Even if I had a professional training, think of me not as a chef, but rather as a “good Italian housewife” who knows how to cook and wants to preserve the Italian food tradition. My aim when I started giving classes in my apartment was to offer my clients the authentic experience of warm Italian hospitality by entering an Italian home and cooking in a regular kitchen: the best way to reproduce my recipes when you return home.
Your day with “Camilla” offers much more as we begin with a visit to San Lorenzo Market, which is a must for Florence visitors. We stop at the different vendors and taste their cheese, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. I introduce my guests to the cultural, historical and religious traditions which are so tightly intertwined with Italian food. We also buy local specialties to taste during the “merenda”, the short break we take while cooking.
We then drive to my apartment and start cooking a complete Italian menu, from hand-made pasta, gnocchi, or risotto to a meat course with side dish and dessert. You can rest at some point and enjoy a slice of focaccia, some salami and a glass of wine while I complete the meal preparation. Your final touch is to cook the pasta al dente.
Now you are ready to sit down in my dining room and enjoy the meal you prepared, I hope you feel at home and have a good time!
Silvia Maccari, Owner, Chef Instructor, Food Expert for Marriott’s Chefs
