Does anyone know of a one-day cooking class in or around Florence that is fairly affordable?

thanks!

See "www.accidentaltourist.com" They pick you up in a van in Florence and take you to their winery. It is about a 1/2 day cooking class, tour, etc.

About 80 Euros each.

Also look at garga.it or [email protected]. They have a class from 12-4:30 for 155E. Seems a little steep for me.Bon Appetit had a blurb on them in May, 2005. Keep researching this site-I've read other recommendations recently.

Hi I,

I can highly recommend http://www.divinacucina.com/

You can get more feedback on Judy at www.slowtalk.com.

One of the most highly respected cooking teachers in Italy is Faith Willinger. She is also the author of many magazine articles, several cookbooks and guides to eating in Italy. She teaches classes in her 18th Century kitchen in the San Spirito area of Florence. I think they are held on Wednesdays; you visit the market with her before the lesson. Her website is Faithwillinger.com.

Wow Divinacucina....375 Euros per day...


We are going with the Accidental Tourist winery cooking class the last week in December will let you know how it goes.

We went to this class last year at the spectacular Villa Pandolfini. They also picked us up in Florence. Lisa and Maurizio who cooked were delightful people.

The class was a mix of demonstration and hands on... small class in an incredibly beautiful old villa kitchen, set up for modern function, but retaining its wonderful looks.

After cooking, we all had lunch together, and it was the BEST meal. We also had wines and olive oil from the estate. Here is a link:

http://www.tuscany-cooking-class.com/

The one day classes were fairly reasonable, especially considering the great day we had, in such an amazing setting with such great food.

kslanker,

How was the Accidental Tourist cooking tour? I'm looking for one that doesn't break my budget and 80Euros seems fair and reasonable compared to other prices I've seen. Would love to hear your comments,

Monica

Badia il Coltibuono has a one day class. It is held on Wednesdays and Fridays. Just do a google search and you will find the info. It doesn't seem very commercialized like some of the others I searched. It is in a magnificent old abby where there is even a B&B. Good luck!

Ira, I wonder if you could telll us some details about the Divina Cucina cooking classes. I often asked about cooking classes in Florence and I have lots of names but rarely have read a description from anyone who has taken the classes.

There is a full description of a Divina Cucina cooking class at www.slowtrav.com.

It's either in Trip Reports or Travel Notes.

Thanks, Eloise. I wanted to hear Ira's report, too!

Ekscrunchy, you can still hear (read) Ira's report, if he took part in a class, which I doubt.

Eloise, how can I read his report? I went to slowtrav but cannot find the reviews of cooking classes. I am confused because this class is so highly recommended by Ira, yet he does not describe it on Fodors. Is it his review on the slowtrav website? Ira, have you actually taken this class? Thanks, Eloise! You are always very informative!

Eloise, I found the review on slowtrav. Not by Ira.

To the best of my knowledge, Ira has not taken part in a Divina Cucina cooking class and bases his recommendation on the fact that Judy, the owner of Divina Cucina, is a regular poster on www.slowtrav.com.

You can always try to find Ira's report on his trip that included Florence and see if he did, in fact, take part in a class.

Ira, can't you enlighten us? Did you take the class by Judy that you recommended and if so, how was it? Thanks!

I took a culinary trip through these folks six years ago -- I know they offer one day classes as well. http://www.theinternationalkitchen.com

Isabelle1 -
I will be taking the Accidental Tourist cooking class on Feb 23'06 and will let you know how it was.

The description sounded just right for us. It includes a winery tour and then a class to make pasta. It is not an extensive cooking class as the pasta is the only part of lunch that you are involved in preparing. But, as I said, it sounded good for us. And the price can't be beat. Plus, I have exchanged emails with them and they have been very lovely to work with.

LCBoniti, I would love to hear about your cooking class. I booked with the Accidental tourist today.

Thanks,

Monica