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Host: Giada

Cortona, Italy

USD
$159-$185 per person

Tuscan Pasta Making Class in a Cortona Farmhouse

Host offerings
  • Rural farmhouse
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Giada

Giada was born and raised in Cortona, the picturesque Tuscan town made famous by the book and film 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. She lives in a charming old farmhouse nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany with her husband and daughters. From a young age, Giada learned the secrets of traditional Italian cooking from her grandmothers. Since 2020, she has been welcoming food lovers from around the world into her home, offering authentic cooking classes in a warm, family-style atmosphere. Giada delights in meeting new people, sharing her love for Italian cuisine, and helping guests discover the rich flavors and traditions of Tuscan cooking. When she's not in the kitchen, she enjoys exploring new places and cultures through travel.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-20 guests) Step into the heart of Tuscany and learn to cook authentic Italian dishes with Giada in her farmhouse home in the hills of Cortona. Inspired by recipes passed down through her grandmothers, Giada welcomes travelers into her kitchen to share the traditions, techniques, and flavors of Tuscan home cooking. Your 1.5-hour private, hands-on fresh pasta cooking class begins with a welcome aperitif and an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful countryside views surrounding Giada's home. Then, join her in the kitchen to prepare traditional Italian recipes from scratch. Learn to make fresh tagliatelle paired with a homemade tomato or pesto sauce, as well as classic tiramisu. If you would like to learn to make ragù sauce, please let Giada know in advance, as it is typically prepared ahead of time. As you cook together, Giada shares family stories, local culinary traditions, and tips for recreating authentic Italian dishes at home. This cooking class in Cortona offers more than just recipes - it is an opportunity to connect with local culture, enjoy genuine Italian hospitality, and experience everyday life in Tuscany through food. Perfect for couples, families, food lovers, and travelers seeking an authentic culinary experience in Tuscany.

Notes:
1. Giada can accommodate lactose-free and vegetarian dietary needs if informed in advance; however, she is unable to offer gluten-free options.
2. Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning. During the summer months, morning experiences are recommended, as the farmhouse is shaded by the garden until lunchtime and tends to be cooler. Afternoon experiences may be warmer, particularly after 1:30 PM.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

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.
  • Local Italian wine
  • Fresh tagliatelle in a tomato and basil sauce
  • Tiramisu

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
A lovely afternoon and lunch making pasta and two simple sauces. Enjoyed the thoughtful instruction and also provided great local shop provisioner tips to create some of our dishes for friends and eat fabulously, in an unfamiliar kitchen.
- garcia February 26, 2026
We did the pasta cooking class with our family (girls ages 19, 13, and 6) and everyone loved it. So much fun and we’d love to do it again if we ever go back. It was the highlight of our trip. And she was so helpful on the area in general.
- Tom October 14, 2025

Giada

$159-$185 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $159
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $159
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-12:30pm 3:30pm-5:30pm

Meet Giada

Giada was born and raised in Cortona, the picturesque Tuscan town made famous by the book and film 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. She lives in a charming old farmhouse nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany with her husband and daughters. From a young age, Giada learned the secrets of traditional Italian cooking from her grandmothers. Since 2020, she has been welcoming food lovers from around the world into her home, offering authentic cooking classes in a warm, family-style atmosphere. Giada delights in meeting new people, sharing her love for Italian cuisine, and helping guests discover the rich flavors and traditions of Tuscan cooking. When she's not in the kitchen, she enjoys exploring new places and cultures through travel.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-20 guests) Step into the heart of Tuscany and learn to cook authentic Italian dishes with Giada in her farmhouse home in the hills of Cortona. Inspired by recipes passed down through her grandmothers, Giada welcomes travelers into her kitchen to share the traditions, techniques, and flavors of Tuscan home cooking. Your 1.5-hour private, hands-on fresh pasta cooking class begins with a welcome aperitif and an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful countryside views surrounding Giada's home. Then, join her in the kitchen to prepare traditional Italian recipes from scratch. Learn to make fresh tagliatelle paired with a homemade tomato or pesto sauce, as well as classic tiramisu. If you would like to learn to make ragù sauce, please let Giada know in advance, as it is typically prepared ahead of time. As you cook together, Giada shares family stories, local culinary traditions, and tips for recreating authentic Italian dishes at home. This cooking class in Cortona offers more than just recipes - it is an opportunity to connect with local culture, enjoy genuine Italian hospitality, and experience everyday life in Tuscany through food. Perfect for couples, families, food lovers, and travelers seeking an authentic culinary experience in Tuscany.

Notes:
1. Giada can accommodate lactose-free and vegetarian dietary needs if informed in advance; however, she is unable to offer gluten-free options.
2. Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning. During the summer months, morning experiences are recommended, as the farmhouse is shaded by the garden until lunchtime and tends to be cooler. Afternoon experiences may be warmer, particularly after 1:30 PM.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

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.
  • Local Italian wine
  • Fresh tagliatelle in a tomato and basil sauce
  • Tiramisu

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
A lovely afternoon and lunch making pasta and two simple sauces. Enjoyed the thoughtful instruction and also provided great local shop provisioner tips to create some of our dishes for friends and eat fabulously, in an unfamiliar kitchen.
- garcia February 26, 2026
We did the pasta cooking class with our family (girls ages 19, 13, and 6) and everyone loved it. So much fun and we’d love to do it again if we ever go back. It was the highlight of our trip. And she was so helpful on the area in general.
- Tom October 14, 2025
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $159
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $159
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-12:30pm 3:30pm-5:30pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

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.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

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    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

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    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

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