As part of our two week girl-trip to Italy in May 2007, we will be visiting Tuscany, Rome, and Venice. While in Tuscany, one of my girlfriends wants to participate in a cooking class. Any suggestions?? Links to websites will be helpful, as well as your feedback. Thanks!

One of the best and most entertaining cooking class you could take would be with Judy Witts Francini in Florence:
htpp://www.divinacucina.com.
She is fantastic!

I second the recommendation of Judy Witts Francini's cooking class in Florence, and I think this would be great fun with a group of women friends. This is a hands-on class that begins with a visit to the Mercato Centrale food market. The market is a great place to make some food-related purchases to take home.

See my story of our day with Judy here: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/food/kw_divinacucina.htm (includes links to photos).

If you are staying in the Tuscan countryside, I would NOT recommend driving into Florence. There are several places where you could take a train into Florence, and Judy's cooking studio is a short walk from the main station.

Kathy

Are children (age 12) allowed to take the class?

Read my piece (link above) and you'll see that our 11-year old daughter joined us for the class. She had a great time and was an active clas member.

That said, I think it's something you'd need to talk to Judy about. A child would need to be old/mature enough to appreciate the cooking experience and not detract from the experience of other participants.

Kathy

Hi J,

Also check www.slowtalk.com

[email protected] is a website that I recently contacted for a class with my 10 year old. Once we cement our dates I fully plan on taking a class in July.

DD studied in Siena and took cooking classes that I can testify were fantastic! Check it out at www.sienacookingculture.com/

this question was on my mind this AM, thanks!