Florence Cooking Lessons and a Recipe

Florence cooking lessons are an authentic way to connect with the local culture of this great city.

Florence Cooking Lessons was contributed by reader Art Moldavia from San Diego. If Florence is on your bucket list, you’ll also want to read his earlier trip report: “Authentic Florence – Places to Eat.”

In 1979, Sharon Oddson and her artist husband, Giuliano “Il Garga” Gargani, opened the fine Italian restaurant Trattoria Garga on Via del Moro in Florence. After transforming the tiny cafe into a grand success, Sharon began offering cooking lessons in her 17^th-century home, La Cucina del Garga (Garga’s kitchen) and also in Tuscan farmhouses. These authentic Renaissance surroundings offer the ideal atmosphere for preparing lavish Tuscan fare.

In 2010, Sharon and Giuliano’s son Alessandro Gargani returned from New York where he spent seven years honing his chef skills. He now operates a restaurant at La Cucina del Garga. The flagship Trattoria Garga on Via del Moro has closed.

Florence cooking lessons: Sharon with her son Chef Alessandro Gargani.

Florence cooking lessons

Recently, I was invited by Sharon (who is Canadian by birth) to attend a private cooking lesson at La Cucina del Garga in the heart of Florence. Sharon teaches her students how to turn traditional Tuscan dishes into contemporary culinary masterpieces, always using quality seasonal ingredients, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs.

Tagliatelle del “Magnifico” alla La Cucina del Garga.

We prepared a sumptuous four-course meal before sitting down together in the dining room to enjoy the delicious fruits of our labor. Our dinner was well complimented by Sharon’s choice of wine, Chianti Classico from Borgo Salcetino in Radda.

Address: Via San Zanobi, 33/r

Participants in Sharon Oddson’s Florence cooking lessons prepare – and enjoy – a four-course meal.

A recipe from our Florence cooking lessons with Sharon

Pollo al Forno con Pesto di Pomodori Secchi

(Roast Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto)

 Serves 6 (in Italy, they also prepare this dish with rabbit).

 Ingredients

2 pounds chicken, chopped into approx. 4-inch pieces

5 sun-dried tomatoes

1 cup hot water

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon parsley leaves, finely chopped

2 cups dry red wine

Sea salt and pepper

Directions

Place sun-dried tomatoes in cup of hot water to soften for 1 hour. Wash chicken parts well and pat dry. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat olive oil in large skillet and brown chicken pieces over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side (you will probably have to make at least two batches).

Drain and fine-chop the sun-dried tomatoes and mix with garlic and parsley. Transfer chicken to an oven-proof casserole or baking dish, add wine and coat pieces with sun-dried tomato mixture. Roast for 45 minutes, salting and peppering to taste before serving.

Florence cooking lessons: Il divertimento comincia (the fun is about to start)!

Kudos to Sharon

I highly recommend Sharon’s Florence cooking lessons. She is an enthusiastic teacher and the camaraderie among the participants was great.

I also suggest that before you visit Tuscany, you commit to memory the phrase, “Un bicchiere di vino rosso, per favore.” (A glass of red wine, please!). It will come in very handy.

Buon Appetito!

Art Moldavia

Note from Elizabeth: If you’re interested in a thoroughly enjoyable, multi-day learning-to-cook experience read this post about Il Campo Cucina located in a tiny Tuscan village. The gracious owner of that school also kindly contributed Florence – 6 Insider Tips. Wondering where to stay in Florence? How about this great three-bedroom apartment?

Florence cooking classes: preparation of artichokes from Sardinia ready to be cooked.

Tags: Alessandro Gargani, chef, cooking, cooking lessons, culinary, culinary experience, eating, Firenze, Florence, Florencia, instructor, Italia, Italian, Italian cuisine, Italian food, Italy, La Cucina del Garga, learn to cook, learning vacation, real experiences, restaurant, restaurants, Sharon Oddson, teacher, tips, trip planning, Tuscan, Tuscany, vacations

Category: Cooking schools, Italy, Recipes