Chef Barbara's Tuscan Home Kitchen™

Join Chef Barbara at her home  just a few minutes outside of Florence for genuine Tuscan cooking, followed by a feast on the foods prepared in her professional home kitchen.  Chef Barbara’s cooking tour offers the perfect professional home kitchen and garden for a peaceful and unique experience!

During your stay, check in and relax in our charming B&B Villa set the countryside of Florence, then get ready to cook and visit a Tuscan winery. Tour the vineyard and sample delicious Tuscan wine and olive oil, while learning about harvesting and method with tastings included.  Later in the day, you’ll return to the property and relax.

Cooking Classes

Chef Barbara starts each cooking class starts with an introduction and a stroll through Barbara’s vegetable garden to see and learn about the fruits and vegetables of the season.  Chef Barbara grows seasonal vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, onions, celery, lettuces pumpkins, apples, pears, grapes and more that you will use in the kitchen.  After your visit to the garden, it’s time to cook!!!

Your cooking classes have you prepare a four-course Italian meal, starting with an antipasto such as crostini with mushrooms, or fegatini, traditional chicken liver on toasted bread or Florentine crepese.  Then, you’ll mix and roll out pasta dough and transform it into ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach topped with slow-cooked ragù. Main courses include pollo alla cacciatora, simmered with garden vegetables and olives or turkey roulade stuffed with ham and spinach.  Dessert making follows with Chef Barbara’s zuccotto, domed sponge cake filled with chocolate and whipped cream, or tiramisù and Florentine cream puffs.  Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the foods that were prepared in the cooking class with wine and coffee included.

Tuscan Accommodations

Tuscan Countryside B&B

The countryside B&B Villa is a gorgeous setting for your stay- just minutes from Chef Barbara’s kitchen. The property was originally built in the year 1771 and was renovated and converted to a B&B Villa property with charming bedrooms with private ensuite bathrooms, a breakfast room and an outdoor swimming pool which is open all summer long. Old World blends with modern amenities, comfortable bedding and linens, along with TV, safe, hairdryer and wi-fi internet. Bedrooms overlook the gardens and the surrounding Tuscan hills. The property also includes a farm with peach trees, an olive grove with more than 3,000 olive trees, vineyard, wine cellar and production area where homemade jams and preserves are made. All of the farm’s produce is raised organically.  Each morning, a hearty buffet breakfast is served in the breakfast room or the garden, weather permitting.  Breakfast includes:  fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, artisan cheese from the nearby farm, breads, cakes, biscotti along with coffee, tea and juice.

Tuscan Countryside Villa

Check into the charming country villa set in a romantic garden and close to Chef Barbara.  The boutique property, which was completely renovated keeping the Old World charm, is decorated with a soft palette of smokey blues, subtle roses and pure whites.  Shabby chic furniture, fluffy bedding and soft pillows adorn each spacious room.  Italian linens and fine bedding along with private ensuite baths make your stay cozy and comfortable.  Each morning guests are welcomed to the breakfast where artisan cakes, breads, jams along with farm fresh eggs, coffee, tea and fruit are served.  An outdoor garden area – perfect for sipping wine or reading a book – compliments the property.

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Itinerary ~ 4 Days, 3 Nights

Day 1: Arrival & Check In

• Pick up and transfer from Florence Airport or Train Station to the property.
• Check in and relax.
• In the evening, enjoy a Tuscan Welcome Cheese and Salumi Board, prepared by Chef Barbara. Taste Tuscany’s famous salamis, ham, artisan cheese, fresh grilled vegetables and light salads, along with wood-oven baked bread. Toast with local red or white bottle of wine.  Additional wine and beverages at a surcharge.

Day 2: Market Visit & Cooking Class

• Breakfast is served.
• Your driver will pick you up take you to the outdoor marketplace where you will meet Chef Barbara for an early morning market visit.  Shop with the chef and learn about the produce, cheese, meat, fish, wine, fruits and vegetables in season. Learn how to select the freshest products.
• Following the market tour, return to the kitchen for your hands-on cooking class with Chef Barbara including the preparation of a four-course traditional menu.
• Lunch follows and includes the foods that were prepared in the cooking class.  Local white or red wine along with and coffee is included.
• Afternoon is free to relax at the property, spend the afternoon in Florence, or set out and explore the area nearby.
• Return to the property with your driver.
• Dinner on your own. Suggestions provided upon request.

Day 3: Cooking Class & Tuscan Wine Tour and Tasting

• Your driver will pick you up take you to Chef Barbara’s property for your second hands-on cooking class including the preparation of a four-course traditional menu.
• Lunch follows and includes the foods that were prepared in the cooking class.  Local white or red wine along with and coffee is included.
• Later in the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to an award-winning Tuscan vineyard and cantina in the countryside.  Your private driver will take you to one of the most renowned wineries where you will tour and taste prized Tuscan finger foods, wine and extra virgin olive oil.
• Return to the property with your driver.
• Dinner on your own. Suggestions provided upon request.

• Day 4: Breakfast, Check Out & Departure

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out & departure transfer to Florence Airport or Station.
• Arrivederci!

*Note: This schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saint days or festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the program.