Shopping & Cooking like locals
Cooking ClassesDuration: 1 hour for shopping - 3 hours for the cooking class + time for lunch
Rates
BUY THE BEST INGREDIENTS AND PREPARE YOUR MEMORABLE LUNCH
Do you want to help us doing the shopping for your Tuscan cooking class? This is now possible! In the company of our guide, you will do the shopping of the food you need in the local little shops in one of the hilltop towns near the cooking venue. After that we will move to the cooking venue to prepare an unforgettable meal!
Discover the true essence of Tuscan living with our “Shopping & Cooking Like Locals” experience. We invite you to actively participate in the preparation of your Tuscan cooking class by joining our guide on a shopping adventure in one of the enchanting hilltop towns near the cooking venue. Possible locations include Peccioli, Lajatico, Terricciola, or Palaia. By doing so, you not only enhance your experience but also contribute to supporting the local small communities of Tuscany.
Here’s what the experience entails:
1. Shopping Excursion:
• Accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, explore the local little shops in the chosen hilltop town.
• Engage with local vendors, seek their advice on the best ingredients, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere.
• Experience the authenticity of Tuscan life as you select the freshest fruits, vegetables, the perfect cut of meat, or the finest piece of bread, just as the locals do.
2. Cooking Class:
• Drive to the cooking venue and embark on a culinary journey with our local cook.
• Learn the art of preparing a lunch featuring three traditional dishes, delving into the most typical family recipes of Tuscany.
• Throughout the class and lunch, indulge in local wines that complement the flavors of your creations.
By participating in this unique experience, you not only refine your culinary skills but also engage with the local community, fostering a genuine connection with the people and traditions of Tuscany. It’s a delightful blend of cultural immersion and hands-on cooking, creating memories that linger long after the meal is enjoyed. Join us in supporting local communities and savoring the true essence of Tuscan life.
Vegetarian or Vegan options available on request.
Buon Appetito!
This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this class. Please, note that the specialties of the menu prepared at the class may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the class.
In our cooking class we like telling you a lot about Tuscan farms and farmers' cooking traditions, introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters.
You will have one of our guides as a language assistants and coordinator with you during the whole class. Please, see below all the guides and language assistants who can be with you.
During this experience you will also meet one of our Tuscan cooks who give you the cooking class. Please, see below which cooks you are likely to encounter.
Buongiorno a tutti! My name is Anna from San Miniato, a historical town in Tuscany famous also for its delicious white truffles. I met Arianna and Massimo in the early 2000s, when we were all working at a local agriturismo: I was at the reception while they were starting their career as event organizers and food tour operators. As their company was expanding we had several occasions for cooperating until I finally joined the team more stably in 2022. I now deal with accountancy and coordination of all the chefs for the many services a day that we arrange. I spend most of my free time at sea as I now live in Livorno, a beautiful harbor town. 
Hello everybody! My name is Davide, the youngest one in the team of Arianna & Friends. I joined the company in 2022, when my aunt Ester, one of the chefs in the team, introduced me to Arianna & Massimo. I am a wonderful talker and I really enjoy entertaining our guests during cooking classes and foodie tours. I also deal with bookings related to Teatro del Silenzio. Being from Lajatico, I am really happy to arrange holidays to people who will visit my hometown.
I am a very ironic person who likes making life enjoyable, something that my colleagues really appreciate on a daily base. I really hope I can meet many people from all over the world thanks to my job. Ciao ciao! 
Ciao, I'm Silvia, one of the youngest cooks at Arianna & Friends'. Cooking is my real passion and I like to prepare any traditional dish both for visitors and for my family. I also love baking pizza as well as trying innovative food and special contemporary techniques, especially in my kitchen at home. When I started working for this company in 2018, I met an incredible team of collaborators and with them I finally feel joy and serenity in what I do. Any time I work as a cook I can breath freedom and this makes me happy.
As I really love the sea, in my free time I like being at the beach. I have a passion for travelling and being in the company of my friends. I could define myself as a "free spirit" with a big attraction to ... hats !!!
Looking forward to meet you all! 
Ciao, I'm Ester, one of the cooks of Arianna & Friends'. I've been working with them since the beginning of their adventure in 2007.
I love cooking together with people from all over the world, especailly with young kids.
What I prefer to cook is pasta dishes, pizza and desserts, like for example the stunning cake I made to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary.
I live, like Davide (my nephew), in the little village of Lajatico, birthplace of Andrea Bocelli and from my home I can hear his voice and see something when Teatro del Silenzio takes place in July.
I live on a farm and I have chickens, rabbits, a large vegetable garden. I make my own olive oil and wine together with my family.
I hope to be able to cook with many of you in the years to come and teach you a lot of our typical Tuscan food. 
Mi chiamo Carlo, the only "boy" among the chefs of Arianna & Friends. I am a cousin of Lorena, who has worked with the company for long now and who introduced me to them back in 2022. I live in Pontedera, home of Vespa, and I have been cooking all my life, since preparing delicious food has always been my great passion. In my working age I was an operator for an insurance company, so I know plenty of local people and I am very friendly and talkative. I then retired and decided to dedicate myself to the things I like the most: cooking and joining friends. I have limited Enlish but miraculously all our guests can easily understand me through my body language and face expressions. I will be waiting for you for great barbecue dinners and traditional dishes of all kinds! 
Hi everybody, ciao a tutti. I am Elisabetta and I am the youngest one among the chefs of Arianna & Friends. I have been working with the company for several years, initially just as a sous-chef and eventually as a proper chef. I have accumulated many years of experience while learning from all my other colleague chefs, but I also added my personal taste and knowledge to the whole. I am really happy to be part of this team and to be able to meet people from all over the world. In my free time I enjoy the company of my lovely puppy for long walks or just hanging around for shopping. Ciao a presto! 
Marco is a very fascinating middle-aged man with plenty of interests and a great knowledge on botanics and farming. He has been cooperating with Arianna & Friends as a sous-chef in cooking classes and chef services. A great professionalism and care for the quality of service make him one of the most beloved members of all the team. 
Eccomi! My name is Margherita, mother of 2, who lives in Santa Croce sull'Arno. I was born and raised in the fantastic wine region of Fiano, Greco and Taurasi, namely some the best wines from the South of Italy. I have been living in Tuscany for decades and I have always cooked both for my families and for several restaurants. My very mild and sweet personality is able to create a very relaxed working ambience and my guests really appreciate this atmosphere. I am a curious person who likes learning and I am ready to share my knowledge with all visitors who take on a cooking class or a chef service. Grazie a tutti! 
Maria Grazia, in our team called MG, is a very positive thinking lady who works as a sous-chefs at Arianna & Friends, when she is not busy helping children get born. In fact she is also a professional
obstetrician! A nice irony in her character, combined with an intrinsic calm when working, create
an incredible effect during the services provided. 
Hi everybody! I am Paola, a talented cook who is never tired. I have been cooking all my life both privately and in the kitchens of a series of restaurants in the area I live in, near the central town of Empoli. I joined Arianna & Friends in early 2022 as the whole world was recovering from the difficult years of the pandemic and as the company was quickly restarting its operativity. I was very glad that I could join such a dynamic and friendly team and share with them all my knowledge and passion. I deal with cooking classes and chef services in all the region together with the various story-tellers and chef assistants who participate in the service. In my free time I enjoy cycling in the spectacular Tuscan hills that surround my home town. I can't wait to cook for you an unforgettable meal! 
Giulietta is a sweet little donkey living at Rita's Farm. She is among the several pets on the farm together with Elsa the dog and Primo and Tuga the cats and a number of chickens and ducks 
The total rate for this activity varies according to the number of people in your party.
Check rates in the table below.
SHOPPING & COOKING LIKE LOCALS– RATES 2025 – |
|
|---|---|
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY |
TOTAL RATE |
| 2 persons | € 580 |
| 3 persons | € 640 |
| 4 persons | € 700 |
| 5 persons | € 760 |
| 6 persons | € 820 |
| 7 persons | € 880 |
| 8 persons | € 940 |
| Extra Adult | € 60 |
| Extra Teenager (12-17 yrs) | € 50 |
| Child (4-11 yrs) | € 40 |
Rates include
- A private local chef at your disposal
- A private English speaking assistant and story teller at your disposal. Available also in German, French, Spanish and Russian
- 1 hour shopping in town
- private cooking class
- all food and materials
- unlimited wine from the farm (white and red)
- lunch after the class
- personal apron as souvenir
- booklet where to take note
- tax
Rates do NOT include
- Transportation
- Tips to the staff. Not included, not obligatory but very much appreciated
This cooking class takes place in the rural area of central Tuscany, among Pisa, San Gimignano and Volterra, 10 km from Selvatelle
MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the meeting point with the guide is at our office in La Rosa or at an agreed meeting point
DURATION:
This program takes 5 or 6 hours: 1 hour for shopping, 2 to 3 hours for cooking and the rest for dinner/lunch and relaxation. Time for transportation not included.
AVAILABILITY:
Available all the year through, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Timing is flexible. After a morning class lunch is served. After an afternoon class dinner is served.
LANGUAGE:
This class is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Russian or Italian with no surcharge.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy
CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children
CLOTHING:
No particular clothing required.
FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
The foods served during this cooking class might contain gluten, lactose, nuts and alcohol. If you have any food restriction, please inform our personnel during the enquiry process.
TRANSPORTATION:
This program and its rates do not include transportation and are set on a self-driving base. For further information see the box "transportation options".
The destinations reached during this activity are in the Tuscan countryside, in areas off the beaten track that cannot be reached by public transport. We highly recommend renting a car or a scooter in order to reach them. As an alternative, we can offer a valued service by chauffeured car, van or minibus. Any cost of transportation is to be added to the rates displayed on the rate table of this page.
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