Florence Local Food Tour: Visit Top Specialty Stores and Learn Pasta Making with Chef Cinzia
5.0
4 Ratings
Firenze
Join Chef Cinzia on a local food tour in Florence, Italy. Explore specialty stores, learn pasta making, and enjoy a hands-on cooking class in Cinzia's home.
Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Florence - Cinzia is a warm and hospitable host who developed her culinary skills by observing her mother and grandmother in the kitchen. She pursued formal education in culinary arts and pastry making in Italy. For Cinzia, cooking is an expression of love and existence. She infuses her energy into the food she prepares, delighting in imparting her passion for the ingredients and customs, and leaving a mark of her heritage with visitors.

A mother of three, Cinzia balances her life by working in analytics to support her family and indulging her culinary interests by cooking at night. She founded a cooking school and takes pleasure in organizing special meals and gatherings. She also has a fascination with historical Italian cuisine from the medieval and Renaissance periods.

Cinzia is skilled in preparing vegetarian, gluten-free, and macrobiotic dishes and is eager to cater to your unique dietary needs.

What's Included
  • homecooked dinner
  • Local Prosecco and wine (1-2 glasses)
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges included
  • Private tour of local supermarkets and cooking class with host Cinzia
  • Non-alcoholic beverages included
  • Dinner
  • Gratuities included
  • Alcoholic beverages included
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Join your guide, Cinzia, as she takes you through her top local food shopping spots. Kick off your tour with a refreshing cup of Joe at one of her most-loved cafes before you step into a sought-after and historic supermarket renowned for its upscale and unique offerings. Then, stop by a quaint family-run grocery shop to get fresh veggies for the cooking class. Depending on the menu, you might also visit a few more stores offering wine, bread, chocolate or cheese.

Your practical cooking class will be hosted on Cinzia’s home patio. You’ll get to watch Cinzia cook an appetizer for you to savor, then it’s your turn to get your hands dirty and learn how to make traditional Italian pasta from recipes that have been passed down through generations in Cinzia’s family. You’ll prepare three main courses and a side or dessert from scratch. You can choose between a menu of either three homemade pastas or one pasta and a meat main course. Do specify your preference when you make your reservation.

  • If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Please note just the market experience is unavailable for the months of July and August, as it is too hot.
  • Please note: Unlike a typical single market tour, this is a tour of several shops that sell high-quality Italian food and produce.
  • For the cooking class, if you have a preference between learning to cook three pastas or one pasta and a meat main, please include it when making your booking. If you don’t include your choice, your host will decide your menu for the day.
  • Menu varies based on the season
Location
Loggia del Bigallo
Piazza di San Giovanni
Meet Cinzia at Loggia del Bigallo, located in front of the Duomo. Address is: Loggia del Bigallo, Piazza San Giovanni, 1, 50122 Firenze FI. She'll be standing in front of the Loggia, located to the right of Black Bar on Via dei Calzaiuoli.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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1 star
Goodtogo1956
Mar 14, 2024
Gracious, knowledgeable chef and host - Fun, laid-back, and relaxed tour of the central market and restaurants above, then cooking with Alessio at his home nearby. We decided on the menu together, Alessio was very flexible. We learned new techniques for kneading dough I appreciated, & ways to prepare vegetables I've never heard of before. He's an expert on mushrooms and we learned so much. He made us feel welcome and comfortable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caroandbrettmason
Sep 22, 2019
One Incredible Day in Florence - What an amazing experience my Husband and I had with Cinzia in Florence. Starting in the shadows of the Duomo, we walked through the streets to a local coffee shop to enjoy an espresso and discuss what we would like to have on our menu for the evening. As we ventured through Florence to the various markets for bread, cheese, veggies and meat, Cinzia took the time to stop and discuss the many historical landmarks. We continued to visit the local shops and markets she used in the days following, as they had some of the best food and drinks we had during our week in Florence. Upon leaving the heart of the city, Cinzia drove us to the local B & B where the cooking class took place. A private, cozy kitchen awaited and the cooking began. Using herbs we hand cut from the garden below, Cinzia took us step by step, cut by cut through a traditional Italian dinner experience. We cannot recommend enough the entire experience from start to finish. Better yet, Cinzia will send you the recipes so you can repeat once home with your family and friends.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennybell-reviews
Apr 7, 2019
Exceptional, Informative Class & A Wonderful Meal! - My husband and I enjoyed every moment of this market tour and class, from our shopping through our pasta lesson through dinner conversation. Cinzia is a great instructor and a lovely, warm host. As a pastry professional, I had a great time talking with her about ingredients, cooking for those with allergies and special diets (she's an expert, trust me), and real Tuscan cooking. She had great tips to share that I will use in my own home cooking, and introduced my husband and I to such an easy way of making fresh pasta that we have no excuse not to do it in the future. I will add that if you cook and love cooking, it's really worth it to take a private class - you get the kind of hands-on experience and attention you simply cannot get in a group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maresa
Jul 16, 2018
Lovely evening making pasta - My husband and I enjoyed our time with Cinzia touring several little shops for fresh ingredients and gelato before heading to our class. She is very knowledgeable about the city of Florence, and we learned a lot from her about some of the more recent history of the city and the stores. Cooking with Cinzia was a lot of fun! She catered to our vegetarian diet, and we prepared tagliatelle and ravioli from scratch. We also had a delicious eggplant, mozzarella, and fresh pesto dish, as well as a scrumptious panna cotta. The private setting made it more enjoyable than being in a big group with people you don’t know. Definitely recommend trying this private tour and cooking class with Cinzia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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