Host offerings
Ilaria learned to cook as a child from her grandma, who owned a trattoria in Florence. So, she grew up eating authentic Tuscan meals cooked by her grandmother. Ilaria’s grandmother not only taught her how to cook and but also how to choose the best quality ingredients. And now she is happy to share her knowledge, passion for cooking and secret recipes she learned from her grandma, with travelers who would like to learn. Through this experience, Ilaria wants travelers to know how locals eat and live, and want them to taste and cook an authentic, homemade Italian meal, using her grandmothers recipes!
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 (1 - 12 guests)
Cooking experience (1 - 12 guests) Ilaria hosts this experience in her home, in the north of Tuscany, in a hamlet dated back to the 15th century. Her home has outstanding views of Apuan Alps, where you will feel like you’ve travelled back to another era, as donkeys and cows pass by in front of the courtyard! Start your Tuscan cooking experience with cheese tasting in a nearby local farm. If you're lucky you may even get to see the cheese making process. Later pick herbs and organic vegetables from Ilaria’s garden for your cooking class. And then join her in the courtyard to cook traditional Tuscan dishes. The dishes you cook will vary depending on the season, however you will be using recipes Ilaria inherited from her grandmother. All the dishes you prepare will be simple so that you can easily recreate it back home for friends and family. You might learn to cook an appetizer, a main dish and dessert. After cooking, enjoy the meal you helped prepare, together as a family with local wine.
A few dishes that you might try are bruschetta with fresh tomatoes collected from Ilaria's organic garden and marinated eggplants with herbs, or tomato and basil soup and soft potato dumplings with tomato sauce, or a local pasta made with chestnut flour and slowly cooked sausage sauce, or a very special gnocchi made with ricotta and spinach. You will end your meal with a dessert, such as tiramisu or cheesecake with raspberry sauce from Ilaria's garden. Please note that the menu will change as per season.
Notes: Please note that 1-2 glasses of wine is included in the price of the experience. Ilaria can do a vegetarian menu as well, so please let her know while booking the experience online. Also, if you select optional paid transportation, Ilaria will pick you up and drop you off at Aulla Lunigiana station, and not from your hotel.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007f7f003719b0>
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.
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | Not offered | $120 | $95 |
| Alcohol | $2 per person | ||
| Transportation | Not offered | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 10:00am - 02:00pm |
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.
