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Host: Fabio

Florence, Italy

USD
$130-$240 per person

Traditional Italian cooking class in the countryside of Florence

Host offerings
  • Rural farmhouse
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Fabio

Fabio learned to cook as a young child helping his mother in the kitchen. As an adult, experimenting with recipes became his hobby. Fabio cooks Italian food but in a Tuscan way which means that he uses a few ingredients that are seasonal, local and of the highest quality. He also enjoys cooking Sicilian and Mediterranean food. Fabio is very knowledgeable about Florence and Italy's rich history. He lives with his wife, Christiane, who is a German journalist. An architect and designer by profession, Fabio loves contemporary art, rock, jazz music, tennis and skiing.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (4-12 guests) Fabio lives upon a hill in the countryside of Florence (about 10 km from the city center); his home is tucked away in the hills around Florence, surrounded by olive trees. Fabio and Christiane will welcome you into their cozy, colorful home with a refreshing welcome drink. He will share more about living in Florence and will show you how they pick olives and explain the process of how olive oil is made. Your meal will be prepared using local and seasonal ingredients, and include dishes such as tagliatelle with vegetarian ragù or squid risotto with wild fennel and orange peel, peposo alla fornacina with white beans (cow meat stewed in red wine, garlic and pepper) or seppie in zimino (cuttle fish with spinach or chard), and crostata (short crust pastry) with homemade jam and dried fruits or apple pie.

Cooking experience: (2-12 guests) During your 2-3 hours hands-on Florence cooking class you will first learn to make pasta from scratch. Fabio will introduce you to two machines that are normally used for making Italian pastas and explain how they are used and what the differences are. Once the pasta is done, you will start making the sauce. This could be a simple fresh vegetable sauce with aromatic herbs or, if you prefer fish, a sauce with sardines made the Sicilian way. Next, help Fabio make a vegetable flan or one of his favorites, baccalà con porri e cavolo viola (pan stewed cod with leeks and purple cabbage). For dessert, learn to make a simple cake called castagnaccio, which is a chestnut flour cake topped with pine nuts and baked in the winter or a panna cotta with strawberry coulis in the summer. The recipes are always made with seasonal ingredients so Fabio's menu varies with the seasons!

Notes: Fabio's home is about 10km from the city center, half an hour drive from the meeting location. He or someone appointed by him will pick you up from a central meeting location (Via dei Renai 37, Firenze) and drop you back to the same place after the experience is over. The cost for return transportation from the central meeting location is included in the price. Please include your WhatsApp number or local contact number in your booking so that it is easy to communicate, in case of traffic or other delays. Please note Fabio cannot pick you up from your hotel, you need to meet him at the central meeting location (Via dei Renai 37, Firenze), as private cars are not allowed in the historical center.

Fabio can transfer a group of up to 6 people. If your group is larger than 6 people, Fabio requests that you find transport for the remaining guests and follow him back to his home.

Fabio can accommodate a vegetarian diet in his Italian cooking class, so please inform him in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • A seasonal welcome drink
  • First Course: home-made pasta with vegetarian, meat or fish sauce or Gnudi (kind of naked ravioli)
  • Main Course: pork fillet with almonds and aromatic herbs or fried anchovies in aromatic breading or a vegetarian course
  • Dessert: biscotti di Prato (traditional cookies from Prato) or schiacciata con l’uva (dessert made with grapes during the harvest time)
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

I can honestly say that my experience was positive in every way! Fabio is a great host! His wife Christiane, is also the sweetest lady! Fabio went out of his way to make sure everything was amazing. You can really tell he is very passionate about food and cooking! Everything was so fresh and delicious! Truly, everything was amazing! I really liked the welcome drink Fabio made! It was Campari with fresh squeezed orange juice. I also really enjoyed learning about and watching Fabio make fresh pasta! The whole experience from start to finish couldn’t have been more perfect! I’ll be honest, I was a little sad when dinner was over because I could have stayed longer just chatting with Fabio and his wife. They are such a cute, loving couple. Married 30 years and still crazy in love, you can just tell! I’m very thankful for this experience as I can truly say it was a highlight of my travels through Italy, and definitely in Florence!

Sheena, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (21)
Fabio and Christiane were far and away our best experience during our Italian Vacation. They were our second to last night in Italy and we were glad of it because the food we had there was hard to compete with. Fabio and Christiane were unbelievably accommodating hosts. Their house, was nestled in the hills outside florence. On our way Fabio would make stops to show us the Olive trees and shows us views of the city and country side. Once we got to their house they poured us a glass of wine and took us on a walk of their gorgeoud property. Their Olive trees, herb garden and cats were like something out of a movie. My wife and I had so much fun with them and were grateful for the engaging conversation during the cooking lesson. If you are looking for a break from the fast pace of the cities I would highly encourage you to check this out. My wife and I rank it among our best experience in europe.
- nathan October 06, 2024
Fabio and Christiana were amazing. They welcomed us into their home with a great salad and wine. They used fresh herbs from their gardens and fresh ingredients locally. They contacted us ahead of time for the menu and altered for us based on allergies. We enjoyed talking to them throughout the evening and learning about their lives. They also picked us up and drove us to the hills and showed us Florence from afar. We stayed extra late and started earlier, so that shows we had a great time!
- christian October 05, 2024
I could not have asked for a better experience! It was just me and my now fiancè cooking with Fabio and Christiane. They helped me create the perfect evening to propose. Fabio was so accommodating in planning meals that would not take too long, so we would have light, and he even made the tiramisu have a heart-shaped dusting of cocoa powder. They were more than generous with their time and knowledge, and we learned a lot about Italian cooking.
- jackson August 15, 2024
We had a wonderful time with Fabio. Learned a lot about authentic Tuscan cooking. Happy we chose this experience you will be too.
- Linda_F June 03, 2024
It was an absolutely fantastic experience. Fabio was a brilliant host and we learned SO much from the class and had a great time!! It was truly a pleasure to be welcomed into their home and learn so much. One of the best experiences.
- Laura L April 25, 2024
I had a divine experience with Fabio and his warm and welcoming wife! Fabio and I had discussed prior to my arrival what I wanted to prepare. He was a wonderful teacher and taught me and my partner so much about the Italian cuisine and the small but quite important elements to the Italian cuisine. The kitchen atmosphere and panoramic views were a delight and then dining on our completed dishes was truly a dream come true! Very Dolce Vita!!! Grazie for a true highlight culinary experience. I naturally can only highly recommend this experience. You will not be disappointed but inspired.
- Sean and Tristan March 25, 2024
Meeting Fabio and his wife for a cooking class in their home was a highlight of my time in Florence. I would do it again! Thanks to our hosts.
- Beverly March 02, 2024
The evening of cooking and conversation with Fabio and Christina was definitely a trip highlight that I would higly recommend! They welcomed us into their home and together we cooked a delicious Tuscan meal. Fabio took great lengths to tailor the menu to what we wanted to cook, Parppadelle with wild boar sauce, Pollo alla Cacciatora, and Apple Tart, along with some local red wine- absolutely delicious!! We ate outside looking out onto olive trees and the beauty of the Tuscan hills and stayed for hours having great conversation- an evening in paradise with two amazing people!
- Lovebug June 25, 2023
We went to Italy to visit friends & family. We went to Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi, Florence and Lucca. It was fun, crowded, and busy. But the cooking class with Fabio and his lovely wife in their home above Florence was among the most memorable. He picked us up at about 4:30 and brought us to his home in the hills. There were 4 of us. Before our trip, he was very helpful in accommodating and planning a menu that would work for us. He was easy and flexible. He had the items ready to prepare. We made homemade Pappardelle Cinghiale (one of our favorites), Chicken Cacciatore, and an Apple tart. His manner was easy and fun, and his wife kept us on time. The meal was fun to make and even better to eat. We dined Al Fresco amidst the olive grove and had a wonderful evening. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip, and I can't wait to practice making homemade pasta. I cannot recommend Fabio enough. I am the main cook at home, and he showed me how to be more relaxed and how to have more fun cooking.
- Johnann June 24, 2023
This experience was one of the highlights of our ten day Italy trip. Fabio picked us up from town and took us to his house where we met his wife Christiane. We spent the night learning about the Italian culture and cuisine with two of the best hosts we could have asked for. They were kind, informative, and funny -- just a joy to be around. It was very engaging and we happily participating in preparing the meal through Fabio's guidance. We would highly recommend this to anyone traveling from out of town!
- chadv9 June 12, 2023
My mom wanted to cook in Italy and we were suggested to cook with Fabio in Florence. Fabio is the nicest, most patient and creative cook. He was welcoming and loved sharing his mastery of cooking. We thoroughly enjoyed being with him and his wife Christine and chatting about all things - cats included. If you want to learn to cook an amazing meal as well as get to know more about Florence, culture and life in italy - this is the experience for you. I now need a pasta machine :) and it is not as hard as I thought.
- Lisae124 June 05, 2023
Fabio and a family friend picked us up in Florence not far from where we were staying and drove us to his home in the country side. The views just driving to his home were AMAZING, and we were welcome with prosecco, fresh mozarella and bread with oil made from the olives on the property. We then began preparing our 3 course meal of homemade pasta and sauce, swordfish, cuttlefish, and apple tart. The cooking instruction was fun and informative, and we then got to sit to enjoy our food while getting to know more about Fabio and the area. This was one of our favorite parts of our entire 2 weeks spent in Italy!
- cherylg May 07, 2023
Fabio and Kristiana are top notch hosts. From Working closely with us to develop a menu to the drive back after dessert. We enjoyed our time completely and felt like we said goodbye to new friends when the night was over. The food was interesting and enjoyable, accompanied by nice wine.
- Cindy T April 20, 2023
My husband and I had the most wonderful time with Fabio and his wife Christiane. Fabio picked us up in Florence and we had a beautiful scenic drive in the country to his home. He even stopped at an overlook so we could get out and see Florence below us. Once at their home, Fabio and Christiane we're so warm and friendly. We felt as if we were old friends. We loved hearing stories of how they met and their lives together. Fabio provided us with a welcome drink as we learned how to prepare a traditional Florentine meal. We made ricotta cheese and spinach gnudi (my personal favorite), peposo (my husband's favorite), stewed artichokes, and for dessert, castagnaccio. We were there on Valentine's day and Fabio put his own special touch on the cake to make it extra special. We stayed much longer than the tour time designated just eating, drinking, and having lovely conversation. Prior to coming, Fabio communicated frequently with us to make sure the menu he had planned was something we would enjoy and he had no trouble changing things that we were unsure of. Afterwards, he sent us the recipes so we could make them at home as well. We did so many wonderful things in Italy, but this was by far our favorite!
- Lexibugg January 22, 2023
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Fabio and his wife, Christiane. We learned some delicious recipes, enjoyed lovely conversation, and had a spectacular dinner outside in their backyard located on a beautiful estate surrounded by the most amazing views! I highly recommend this cooking class experience. It is a highlight of our travels to Italy in July 2022! Lisa & Mike
- Lisa M October 23, 2022
Truly the highlight of our time in Italy. We spent the afternoon with Fabio and his wife, Christiane, learning some traditional recipes including ricotta and chard stuffed ravioli and a traditional ligurian dish of salt cod with chickpeas. But the best was having an afternoon of delicious food , wine, and conversation discussing music and books in the Tuscan countryside. It felt like we were visiting old friends. Fabio provided all the recipes so that we can try again now that we have returned home.
- stevecp September 23, 2022
Fabio was wonderful, generous and made this a highlight of our trip to Italy. His wife Christiana joined as well and shared her delicious homemade plum chutney and shared how they cured olives from the grove outside their house. I wish I could give them 6 stars. Thank you!
- steveCP September 17, 2022
We had an amazing experience with Fabio and his wife Christiane. My wife and I were traveling in Italy for 2 weeks on our honeymoon and spent a few days in Florence. We booked this cooking class with Fabio a few months in advance and he reached out ahead of time to customize the menu/food to our preferences. We ended up making homemade pasta with a white bean sauce with bacon & peppers plus a couple sides (fried zucchini and chicken rolls). Fabio is very knowledgeable and offered all sorts of insights about the ingredients, cooking tips, etc, throughout the process. We had great local wine and were greeted with a plate of local cheese when we arrived. All of the food was incredible and as good as anything we had in Italy - and it was certainly one of the most memorable overall experiences. Fabio picked us up and dropped us off in downtown Florence. They live at the top of a mountain on the outskirts of Florence and the drive was unbelievably scenic. Their house is surrounded by gardens, olive trees and all sorts of wildlife - a very authentic tuscan countryside experience. We prepared the food in the kitchen but the weather was nice so we ate at their table outside in the garden/yard. The cooking class was supposed to be from 5:00-9:00pm but we were having such a great time chatting with Fabio & Christiane after dinner that we lost track of time and ended up staying until 11:00pm. Fabio & Christiane were such amazing hosts and were not the least bit upset that we stayed that late. They are great people clearly appreciate getting to know their guests and were hospitable from beginning to end. Your response
- davidmA6009ZT June 27, 2022
We had a wonderful time with Fabio and Christine. The food was fresh from a local market or from their garden. The experience was amazing, fresh food, good wine and the conversation was delightful. The day was perfect to sit on their patio for a wonderful lunch. It was so nice to get out of the city and learn about the area. Since we have been home we have made the dishes several times with confidence. We are planning a return visit and look forward to another session with wonderful teachers.
- amyjoa9 September 09, 2021
After a full day in Florence visiting museums and galleries, we were really looking forward to our personalized dining experience. Our visit to the home of Fabio and Christiane exceeded all of our expectations. In the weeks before we arrived, we communicated with Fabio several times discussing the menu. This allowed us input into our meal and Fabio did the rest, creating a wonderful 3 course lunch. After picking us up directly from our hotel, we drove to their charming home high on a hill, taking in beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside. We were greeted by Christiane and immediately felt right at home. We spent the next 2 1/2 hours in their kitchen sipping Campari, chatting about a host of topics and helping Fabio prepare our meal. We prepared and baked a delicious Apple Tart, then Pappa al Pomodoro, which we had requested and finally learned how to make home made pasta which we used to make our main course of seafood/ricotta stuffed tortelli in a creamed zucchini sauce. The meal was absolutely delicious ( our best in Florence ) and served with a wonderful local wine while seated next to a cozy open fire. Fabio and Christiane even took time between courses to explain all about different olive oils, which included sampling with his own homemade bread. Before we knew it, almost 5 hours had flown by since we started our day. Florence is a beautiful city but to really appreciate Tuscan life and the people there ( not to mention a meal you won’t forget ) we would highly recommend this dining experience arranged through the Traveling Spoon.
- Ontherun1976 May 03, 2019
My husband and I had such a wonderful time with Fabio and his wife, Christiane. First Fabio picked us up in town and drove us back to his home in the outskirts of Florence - during the drive we stopped to enjoy the beautiful view of Florence and talk about the surrounding olive trees and the olive oil making process. Next we arrived at Fabio's cozy, friendly home where he had prepared the whole space to welcome us - there were welcome drinks, an appetizer and a warm fire burning in the living room. We proceeded to make homemade pasta using his antique family hand-press pasta maker (he has a modern pasta press also), gallinella (fish) fillet sauce with fresh tomatoes, squid with spinach, fried anchovies and a shortcrust pastry tart with homemade jams. The entire time Fabio was happy to answer my question and explain everything step by step, letting me be as involved as I wanted to be. (No need for ME to touch the anchovies, right?!) We had a wonderful wine that was from a vineyard owned by a good friend of Fabio's. Dinner was served on their family china and was so good! The best food we had in Italy which is defiantly saying something!! Both Fabio and Christiane speak English really well and the conversation was very engaging and fun. They are an adorable couple who clearly enjoy each other, good food, meeting new people and their wonderful home. I couldn't say enough wonderful things about this experience. You should book this experience too so it can be the highlight of YOUR trip, you won't be sorry!
- JulieTravelerItaly April 25, 2019
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Fabio

$130-$240 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $158 $130
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $240 $204
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $158 $130
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $240 $204
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:30pm-3:30pm 7:30pm-10:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Fabio

Fabio learned to cook as a young child helping his mother in the kitchen. As an adult, experimenting with recipes became his hobby. Fabio cooks Italian food but in a Tuscan way which means that he uses a few ingredients that are seasonal, local and of the highest quality. He also enjoys cooking Sicilian and Mediterranean food. Fabio is very knowledgeable about Florence and Italy's rich history. He lives with his wife, Christiane, who is a German journalist. An architect and designer by profession, Fabio loves contemporary art, rock, jazz music, tennis and skiing.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (4-12 guests) Fabio lives upon a hill in the countryside of Florence (about 10 km from the city center); his home is tucked away in the hills around Florence, surrounded by olive trees. Fabio and Christiane will welcome you into their cozy, colorful home with a refreshing welcome drink. He will share more about living in Florence and will show you how they pick olives and explain the process of how olive oil is made. Your meal will be prepared using local and seasonal ingredients, and include dishes such as tagliatelle with vegetarian ragù or squid risotto with wild fennel and orange peel, peposo alla fornacina with white beans (cow meat stewed in red wine, garlic and pepper) or seppie in zimino (cuttle fish with spinach or chard), and crostata (short crust pastry) with homemade jam and dried fruits or apple pie.

Cooking experience: (2-12 guests) During your 2-3 hours hands-on Florence cooking class you will first learn to make pasta from scratch. Fabio will introduce you to two machines that are normally used for making Italian pastas and explain how they are used and what the differences are. Once the pasta is done, you will start making the sauce. This could be a simple fresh vegetable sauce with aromatic herbs or, if you prefer fish, a sauce with sardines made the Sicilian way. Next, help Fabio make a vegetable flan or one of his favorites, baccalà con porri e cavolo viola (pan stewed cod with leeks and purple cabbage). For dessert, learn to make a simple cake called castagnaccio, which is a chestnut flour cake topped with pine nuts and baked in the winter or a panna cotta with strawberry coulis in the summer. The recipes are always made with seasonal ingredients so Fabio's menu varies with the seasons!

Notes: Fabio's home is about 10km from the city center, half an hour drive from the meeting location. He or someone appointed by him will pick you up from a central meeting location (Via dei Renai 37, Firenze) and drop you back to the same place after the experience is over. The cost for return transportation from the central meeting location is included in the price. Please include your WhatsApp number or local contact number in your booking so that it is easy to communicate, in case of traffic or other delays. Please note Fabio cannot pick you up from your hotel, you need to meet him at the central meeting location (Via dei Renai 37, Firenze), as private cars are not allowed in the historical center.

Fabio can transfer a group of up to 6 people. If your group is larger than 6 people, Fabio requests that you find transport for the remaining guests and follow him back to his home.

Fabio can accommodate a vegetarian diet in his Italian cooking class, so please inform him in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • A seasonal welcome drink
  • First Course: home-made pasta with vegetarian, meat or fish sauce or Gnudi (kind of naked ravioli)
  • Main Course: pork fillet with almonds and aromatic herbs or fried anchovies in aromatic breading or a vegetarian course
  • Dessert: biscotti di Prato (traditional cookies from Prato) or schiacciata con l’uva (dessert made with grapes during the harvest time)
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

I can honestly say that my experience was positive in every way! Fabio is a great host! His wife Christiane, is also the sweetest lady! Fabio went out of his way to make sure everything was amazing. You can really tell he is very passionate about food and cooking! Everything was so fresh and delicious! Truly, everything was amazing! I really liked the welcome drink Fabio made! It was Campari with fresh squeezed orange juice. I also really enjoyed learning about and watching Fabio make fresh pasta! The whole experience from start to finish couldn’t have been more perfect! I’ll be honest, I was a little sad when dinner was over because I could have stayed longer just chatting with Fabio and his wife. They are such a cute, loving couple. Married 30 years and still crazy in love, you can just tell! I’m very thankful for this experience as I can truly say it was a highlight of my travels through Italy, and definitely in Florence!

Sheena, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (21)
Fabio and Christiane were far and away our best experience during our Italian Vacation. They were our second to last night in Italy and we were glad of it because the food we had there was hard to compete with. Fabio and Christiane were unbelievably accommodating hosts. Their house, was nestled in the hills outside florence. On our way Fabio would make stops to show us the Olive trees and shows us views of the city and country side. Once we got to their house they poured us a glass of wine and took us on a walk of their gorgeoud property. Their Olive trees, herb garden and cats were like something out of a movie. My wife and I had so much fun with them and were grateful for the engaging conversation during the cooking lesson. If you are looking for a break from the fast pace of the cities I would highly encourage you to check this out. My wife and I rank it among our best experience in europe.
- nathan October 06, 2024
Fabio and Christiana were amazing. They welcomed us into their home with a great salad and wine. They used fresh herbs from their gardens and fresh ingredients locally. They contacted us ahead of time for the menu and altered for us based on allergies. We enjoyed talking to them throughout the evening and learning about their lives. They also picked us up and drove us to the hills and showed us Florence from afar. We stayed extra late and started earlier, so that shows we had a great time!
- christian October 05, 2024
I could not have asked for a better experience! It was just me and my now fiancè cooking with Fabio and Christiane. They helped me create the perfect evening to propose. Fabio was so accommodating in planning meals that would not take too long, so we would have light, and he even made the tiramisu have a heart-shaped dusting of cocoa powder. They were more than generous with their time and knowledge, and we learned a lot about Italian cooking.
- jackson August 15, 2024
We had a wonderful time with Fabio. Learned a lot about authentic Tuscan cooking. Happy we chose this experience you will be too.
- Linda_F June 03, 2024
It was an absolutely fantastic experience. Fabio was a brilliant host and we learned SO much from the class and had a great time!! It was truly a pleasure to be welcomed into their home and learn so much. One of the best experiences.
- Laura L April 25, 2024
I had a divine experience with Fabio and his warm and welcoming wife! Fabio and I had discussed prior to my arrival what I wanted to prepare. He was a wonderful teacher and taught me and my partner so much about the Italian cuisine and the small but quite important elements to the Italian cuisine. The kitchen atmosphere and panoramic views were a delight and then dining on our completed dishes was truly a dream come true! Very Dolce Vita!!! Grazie for a true highlight culinary experience. I naturally can only highly recommend this experience. You will not be disappointed but inspired.
- Sean and Tristan March 25, 2024
Meeting Fabio and his wife for a cooking class in their home was a highlight of my time in Florence. I would do it again! Thanks to our hosts.
- Beverly March 02, 2024
The evening of cooking and conversation with Fabio and Christina was definitely a trip highlight that I would higly recommend! They welcomed us into their home and together we cooked a delicious Tuscan meal. Fabio took great lengths to tailor the menu to what we wanted to cook, Parppadelle with wild boar sauce, Pollo alla Cacciatora, and Apple Tart, along with some local red wine- absolutely delicious!! We ate outside looking out onto olive trees and the beauty of the Tuscan hills and stayed for hours having great conversation- an evening in paradise with two amazing people!
- Lovebug June 25, 2023
We went to Italy to visit friends & family. We went to Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi, Florence and Lucca. It was fun, crowded, and busy. But the cooking class with Fabio and his lovely wife in their home above Florence was among the most memorable. He picked us up at about 4:30 and brought us to his home in the hills. There were 4 of us. Before our trip, he was very helpful in accommodating and planning a menu that would work for us. He was easy and flexible. He had the items ready to prepare. We made homemade Pappardelle Cinghiale (one of our favorites), Chicken Cacciatore, and an Apple tart. His manner was easy and fun, and his wife kept us on time. The meal was fun to make and even better to eat. We dined Al Fresco amidst the olive grove and had a wonderful evening. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip, and I can't wait to practice making homemade pasta. I cannot recommend Fabio enough. I am the main cook at home, and he showed me how to be more relaxed and how to have more fun cooking.
- Johnann June 24, 2023
This experience was one of the highlights of our ten day Italy trip. Fabio picked us up from town and took us to his house where we met his wife Christiane. We spent the night learning about the Italian culture and cuisine with two of the best hosts we could have asked for. They were kind, informative, and funny -- just a joy to be around. It was very engaging and we happily participating in preparing the meal through Fabio's guidance. We would highly recommend this to anyone traveling from out of town!
- chadv9 June 12, 2023
My mom wanted to cook in Italy and we were suggested to cook with Fabio in Florence. Fabio is the nicest, most patient and creative cook. He was welcoming and loved sharing his mastery of cooking. We thoroughly enjoyed being with him and his wife Christine and chatting about all things - cats included. If you want to learn to cook an amazing meal as well as get to know more about Florence, culture and life in italy - this is the experience for you. I now need a pasta machine :) and it is not as hard as I thought.
- Lisae124 June 05, 2023
Fabio and a family friend picked us up in Florence not far from where we were staying and drove us to his home in the country side. The views just driving to his home were AMAZING, and we were welcome with prosecco, fresh mozarella and bread with oil made from the olives on the property. We then began preparing our 3 course meal of homemade pasta and sauce, swordfish, cuttlefish, and apple tart. The cooking instruction was fun and informative, and we then got to sit to enjoy our food while getting to know more about Fabio and the area. This was one of our favorite parts of our entire 2 weeks spent in Italy!
- cherylg May 07, 2023
Fabio and Kristiana are top notch hosts. From Working closely with us to develop a menu to the drive back after dessert. We enjoyed our time completely and felt like we said goodbye to new friends when the night was over. The food was interesting and enjoyable, accompanied by nice wine.
- Cindy T April 20, 2023
My husband and I had the most wonderful time with Fabio and his wife Christiane. Fabio picked us up in Florence and we had a beautiful scenic drive in the country to his home. He even stopped at an overlook so we could get out and see Florence below us. Once at their home, Fabio and Christiane we're so warm and friendly. We felt as if we were old friends. We loved hearing stories of how they met and their lives together. Fabio provided us with a welcome drink as we learned how to prepare a traditional Florentine meal. We made ricotta cheese and spinach gnudi (my personal favorite), peposo (my husband's favorite), stewed artichokes, and for dessert, castagnaccio. We were there on Valentine's day and Fabio put his own special touch on the cake to make it extra special. We stayed much longer than the tour time designated just eating, drinking, and having lovely conversation. Prior to coming, Fabio communicated frequently with us to make sure the menu he had planned was something we would enjoy and he had no trouble changing things that we were unsure of. Afterwards, he sent us the recipes so we could make them at home as well. We did so many wonderful things in Italy, but this was by far our favorite!
- Lexibugg January 22, 2023
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Fabio and his wife, Christiane. We learned some delicious recipes, enjoyed lovely conversation, and had a spectacular dinner outside in their backyard located on a beautiful estate surrounded by the most amazing views! I highly recommend this cooking class experience. It is a highlight of our travels to Italy in July 2022! Lisa & Mike
- Lisa M October 23, 2022
Truly the highlight of our time in Italy. We spent the afternoon with Fabio and his wife, Christiane, learning some traditional recipes including ricotta and chard stuffed ravioli and a traditional ligurian dish of salt cod with chickpeas. But the best was having an afternoon of delicious food , wine, and conversation discussing music and books in the Tuscan countryside. It felt like we were visiting old friends. Fabio provided all the recipes so that we can try again now that we have returned home.
- stevecp September 23, 2022
Fabio was wonderful, generous and made this a highlight of our trip to Italy. His wife Christiana joined as well and shared her delicious homemade plum chutney and shared how they cured olives from the grove outside their house. I wish I could give them 6 stars. Thank you!
- steveCP September 17, 2022
We had an amazing experience with Fabio and his wife Christiane. My wife and I were traveling in Italy for 2 weeks on our honeymoon and spent a few days in Florence. We booked this cooking class with Fabio a few months in advance and he reached out ahead of time to customize the menu/food to our preferences. We ended up making homemade pasta with a white bean sauce with bacon & peppers plus a couple sides (fried zucchini and chicken rolls). Fabio is very knowledgeable and offered all sorts of insights about the ingredients, cooking tips, etc, throughout the process. We had great local wine and were greeted with a plate of local cheese when we arrived. All of the food was incredible and as good as anything we had in Italy - and it was certainly one of the most memorable overall experiences. Fabio picked us up and dropped us off in downtown Florence. They live at the top of a mountain on the outskirts of Florence and the drive was unbelievably scenic. Their house is surrounded by gardens, olive trees and all sorts of wildlife - a very authentic tuscan countryside experience. We prepared the food in the kitchen but the weather was nice so we ate at their table outside in the garden/yard. The cooking class was supposed to be from 5:00-9:00pm but we were having such a great time chatting with Fabio & Christiane after dinner that we lost track of time and ended up staying until 11:00pm. Fabio & Christiane were such amazing hosts and were not the least bit upset that we stayed that late. They are great people clearly appreciate getting to know their guests and were hospitable from beginning to end. Your response
- davidmA6009ZT June 27, 2022
We had a wonderful time with Fabio and Christine. The food was fresh from a local market or from their garden. The experience was amazing, fresh food, good wine and the conversation was delightful. The day was perfect to sit on their patio for a wonderful lunch. It was so nice to get out of the city and learn about the area. Since we have been home we have made the dishes several times with confidence. We are planning a return visit and look forward to another session with wonderful teachers.
- amyjoa9 September 09, 2021
After a full day in Florence visiting museums and galleries, we were really looking forward to our personalized dining experience. Our visit to the home of Fabio and Christiane exceeded all of our expectations. In the weeks before we arrived, we communicated with Fabio several times discussing the menu. This allowed us input into our meal and Fabio did the rest, creating a wonderful 3 course lunch. After picking us up directly from our hotel, we drove to their charming home high on a hill, taking in beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside. We were greeted by Christiane and immediately felt right at home. We spent the next 2 1/2 hours in their kitchen sipping Campari, chatting about a host of topics and helping Fabio prepare our meal. We prepared and baked a delicious Apple Tart, then Pappa al Pomodoro, which we had requested and finally learned how to make home made pasta which we used to make our main course of seafood/ricotta stuffed tortelli in a creamed zucchini sauce. The meal was absolutely delicious ( our best in Florence ) and served with a wonderful local wine while seated next to a cozy open fire. Fabio and Christiane even took time between courses to explain all about different olive oils, which included sampling with his own homemade bread. Before we knew it, almost 5 hours had flown by since we started our day. Florence is a beautiful city but to really appreciate Tuscan life and the people there ( not to mention a meal you won’t forget ) we would highly recommend this dining experience arranged through the Traveling Spoon.
- Ontherun1976 May 03, 2019
My husband and I had such a wonderful time with Fabio and his wife, Christiane. First Fabio picked us up in town and drove us back to his home in the outskirts of Florence - during the drive we stopped to enjoy the beautiful view of Florence and talk about the surrounding olive trees and the olive oil making process. Next we arrived at Fabio's cozy, friendly home where he had prepared the whole space to welcome us - there were welcome drinks, an appetizer and a warm fire burning in the living room. We proceeded to make homemade pasta using his antique family hand-press pasta maker (he has a modern pasta press also), gallinella (fish) fillet sauce with fresh tomatoes, squid with spinach, fried anchovies and a shortcrust pastry tart with homemade jams. The entire time Fabio was happy to answer my question and explain everything step by step, letting me be as involved as I wanted to be. (No need for ME to touch the anchovies, right?!) We had a wonderful wine that was from a vineyard owned by a good friend of Fabio's. Dinner was served on their family china and was so good! The best food we had in Italy which is defiantly saying something!! Both Fabio and Christiane speak English really well and the conversation was very engaging and fun. They are an adorable couple who clearly enjoy each other, good food, meeting new people and their wonderful home. I couldn't say enough wonderful things about this experience. You should book this experience too so it can be the highlight of YOUR trip, you won't be sorry!
- JulieTravelerItaly April 25, 2019
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $158 $130
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $240 $204
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $158 $130
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $240 $204
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:30pm-3:30pm 7:30pm-10:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.