Inside Cucina Giuseppina: A Tuscan Cooking Experience Worth Traveling For

Some travel experiences stay with you long after you return home, and Cucina Giuseppina is one of them. During my recent trip to Italy, I had the pleasure of visiting this family-owned cooking school tucked into the hills of Certaldo, and it was, without question, the most memorable culinary experience of our journey.

The day began with a walk to a local market, gathering the freshest seasonal ingredients and immediately setting the tone for what would become a deeply personal and thoughtfully curated experience. From there, we made our way into the Tuscan countryside, where Certaldo revealed itself like a storybook village, complete with ancient stone streets, castle-like structures, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills.

At the heart of Cucina Giuseppina is family, and that spirit is felt in every detail. Our experience was led by Simone, who served as both our guide and chef instructor. Warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaging, he made the class feel effortless and fun. His brother Luca joined us as well, adding to the dynamic and reinforcing the sense that this was not just a business, but a family sharing their home and traditions. At one point, their mother, the true matriarch of the kitchen, quite literally saved the day by arriving with fresh fish for our meal, a moment that felt so authentically Italian and completely unforgettable.

The class itself was hands-on, informative, and full of laughter. Everyone participated, from prepping ingredients to cooking alongside one another, all while sipping rosé and enjoying the relaxed rhythm of the afternoon. One of the highlights was when fresh truffles, hunted earlier that morning, were shaved generously over our dishes. The food was simple, seasonal, and extraordinary, the kind of meal that speaks for itself.

When we finally sat down to eat, it was hands down the best meal of our entire trip. Not just because of the flavors, but because of the experience surrounding it. Cooking together, learning from a family that truly loves what they do, and sharing a meal in such a beautiful setting made it unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a personalized, intimate, and picturesque experience in Italy, Cucina Giuseppina is a must. It’s more than a cooking class; it’s a celebration of food, family, and the joy of slowing down and savoring the moment. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

For more information or to book your experience, visit CucinaGiuseppina.com.