Le Baccanti Tours organizes Italian vacations that dreams are made of- but did you know we specialize very much so in cooking classes, too? We offer cooking classes in Italy's top destinations like Milan, Venice, Genova, Palermo (Sicily), Sorrento and we have a wide arrange of options for cooking classes in Tuscany, too. Most people visit Italy for food, as Italian food is one of the most beloved world cuisines. Tuscany has a wonderful food culture and culinary history. Tuscan is most popular for the "peasant cuisine" which was developed during times of austerity in the region affected by war and economic depression. Traditional foods in the cucina povera are cabbages, bean soups, bread salads, offal (like tripe), tomato based sauces, pastas (pasta fagioli is a staple of the genre) and olive oil cakes. Modern Tuscan cuisine has taken a turn for more luxurious tastes while still paying homage to scarce times with the addition of cured meats, wild boar, aged cheeses, robust wines and rich steaks. The best meal in Tuscany should involve artisan salami and prosciutto, sheep's milk cheeses, wild honey and jams, slow cooked rags and hand made pasta, roast meats and seasonal vegetables like kale or rosemary baked root vegetables. Why not go deeper into the cuisine with a cooking class during your visit in Tuscany? Here are our current cooking class options to help you decide on the best course for you:FLORENCE CITY COOKING CLASSES:Cooking with Anna- This cooking class is possibly our most popular class as our teacher is a Sicilian "nonna" and gives classes on simple, Tuscan cuisine in the privacy of her own home. After cooking with Anna, you might want to become apart of the family and never go home! This course is perfect for individuals, groups and families. You'll have a true, rustic culinary experience with Anna in Florence.Patrizia's Central Day Cooking Class- With Patrizia, you are able to experience the farmer's markets in Florence and have a market-to-table cooking class. Patrizia is an internationally recognized food and wine journalist and she speaks a few languages, including very fine English. Patrizia is originally from the Emilia-Romagna region, which is famous for pastas. Patrizia can make virtually any pasta by hand including small tortellini. This cooking class will includes wine pairing for the prepared meal as well.Vegetarian Cooking Class with Cinzia- Cinzia is a warm, hospitable Florentine native and knows the real Tuscan cuisine, even dating back to the Renaissance era. She is one of the most talented chefs in Italy and she can teach students everything about Tuscan cuisine without the use of meat for our travelers who do not eat a meat or diet composed of animal products. The unique aspects of Cinzia is that she can teach you how to make tofu or seitan from scratch and use it as a meat substitute for traditional Tuscan dishes. These classes are also given in the comfort of her immaculate home and you will take home a friend in addition to an invaluable cooking class.WINE COUNTRY NEAR FLORENCEPasta making in Chianti- Learn how to make several pastas by hand in a quiet town of Chianti, just 45 minutes from Florence. This class is perfect for those intending to do a wine tour in the afternoon.Cooking class in a Winery- This winery is apart of an historic estate and they produce fabulous wine and olive oil With this cooking class, you will learn traditional Tuscan cooking on a small piece of history but you will also have the option to tour the winery and the olive groves.Pizza making in Chianti- This class you do not want to miss if you are a pizza lover. This is a pizza class given by one of the best pizza chefs in all of Italy. Our pizzaiolo comes from the pizza capital of Naples and has been spinning pies since he was a small chap. The best part of the class involves you making your own pizza of course, but you are welcomed with prosecco to enjoy the rolling Tuscan panoramas on the rooftop of the pizza kitchen. This course teaches you about traditional neapolitan pizza and the importance of good ingredients and patience for your dough.Cooking with Chianti Chef Cecilia and Massimo- If you fancy learning high-level Tuscan cuisine in a rustic Chianti setting, this cooking class is for you. This course is led by 2 chefs in their own restaurant. During your cooking class in Chianti, you will prepare a full Tuscan menu from mouthwatering appetizers all the way to a delicious dessert! A guided tasting of local extra virgin olive oil with Massimo is apart of the course. When you have finished your lesson, Massimo will take this occasion to lead you through a guided tasting of three outstanding local wines he has personally selected that compliment the plates you have created. As with all authentic traditional Tuscan and Chianti cooking, the menu will be based on seasonally available products.TUSCAN VILLASDuccio's Cooking Class- Your cooking class with Duccio begins when he arrives at your Tuscan villa with farm-fresh ingredients. Together you prepare a full-course meal. You will learn the tips and techniques that Master Chef Duccio has spent a lifetime cultivating through his own classroom time and endless hours in intense, high-end kitchens across Italy. You will also learn about elegant yet trendy plate presentation and how to show off the dishes you have prepared. After your time in the kitchen you will all dine on this delicious food together, accompanied by wonderful, quality Tuscan wines.In additon to these many options, we offer cooking classes in Montepulciano, San Gimignano and in a castle estate near Siena.For more information, please contact us or visit our website for more options and activities for your dream vacation to Italy.