Recently, I had the good fortune to go on a food tour compliments of The Tour Guy that was run through Eating Europe. We fulfilled our guide, Kiara, near the Medici Chapels in the historic San Lorenzo area. This area is popular to me, as it’s where one of my favorite dining establishments lies, along with the Mercato San Lorenzo (likewise known as Mercato Centrale) where I do a fair bit of my grocery shopping.
The group was small– simply me and another American couple accompanied by their two teenage boys. I was thrilled because a little group is ideal for asking questions but I choose a group instead of going solo, because I’m a chatty person who enjoys to satisfy individuals.
Kiara developed a welcoming and enjoyable ambiance for the group. As she directed us through our cooking adventure, she interjected bits about Florence’s history or the food we were eating in a manner that motivated a laid-back, convivial environment. We were all active individuals with lots of chance to talk with her and each others– she was incredibly experienced about Florence and its history.
One of the factors I advise guides when traveling is for exactly that kind of personal experience. Yes, one can do their research study, checked out guidebooks, watch programs, etc, however nothing is rather an unique as having a specialist guide you around their city– giving their recommendations and highlighting their preferred parts. A talented guide, which Kiara was, will likewise pick up on hints from the group in order to customize the experiences to their needs. A terrific guidebook, a talented blog writer, or enjoying Stanley Tucci doesn’t create a customized memory like that for you.
Starting with cantucci and vin Santo from Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo, we devoured Florence one bite at a time. After nibbling on those scrumptious twice-baked cookies, we headed over to Mercato Centrale to see the suppliers and taste their items. The tour was a mix of food history and culinary culture. We learned about the market, the suppliers, the customs of the Florentine individuals, and so far more.
At Marco’s Salumi e Formaggi, we sampled various meats and cheese finding out about their production and how they complement Florence’s saltless bread (there are numerous stories as to why this is but my preferred includes a competition in between Pisa and Florence). From fennel sausage to sweet prosciutto to aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, we munched away.
Our makeshift tagliere was followed by a trip to taste various olive oils and balsamic vinegars– heaven– and then to drink Prosecco– more heaven. Our stomachs already full, we then went on to sample Florentine’s preferred offal– lampredotto. This fourth stomach of the cow (due to the fact that the first 3 simply will not do) is normally served with a verdant salsa verde or a spicy chili oil on a crusty roll. The taste is quite subtle. Although I’m typically not a fan of offal, I discover lampredotto to be more fragile and not as assertive as other organ meat.
At the panino stand we also had a fried meatball with the green sauce and a tomato salad. Mamma mia!
Already feeling rather full, I thanked the gods that I had used expandable trousers when Kiara said it was now time to get our lunch (we had actually bought from a choice of primi foods– lasagne, eggplant Parmigiano, or panzanella when we first entered the market). We went close by to a wine shop where the sommelier in charge led us through a tasting of numerous white wines native to the Chianti region.
Full and pleased, we left the white wine shop only to find that our guide had one last tasting for us– gelato. Kiara informed us what to search for when picking a gelateria (little batches, natural colors, preferably in little tins) and we each got to pick our two preferred tastes.
The food tour intermingled littles the city’s past, food history, and culture with delicious morsels of Florence’s finest cuisine. We got top quality food and wine, an expert guide, and a good time for a sensible cost. In all, I consider it rather a value. My trip was sponsored by The Trip Guy who partnered with Consuming Europe to provide this specific trip. Although that specific tour is not used through The Trip Guy today, they have lots of other alternatives to pick from, consisting of one at San Lorenzo Market and one at a more regional market (Sant’Ambrogrio)– I have actually listed links below. I have actually also taken their “Florence Night Food Tour” in the past and it was fantastic.
I strongly recommend you take a cooking class and/or food tour when in Florence. Pleased journeys and buon appetito! Amy
N.b. Kiara’s name is officially spelled as Chiara but she told us that she spelled it Kiara for work to avoid confusion with other Chiara’s.
The Tour Guy Florence food tours I advise and my affiliate links for them:
Florence Evening Food Tour with Florentine Steak and Tuscan Red Wine (Delight in 14 genuine tastings throughout 5 regional restaurants for the supreme Florentine food journey): https://tidd.ly/4l6YIQo
Sant’Ambrogio Market Trip and Cooking Class with a Local Chef in Florence (Discover Tuscan street food, prepare a 3-course meal with tagliatelle and tiramisù and attempt 2 white wines) https://tidd.ly/44WIDIc
Genuine Tuscan Cooking Class in Florence with San Lorenzo Market (Develop delicious pasta, tiramisu, and more with market-fresh components and an expert local chef) https://tidd.ly/4ooHAsj
Pizza and Gelato Making Cooking Class with Unlimited Red Wine in Florence (Produce the authentic food of Italy with a specialist pizzaiolo chef, homemade lunch, and white wine) https://tidd.ly/45keTUx
Florence Field Trip to Tuscany: Siena, San Gimignano & Winery Lunch (Relax on this Tuscan outing with a 3-course lunch and 6 wine tastings) https://tidd.ly/3U4OxRk
Chianti Vineyards 3-Course Dinner with Transport from Florence (Escape to Tuscany for an evening of wine tastings, relishing 4 exquisite white wines and local cuisine) https://tidd.ly/4odeXhH
Chianti Wineries Tour with Food and White Wine Tasting (See two luxurious white wine estates, taste regional white wine, and sample scrumptious fruit and vegetables on this half day tour) https://tidd.ly/3HeTunB
A Florence grocery store
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