Wanna Be Italiano – The original Cooking Class & Market Tour in Florence

If you’re visiting Florence and want a taste of authentic Tuscan cuisine, this Wanna Be Italiano experience promises a delightful half-day of culinary discovery. It’s a popular choice—booked on average 56 days in advance—and for good reason. With a perfect rating of 5.0 based on over 1,300 reviews, it’s clear that many travelers find this tour both engaging and rewarding.

What we really love about this experience is the combination of local market visits and hands-on cooking—it’s not just about watching a chef but actively participating. Plus, the unlimited Chianti wine keeps the mood relaxed and jovial as you savor your creations. A potential drawback? The tour doesn’t include hotel pickup, so you’ll need to plan your own transportation to the starting point.

This tour is especially suited for those who enjoy food, love a bit of culture, and want to learn practical skills they can recreate at home. Whether you’re a food lover, a family with teens, or a couple wanting a memorable experience, this class tends to hit the spot.

Key Points

• Authentic Market Experience: Guided visit to Florence’s Central Market, meeting local vendors and sampling artisanal goods.
• Hands-On Cooking: Learn to prepare classic Tuscan dishes like bruschetta, homemade pasta, and tiramisu.
• Enjoy Local Flavors: Unlimited Chianti wine paired with your homemade meal enhances the relaxed atmosphere.
• Educational & Practical: Digital recipe booklet and diploma help you recreate these dishes later.
• Suitable for Vegetarians: No meat or fish, with some dishes containing eggs; vegetarian options are available upon request.
• Small Group Feel: Tour caps at 20 travelers, ensuring personalized attention and a friendly vibe.

The Itinerary: From Market Stalls to Your Plate

When you sign up for this experience, what exactly do you get? Let’s walk through the day and explore what makes each part special.

Meeting Your Chef and Gathering at the Market

The adventure begins in central Florence, where you meet your friendly chef-instructor and fellow foodies. The meeting point is at the Towns of Italy – Cooking School, conveniently located near public transportation. From there, you head to Florence’s busy Central Market, a hive of local activity with vendors selling everything from fresh vegetables to artisanal cured meats.

The market tour is a highlight, especially if you’re interested in seeing and tasting what makes Tuscan cuisine unique. Several reviews praise the guide’s knowledge and the engaging way they introduce local meats, cheeses, and other goods. One reviewer mentions: “Touring the market to start was a nice activity,” and others appreciated learning about local ingredients they’d later use in their cooking.

Market Visit: Sampling and Selecting Ingredients

As you walk through the vibrant stalls, you’ll pick out ingredients alongside your chef. This isn’t just shopping; it’s about understanding regional flavors and shopping techniques. Many reviews note how fun and educational this part is—some even say they learned about artisanal goods they’d never encountered before.

If the market is closed (on Sundays and bank holidays), the tour adapts with special tastings at the cooking school itself, ensuring you still get a taste of Florence’s culinary soul.

Transition to the Cooking School

After gathering ingredients, you stroll to the nearby cooking school, usually within walking distance. Here, you’re handed an apron and your journey from ingredient to finished dish begins. The kitchen setup is designed to be welcoming, even for those with little culinary experience.

The Cooking Class

Under the guidance of your chef, you’ll prepare several dishes, starting with the ever-popular bruschetta, a simple yet delicious starter. Moving on, you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta from scratch, including ravioli—an activity many reviews say they found particularly rewarding. The chef offers helpful tips along the way, making it accessible for beginners.

Since the class covers desserts, tiramisu is also on the menu—another reason many rave about this experience. The instructor’s ability to pass on skills and techniques is frequently praised. One reviewer shares, “Victoria did a great job presenting this,” highlighting the quality of instruction.

Sampling and Dining

Once your dishes are ready, you sit down to enjoy your hard work. The meal is served in a cozy dining room, where you toast with unlimited glasses of Chianti—many reviews mention how enjoyable and relaxed the atmosphere becomes once everyone starts eating and drinking.

This part of the experience is often described as the favorite. One guest states, “All the food we made was delicious,” and another loved how the wine added to the convivial mood. The fact that you eat what you cook is a big plus, adding a sense of accomplishment.

Takeaways and Souvenirs

At the end, you receive a digital recipe booklet—so you can re-create your favorite dishes at home—and a diploma to commemorate your achievement. These thoughtful touches make this more than just a fun activity; it’s something you can replicate on your own in the future.

What’s the Value?

While the price tag is around $98 per person, many consider this a solid deal for a comprehensive experience. You’re getting a guided market tour, professional instruction, a full meal with unlimited wine, a recipe booklet, and a diploma—all in about five hours. Reviewers repeatedly emphasize how much they learned and how delicious everything was, making it feel like good value.

Practical Considerations

Keep in mind, this tour doesn’t include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your transportation accordingly. The class is suitable for vegetarians, with some dishes containing eggs, but not for those with celiac allergies. The group size is capped at 20, which helps keep things personal and manageable.

Why Travelers Keep Coming Back

Many reviews point out how engaging and personable the guides are. “Alice was a wonderful teacher,” one reviewer states, noting that the class was both fun and educational. Repeat customers also mention that they learned new techniques and enjoyed the chance to meet other food lovers.

Who Should Sign Up?

This tour is ideal if you’re eager to learn authentic Italian cooking, enjoy good company, and want to walk away with skills you can use back home. It’s also perfect for families with teens or groups who want a relaxed, interactive experience. Keep in mind, it’s not designed for those needing special dietary accommodations like gluten-free options.

FAQs

Is hotel pickup included? No. You’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the meeting point.

How long does the tour last? Around 5 hours, from market visit to the meal and enjoying your dishes.

Is this suitable for vegetarians? Yes, it’s suitable for vegetarians, with some dishes containing eggs. Please notify in advance if needed.

Can children participate? Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The reviews show families and teens enjoy the experience, making it quite family-friendly.

What dishes will I learn to make? Bruschetta, homemade pasta (like ravioli), and tiramisu are on the menu, with guidance from professional chefs.

Will I get to taste the ingredients at the market? Yes, tastings at the market are included as part of the experience.

What is included in the price? Guided market visit (depending on option), food tastings, unlimited Chianti wine during lunch, digital recipe booklet, and a diploma.

Are the cooking classes suitable for beginners? Absolutely. The instructions are straightforward, and the reviews highlight how accessible and enjoyable the lessons are.

Is it weather-dependent? The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.

Can I cancel if my plans change? Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour, giving you flexibility.

Final thoughts

This Wanna Be Italiano tour offers a well-rounded, engaging way to experience Florence’s culinary culture. The combination of market exploration and hands-on cooking makes it a memorable activity that suits a variety of travelers. It’s especially rewarding if you want practical skills, incredible food, and a bit of vino in good company.

Many reviewers mention how fun and educational the experience is, with high praise for the guides and the delicious dishes. The price reflects a comprehensive experience—covering market visits, expert instruction, and a satisfying meal—making it a good deal overall.

If you’re someone who loves good food, appreciates local culture, and wants a break from sightseeing to get your hands dirty in the kitchen, this tour will likely be a highlight of your trip to Florence. Just remember to plan your transport and come prepared for a lively, tasty, and fun five hours that you’ll remember long after you leave Italy.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a complete beginner, this experience offers a friendly, authentic taste of Florence’s culinary soul—worth considering for your trip.