Host offerings
Virginia and Matteo are a young, dynamic couple who started a home dining experience in their cozy loft near Pisa. Virginia, a passionate 22-year-old chef, grew up in the kitchen of her father’s restaurant, where she learned the foundations of Italian cuisine. Her love for food and creativity led her to open her own home restaurant just a few months ago, offering travelers a chance to savor her innovative take on Tuscan dishes. Virginia believes that cooking is an act of love, and she strives to make every guest feel the warmth and joy of her creations. Matteo, her husband and talented barman, adds another layer to their culinary journey. Together, they are excited to welcome guests from all over the world into their home, sharing not just delicious food, but an enriching cultural experience. For them, food is more than just a meal—it's a way of connecting, learning, and growing through shared moments with people from diverse backgrounds.
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 - 5 guests) Enjoy traditional Tuscan flavors with a contemporary twist in Pisa. At Virginia and Matteo’s loft in Cascina, just 20 minutes from Pisa, guests are invited to indulge in a truly immersive Italian culinary experience. Virginia’s fusion of Tuscan tradition with her own creative, contemporary flair brings new life to classic flavors, all made with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to tell a story of Tuscany’s rich culinary heritage, presented with a modern aesthetic. Outside the kitchen, Virginia enjoys playing the piano, finding parallels between the art of cooking and music.
Your Tuscan symphony begins with a 'prelude' of Tuscan tomato soup with caramelized onion and basil oil or delicate potato mille-feuille with sausage, stracchino, and mushrooms or livers with vin. This is followed by act one, 'beyond tradition', where guests will savor gnudi made from sheep’s ricotta and spinach, set atop a creamy pecorino sauce, with sage and toasted almonds for added depth. The main course, act two, features peposo, marinated beef muscle slow-cooked in Chianti, served with a velvety cannellini cream, rosemary, and black charcoal bread. The meal concludes with 'the heart of apple', a mini Tuscan apple pie complemented by a red wine reduction, egg flip, and a dash of cinnamon, delivering a sweet finish to a perfect meal. This experience is an exploration of Italian flavors that will stay with you long after the meal ends.
Cooking experience (1 - 5 guests) Contemporary Tuscan home cooking experience in Pisa. Join Virginia at her home kitchen in Cascina, just a short distance from Pisa, for a hands-on cooking class. In your 2-hour immersive cooking class in Pisa learn to cook two traditional Italian dishes from scratch. You’ll master the art of making fresh pasta and a delicious dessert, all while being guided step by step by Virginia herself. You’ll start by preparing gnudi, delicate dumplings of sheep's ricotta and spinach. For dessert, you’ll learn to make a mini Tuscan apple pie. By the end of the class, you'll have new skills, delicious dishes to enjoy, and a deeper appreciation for the flavors of Tuscany.
This food experience in Pisa is perfect for food lovers, travelers or anyone seeking authentic Italian flavors and eager to explore Tuscany's culinary traditions.
Notes: Virginia and Matteo can accommodate a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian or vegan diet, if informed in advance. If you choose optional alcohol at an additional cost, you will be served 2 drinks per person or a bottle of wine.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffacd11a5b0>
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 | |
---|---|---|---|
In-Home Meal | $70 | $65 | $65 |
Cooking Experience + Meal | $130 | $120 | $120 |
Alcohol | $20 per person | ||
Transportation | Not offered | ||
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. |
Lunch | Dinner | |
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In-Home Meal | 12:00pm - 02:00pm | 6:00pm - 08:00pm |
Cooking Experience + Meal | 11:00am - 02:00pm | 5:00pm - 08:00pm |
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.