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During a family vacation in Tuscany, Italy, we took a kid-friendly cooking class at our beloved agriturismo recommendation, Al Gelso Bianco. Amazingly, the class included kids from ages 2 to 13, as well as a set of adults seeking new skills. Everyone had fun! The secret to a wonderful family cooking class in Tuscany, Italy? Hands-on engagement, good conversation and a talented teacher. We had all three!
Any good family cooking class starts with the freshest possible ingredients. In our case that was easy as we were able to head straight to Al Gelso Bianco’s garden to pick our own vegetables.
Many kids’ cooking classes in Italy focus on pizza. I think it’s more interesting to make pasta from scratch. It takes real skill to keep the eggs in the flour doughnut and I’m always surprised by how basic the ingredients are for something that tastes so amazing. Kids love watching the initial steps and working hard to knead the dough.
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Every person in the class had the opportunity to use the pasta-cutting machine. It’s hard work but extremely fun and rewarding. Yes, you can make pasta in your home country too, but the experience of learning family traditions from a real Italian in Tuscany, Italy is what makes these family cooking classes so special.
If you have boys, don’t let that stop you from taking a class with them … ours were engaged and happy. It’s messy, which pleases them greatly.
After all the heavy lifting, the instructor prepared our creations for the final step: cooking.
The best part, of course, is eating all that you prepared. Fantastico!
Although there are a few kids’ cooking classes offered in Tuscany, this one is only available at Al Gelso Bianco. The good news, however, is that Al Gelso Bianco is in a great location for sightseeing in Tuscany, as you can easily hit Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and even Lucca and the Tuscan coast from here in a day trip. It’s also one of our favorite farm stays in Tuscany.
Editor’s Note: Al Gelso Bianco provided a family complimentary cooking class so we could review this experience. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy.
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Ciao Bambino review of Al Gelso Bianco
Written By
By Amie O’Shaughnessy
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Could you please let me have details of the family pasta making course in Al Gelso Bianco? Sounds fab.
Many thanks
Hello,
I loved reading your blog the last time we came to Italy, a few years ago.
Now our family and another family are travelling to Italy again in July 2019. After some time in France, we’ll be in Alba for 2 nights, Lucca for 2 nights, and Montalcino for 7 nights. We’ll be travelling with 2 13-year old girls and a 16-year boy in tow. Do you have any cool tips (outside of daily gelato) to keep them engaged?
We’re already planning a day trip to Siena, and a day trip to Trasimeno Regional Park & Lake (both within an hour of Montalcino), but we haven’t come across much else yet. We will have a car.
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated!
Brad
Hi Brad, so wonderful to hear that our site was helpful on your last trip to Italy, and how exciting that you are going back! We’d be glad to help with your travels as part of our full vacation planning service. A CB! Advisor specializing in Italy will be in touch via email. Thanks!
Hi
We are a family of 2 adults and 3 kids (ages 15,12 & 10) and will be staying near Scansano for 11 days as from July 14th. Can you recommend any family cooling courses in the area pls?
Many thanks
Leanne
Hi Leanne – We’d be happy to recommend and book the right cooking course for you as part of our travel planning service. Would you like an advisor to follow up in email?
Hello
I would like to take part in pizza and pasta or gelatine class with my 10yr old. We are staying in Lucca, Florence city centre then in Scandicci. Can anyone advise me please.
Kind regards
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn – Thanks for using Ciao Bambino! We can book this class and others as part of our full itinerary planning service. Are you currently traveling or is this for an upcoming trip? Please let us know so that we can advise next steps.
Hi, We are visiting Florence on April 3 – 5th and we’ve love to get the kids into the cooking class. Can you please send me more details on the classes (we’ve got 5 kids with us)? Thanks.
Hi Naureen, thanks for using Ciao Bambino. Our Family Travel Advisors can arrange cooking classes and more as part of our full vacation planning service. Would you like someone to reach out in email?
Hi. We are flying to Milan on 4/8 and going to spend a week in Italy. Our kids (9,10,16) are interested in cooking. Are there any farms/ bed and breakfast that offer cooking classes for kids?
Hi Natalia – Absolutely – depending on where in Italy you plan to spend time, we know of a number of wonderful properties that offer terrific kid-friendly cooking classes! One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Italy will reach out in email to talk about how we can help.
Ciao! We are here in Florence. For two days I know very last minute but wondering your cooking class suggestions in Florence also for kids or any suggestions of half day wine or vineyard tours with lunch near Florence?? Sorry understand if too short notice. Thank you!!
Sorry Libby, We are just seeing this and I’m afraid we missed the window to help. -Amie
Hello,
I will be in Florence with my 2 year old twins without car, do you have recommendations for us? Thank you!
Hi Dana – I’ll have one of our Advisors to reach out explain our planning service and how we can help. -Amie
Hello,
We will be in Florence in July for 3 days with 2 9 year olds. We would love to do a cooking class with them. In Florence may be easier as we don’t have a car. Can you please recommend anywhere?
Thanks
Shae
Hi Shae, One of our Family Travel Advisors will come back to you in email to help! -Amie
Hi There
We are staying 20km from Florence in September 2016 and would love to do this cooking class with our 5 year old. Please could you send me the details for it. Not sure if its too early to book?
Regards Catherine
Hi Katherine, One of our Family Vacation Advisors will reach out to help book this for you. Thanks! -Amie
Hi,
I will be in Siena with the family ( 2 kids under the age of 5). Could you please send us a recommendation for a cooking class in Siena ( without access to a car), now in October (24-25).
Thanks!
Hi Tove, I just sent you an email with information to help. Thanks! -Amie
We are in empoli till 10 Sept..I have Kodak 11.9 and 5 wanting to do a cooking course
Hi Bronwyn, I’ll make sure Al Gelso Bianco sees your request. Thanks! -Amie
Do you know of a cooking class in Florence that is kid friendly? This sounds amazing but a little far for us since we won’t have a car.
Thank you.
Hi Liz, Our planning service has a few that we recommend. Can you please email info@ciaobambino.com and we’ll reply with details? Thanks! Amie
Great find … do you need to be a guest of this hotel to enroll in the kids cooking classes?
Hi Vik,
You can take the class without being a guest. I’ll have the property email you. Thanks!
Need to find cooking class for our10 year old granddaughter and two adults.
We are staying in Siena October 25 until 30th. Are you closer to Florence or
Siena? Please respond to monica@brucegraneyantiques.com
Hi Monica, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! A Family Travel Advisor specializing in Italy will reach out in email to see how we can help you book a family cooking class.
Would you send me information about this cooking classes.