Cucina Giuseppina - Italian Cooking Family - 34

We thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class with Giuseppina and Antonella. The flow of the class was very natural. Our menu included: Fried Artichoke, Pici with fresh tomato sauce, Pork tenderloin, and Tiramisu. We started with Tiramisu to let it set for our dessert. Then chopped the ingredients for the dry marinade for the pork loin. We rolled the pork loin in the marinade and put it in the refrigerator to set. Then we made the pasta (pici) to let it set for a time before we rolled it out and cooked it. Then we chopped a fresh artichoke to make fried artichoke antipasti, which was amazing. That was a real treat. Once we finished our Antipasti, it was time to cut and roll the pasta. And, after that we started the fresh tomato sauce. We chopped the garlic and sliced the tomatoes and added fresh basil leaves. Giuseppina was very good at explaining every detail. She explained how it is important to start the olive oil and garlic together and not cook it on high, but on medium so that the oil won’t burn. Then we added the tomatoes, basil and some salt to the garlic and oil. We also cooked the pici and added it to the sauce once it was ready. We took another break so that we could have our pasta and some wine. After we ate the pasta, Giuseppina pulled out the pork loin. She cut the pork into medallions for cooking. We went back to the stove and using a little oil and wine we cooked the pork until it was perfect. It was really so delicious and tender. “Incredible”!! Each of the dishes we prepared required simple ingredients, but they were so fresh and delicious, it was really eye opening that you can make such a beautiful meal with fresh ingredients so quickly. We loved meeting and spending time with Giuseppina and her assistant, Antonella. It was a highlight of our trip to Tuscany!!

My partner and I were fortunate enough to take part in Cucina Giuseppina’s truffle hunt and cooking class in medieval Certaldo. The beauty of the town was only matched by the kindness and effervescence of this wonderful family, whose warmth made our experience one we won’t forget. Luca and his father, Luigi, helped us understand the nuances of truffle hunting in the beautiful Italian countryside, aided by their extraordinary truffle dog, Riccio. Within an hour we had discovered six or seven of the marzolo truffles that fruit only in the springtime, taking them with us to Giuseppina and Antonella’s cooking school within the old town’s hilltop fortifications. There we cooked the best bruschetta we’ve ever tasted, traditional egg and regional pici pasta with which to sample our marzolo truffles, delicious red wine and rosemary Cinta Senese pork fillet, and a wonderfully simple tiramisu for dessert. We left Certaldo with a great appreciation for Italian produce and cuisine, and an understanding that, as newly-adopted family members, we will return to see Luca, Luigi, Giuseppina, Antonella and Riccio again in the future. We want to thank Cucina Giuseppina for their hospitality and strongly encourage everyone reading this review to reserve an experience with them.

My husband and I had the best time spending the day learning classic Tuscan cooking skills and cuisine. Our hosts were fantastic! We made a traditional four course Tuscan meal (anti pasti, pasta Fresca, a main dish and a tiramisu that was so delicious!). We highly recommend booking a class to learn something new, enjoy time with a lovely local family and enjoy great food and beautiful views.

It was just perfect. Giuseppina is a wonderful host and a more wonderful cook. We learned how to prepare amazing Tuscany food, along with eating and drinking. The view is breathtaking, and I highly recommended this class for anyone looking for an authentic Tuscany experience.

We’d give Cucina Giuseppina 10 ⭐️ if we could!!! Giuseppina and her beautiful daughter-in-law Antonella, made us feel welcome like family!! You feel that you’re in her kitchen in her home! The meal you create with Giuseppina’s guidance is the best you’ll eat in all of Tuscany!! We loved the laughter, the unique setting, the friendship we forged.

Truffle hunting in Certaldo with Luigi, his son Luca and a male dog, called Ricciolo (because of his curly hair). A wonderful experience that we will take with us while returning home. The lunch afterwards, in an amazing and quiet, typical Tuscan surrounding, contained dishes that were truffle based. There we met the other son/brother Simone who prepared several tasteful, but most of all, fresh dishes for us. Unfortunately for us, the cooking school, run by 'la mama' was fully booked. Nevertheless we learned everything there is to learn about this golden product, truffle, Italians pride amongst many other regional products. Thanks to this sympathetic Cooking family!!

I cannot say enough good things about my experience here! It was so easy to find information line about the courses offered and even easier to book. Once we arrived at the class, it was even better. The kitchen is located in the perfect part of town and has gorgeous views. Giuseppina was the most welcoming and friendly. Her instructions were clear and helpful, and so fun! And most importantly, delicious. The experience was amazing and the food was even better. This was probably one of the best cooking classes I’ve ever taken.

Absolutely an amazing experience with family and friends. Giuseppina and her son, Luca accommodated us on a last minute trip. We had an amazing time drinking, cooking, eating and getting to know them. Our children still talk about their experience there.