Authentic Culinary Experience in a Tuscan Family Estate
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
This boutique cooking studio is set on the family estate surrounded by 20 acres of land, cultivated with vines and 600 olive trees; we produce Trebbiano and San Giovese wine, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This property is drenched in history; it was purchased in the 1960s by the Chef's father, the abstract painter Francesco Clemente. The cottage, that used to be his painting studio, was turned into a cooking studio about 10 years ago, and still today, art and food blend together to create a magic atmosphere. After all, food is art, and your host will be happy to help you create your culinary masterpiece with extreme love and passion.
La Quercia Estate has been nominated by Forbes as the top 5 cooking schools and foodie vacations in Italy!
Additional Info
Minimum of 2 people required per booking
Maximum number of guests is 10 people
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Immerse yourself in the Tuscan countryside, and get hands-on during this authentic cooking course designed to introduce you to the aromas, flavours and traditions of the Italian famous cuisine. You will prepare an special five-course meal at our boutique cooking studio using cherished family recipes and garden-fresh ingredients that honour the seasons. The menu is usually Mediterranean/Tuscan and it can be tailored to the guests taste. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a delicious steaming cup of vanilla tea or traditional Italian espresso coffee with homemade cake, and receive a brief overview of the lesson of the day. Around noon, you’ll take a break by sipping a glass of wine of the estate: white Trebbiano and red San Giovese, and enjoying the antipasto that you’ve prepared during the first part of the class. After your break, you’ll get back to work in the cucina as you put the finishing touches on your delicious meal before enjoying lunch at around 1.30 pm. Your cooking instructor is a Tuscan native whose passion for cooking started at a very young age in the home of her nonna, who shared her Tuscan family recipes with her, which she’s perfected and now thrilled to share with you
Sample Menu
starter
Focaccia con la Salvia
Focaccia Bread with Sage Leaves, Picked Fresh From the Kitchen Garden
main
Gnocchi di Patate con Sugo di Pomodoro Fresco
Home Made Potato Gnocchi with Fresh Tomato Sauce
main
Polpettine al Limone
Lemon Scented Meat Balls
main
Pisellini alla Toscana
Tuscan Peas Cooked in the Typical Terracotta Casserole
dessert
Dolce al Cioccolato
Melt in Mouth Chocolate Cake Dusted with Confectioners’ Sugar
What‘s Included
Lunch with the estate wines
All taxes, fees and handling charges
All necessary equipment
Recipes
Authentic small group cooking class where you will learn to prepare a full course menu
Morning tea, coffee, home made cake or pastries
Private transportation
Options
Authentic Culinary Experience in a Tuscan Family Estate
Reviews
45 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Buonissimo
954trinaj,,Jun 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The most amazing cooking experience! Mother and daughter team of Veronica and Margherita expertly and effortlessly prepared a bountiful meal from the fruits of the harvest from the gardens on their 20 acre estate. The well appointed and comfortable cooking studio (sofa if you must sit during extravaganza) is next to the stunning villa. All your senses will awaken as you witness and assist in the preparation of a meal that is simply elegant. The colors of the vegetables are vibrant, the smells aromatic, and the tastes delectable. You are then seated on their gorgeous veranda to enjoy the courses of meals served with wine and olive oil made on property. Let the time while away as you immerse yourself in this unique opportunity
Exquisite experience
Camper45139393928,,May 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An exquisite experience with Veronica and Margarita who with love and passion shared their family recipes and detailed techniques to make these delicious meals. Such warmth and caring to detail made this an exceptional cooking experience. It was fun, inspirational and pure magic. This is a must for the culinary enthusiast.
Cooking in the countryside
935nikig,,May 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our time at La Quercia Estate was nothing short of magical. Nestled in the serene countryside, this cooking class offered not only a hands-on culinary experience, but also a deeply personal and soulful connection to the land, the ingredients, and the people who nurture them. Maghertia, our gracious host and guide, welcomed us with warmth and generosity, making us feel like old friends returning home. Alongside her was her lovely mother, Veronica, whose calm presence and deep knowledge of traditional Italian cooking enriched the day beyond measure. Together, they created an atmosphere that was both joyful and contemplative, where laughter mingled with the aromas of onion, herbs, and fresh dough rising in the kitchen. We prepared handmade pasta, focaccia with sage and olive oil from their grove, and a rustic omelette that tasted like the very essence of the season. As we cooked, we talked about life, about family, about change, and living life with less stress. Veronica spoke about the ingredients and the importance of choosing what is local and fresh. Her words and advice carried a kind of reverence that stayed with us long after the meal was done. Maghertia shared stories of her upbringing and her passion for simple, nourishing food. The day was not just about cooking but about being present, about connecting over shared work and shared meals. We left La Quercia with full hearts, full bellies, and a renewed appreciation for the quiet magic of homegrown hospitality. I can’t recommend it enough.
Incredible cooking experience with our family and theirs
Georgialee,,Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Margherita and her mother are simply magic. The experience they created for me, my husband and our three college age girls studying in Florence for the semester was nothing short of amazing. The food was fresh, and most from their garden or farm. The setting was out of a fairy tail and the warm company was the icing on the cake. I’m writing this review a few months late (October visit) as we got incredibly busy at the end of our trip but it was important enough to me to make time to go back and write the review as it left an indelibly memory with my family. If you can find time to fit this experience in, please do so. It will be the highlight of your trip. Margherita - Hans and I hope to come see you and your lovely family again soon. This time, spending a few days with you all at the Inn. 🥰🥰🥰. Fondly, Hans and Georgia Z
Wonderful cooking and eating experience.
H8570XSbenh,,Nov 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The estate and cooking studio are beautiful. The effort to make us comfortable and teach authentic Italian cooking exceeded our expectations. Veronica and her daughter Margherita are wonderful hosts and teachers. Drinking estate Trebbiano and Sangiovese wine made from grapes grown on the grounds just added to the ambience. We made bruschetta, frittata, pumpkin velvet soup, green peppers with capers and olives, chocolate cake to die for and learning how to make real egg pasta was a culinary education. Her wonderful freshly cold pressed olive oil will make people on our Christmas gift list very happy. The olive trees on her farm supply the extra virgin olive oil. If you want a true eating and learning experience far from the crowds at museums or busy cities, please avail yourself this awesome experience.
Tuscany Experience
Anonymous,,Oct 3, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We instantly felt like family and I never wanted to leave. The experience was passionate and from the heart….family traditions and I instantly felt what it would be like to call this home. On top of that the food was amazing!!!!
A Must-Do Excursion!
Rfagan8,,Sep 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spent a magical day in the Cooking Studio with a remarkable mother-daughter team. We learned new cooking techniques, recipes, and history about one of the loveliest villas in Tuscany. To top that off, we ate delightful food from their grounds and enjoyed beautiful wines from their vineyard. By the end of the day we felt like family! A day we will never forget!! ❤️🇮🇹❤️
Favorite part of our trip!
Francesca S,,Jul 1, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the absolute best time at La Quercia. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and they truly make you feel at home. We learned so many amazing tips and tricks and the day never felt rushed. There was so much passion for teaching and sharing knowledge about food. We will be recommending to everyone!
Highly recommend!
Meredith L,,Jun 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00This was our favorite activity in Florence! The property is absolutely beautiful and the cooking class was an authentic and delicious experience! Margherita was an amazing host and Veronica is a phenomenal chef and teacher with years of family recipes and experience. We already decided that we need to bring more friends back and do it again!
Unforgettable Experience
Lucas E,,May 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00I would give 10 stars if I could!! This was an incredible, unforgettable experience! Our son and daughter-in-law gave us this experience as a gift and I feel like it had a lasting affect on me. Margherita was super helpful in arranging everything, including the cab rides, and introducing us to their estate. Her mother, Veronica, was an incredible teacher. You could feel Veronica’s passion and philosophy of cooking, hosting, and food throughout. Simple homegrown ingredients from their estate gardens and the preparation techniques came together in the most amazing burst of flavors and textures. Veronica taught us to slow down, savor the moments, and cook with love. It was as much a lesson on life as it was cooking. If you have a chance to participate, do not miss it!!
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