooking class with a Florentine chef in his home, where guests learn to prepare pasta, gnocchi, appetizers, and tiramisu.

The class is guided by the host and instructor, allowing participants to roll up their sleeves and get hands-on experience in making two types of pasta or gnocchi, sauces, appetizers, and the iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu.

At the end of the class, guests are treated to a meal of the prepared dishes, served with wine, providing a true taste of Florentine cuisine.

The Cooking Lab’s offering is a unique and immersive culinary adventure in the heart of Florence.

Experience Details

Participants roll up their sleeves and prepare two types of pasta or gnocchi, along with various sauces, appetizers, and the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, all under the guidance of the host and instructor.

The class is an interactive and hands-on experience that allows guests to learn the techniques and recipes directly from a Florentine chef in his own home.

By the end of the session, you will have created a full meal, which they’ll then enjoy together, accompanied by local wine.

The class covers:

• Crafting fresh pasta or gnocchi
• Preparing delectable sauces
• Assembling mouthwatering appetizers
• Whipping up the iconic tiramisu

It’s a true taste of authentic Florentine cuisine.

Sample Menu

A typical sample menu at The Cooking Lab features a starter of Coccoli (fried pizza dough) served with prosciutto and stracchino cheese.

For the main course, guests have the opportunity to prepare their own fresh pasta or gnocchi, learning the techniques and artistry behind these beloved Italian staples. The meal concludes with the indulgent tiramisu, a coffee-infused treat that perfectly rounds out the dining experience.

The starter of Coccoli, a traditional Tuscan snack, provides a delightful introduction to the class, showcasing the versatility of dough and the complementary flavors of the cured meat and creamy cheese.

Handmade fettuccine or potato gnocchi/stuffed pasta is accompanied by various sauces.

Inclusions

With the cooking class, participants receive all the necessary cooking equipment, along with a welcome spread of snacks, an aperitif, and beverages to enjoy throughout the session.

After the cooking is complete, guests will be served a delightful meal of the dishes they prepared, accompanied by wine.

This all-inclusive experience ensures that the participants can fully enjoy the cooking process without worrying about additional expenses or preparations.

The inclusions provide a seamless and enjoyable culinary journey for everyone involved:

• All cooking equipment and tools
• Welcome snacks, aperitif, and refreshing beverages
• Homemade lunch or dinner featuring the prepared dishes
• Wine pairing to complement the authentic Italian meal

Logistics

The cooking class takes place at a meeting point in the heart of Florence, Italy, where participants gather to embark on their authentic culinary adventure.

Guests are asked to arrive at the designated location on Via Pasquale Villari, 50136 Firenze FI, which is conveniently situated in the city center.

The hands-on cooking experience lasts for a confirmed duration, typically around 3 hours, allowing ample time to prepare the various dishes under the guidance of the Florentine chef.

The class is available 7 days a week, with morning and afternoon sessions offered from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Guests can rest assured that a flexible cancellation policy is in place, with a full refund available if cancelled 24 hours in advance.

Cooking With a Florentine Chef

Upon arrival, participants eagerly roll up their sleeves and dive into the hands-on cooking experience guided by a Florentine chef in the comfort of his own home.

Under his expert tutelage, they learn to prepare two types of pasta or gnocchi, along with accompanying sauces, appetizers, and the iconic tiramisu.

The class provides an immersive culinary journey, allowing guests to:

• Knead and shape dough for freshly-made pasta or pillowy gnocchi
• Craft flavorful sauces to complement the handmade pasta
• Assemble classic Italian appetizers like coccoli with prosciutto and cheese
• Master the techniques behind the decadent tiramisu dessert

At the end of the session, participants savor the fruits of their labor, enjoying a delightful meal of the dishes they’ve prepared, paired with wine.

Hands-on Pasta and Gnocchi Preparation

Participants dive straight into the hands-on pasta and gnocchi preparation, kneading and shaping dough under the Florentine chef’s expert guidance.

They carefully craft two types of fresh pasta or pillowy gnocchi, learning the techniques required to create these iconic Italian dishes.

The chef demonstrates how to properly roll out pasta sheets and cut them into fettuccine or shape tender potato gnocchi.

Students then put their newfound skills to the test, guided by the chef every step of the way.

Once the pastas and gnocchi are prepared, the class moves on to crafting suitable sauces to complement their homemade creations.

Dining on the Prepared Dishes

After preparing their homemade pasta and gnocchi, participants sit down to savor the fruits of their labor, enjoying a delightful meal prepared with the dishes they crafted.

They start with coccoli – fried pizza dough topped with prosciutto and stracchino cheese.

For the main course, they indulge in fettuccine and potato gnocchi, each served with a selection of mouthwatering sauces.

To cap off the experience, there’s the crowning glory – a rich and creamy tiramisu.

Throughout the dining experience, participants are invited to sip on complimentary wine, creating an authentic and immersive Florentine culinary journey.

The convivial atmosphere and shared pride in the homemade creations make this a truly memorable and satisfying conclusion to the cooking class.

Recap

The Cooking Lab – Authentic Food Experience offers an immersive culinary journey in Florence, Italy.

Participants learn traditional Tuscan recipes from a local chef, preparing fresh pasta or gnocchi, sauces, and the classic tiramisu.

With hands-on cooking and a full meal enjoyed with wine, this class provides an authentic taste of the region’s cuisine.

With rave reviews, it’s a must-try for food lovers seeking an interactive and enjoyable cultural experience.