Are pizza making classes in Tuscany actually worth it?

[AdamLtissom]

Hi everyone,

I’m meeting up with some cousins and old friends in Tuscany soon, they're flying in from the US and Spain, and we're looking for a fun group experience. We keep seeing options for pizza cooking tours at local estates, but we're wondering if they're actually worth the time and money?

Has anyone here done one with a group? We'd love to know if you actually learn good techniques or if it feels more like a generic tourist trap. Any honest feedback would be amazing.

Thanks!

 

[NoSpin]

I haven’t taken pizza making courses, but I have had various cooking demonstrations in Italy with friends and family. Do you really care if you learn how to make pizza, or pasta, or sauce, or focaccia, or ricotta cheese, or whatever (I've done many). The fun is in the experience with people you love.

I have no idea who you are signing up with, but I’d bet you and your friends and family will have fun. Beyond that, who cares what you learn!

Oh, BTW, I recently took a course on how to make ricotta cheese. Do you think I've made it? No chance, but I took the course with my wife and it was a blast!

 

[Mom83]

I totally agree with NoSpin…the fun is in sharing the experience. I have taken cooking classes in Italy 3 times…once in Tuscany with my adult daughter, once in Rome with my adult daughter, and once in Rome with our extended family of 10 people. The number of times that I have made any of the food (we were given the recipes)…zero!
But we always had a great time!

 

[California Go Girl]

I have taken cooking classes a number of times in Italy and Spain, sometimes with a group and sometimes with one other friend. I think they are super fun. And I HAVE made several of the dishes several times - orecchiette and pastaciotti especially - and some I have never attempted. If you want to be sure that you get techniques you can use at home, you can contact them in advance to ask if they suggest adaptations for a home oven. I think that's one of the main challenges for replicating pizza. The classes tend to be expensive, but since you eat what you cook it includes the group meal and usually some wine as well so that makes it more affordable. Have fun!

 

[NoSpin]

I totally agree with NoSpin… The number of times that I have made any of the food (we were given the recipes)…zero!
But we always had a great time!

Mom83, I'm with you.

I have taken cooking classes a number of times in Italy and Spain,. And I HAVE made several of the dishes several times - orecchiette and pastaciotti especially Have fun!

California Go Girl, you are our hero. I love orrechiette, it is the pasta of my homeland of Puglia. When are you having us over for dinner?!

 

[MilanoInterForza]

I've done one with a group and honestly it was a lot more fun than expected. You probably won't become a pizza master in a few hours, but you do pick up some useful techniques and get to enjoy the experience together.

The quality varies a lot, though. I'd focus on finding a smaller, local experience rather than the biggest or cheapest option. With cousins and friends, the social aspect is usually what makes it worthwhile.

 

[MilanoInterForza]

totally agree!

I haven’t taken pizza making courses, but I have had various cooking demonstrations in Italy with friends and family. Do you really care if you learn how to make pizza, or pasta, or sauce, or focaccia, or ricotta cheese, or whatever (I've done many). The fun is in the experience with people you love.

I have no idea who you are signing up with, but I’d bet you and your friends and family will have fun. Beyond that, who cares what you learn!

Oh, BTW, I recently took a course on how to make ricotta cheese. Do you think I've made it? No chance, but I took the course with my wife and it was a blast!