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The hardest part about booking your holiday in Italy surely must be deciding what to eat, where, and when. There are only so many meals in a day, and your wallet (and waistline) can only stretch so far, so let’s start with the best. Pizza If there’s one food that comes to mind when you think of Italy, it’s got to be pizza. Let’s take it back to 1889, when Queen Margherita stopped in Naples and asked to try the dish that she saw so many people enjoying. Flash forward to your holiday tour and learn more than just history by studying the art of pizza making through cooking classes in Italy. Whether you’re in Naples experiencing their smaller, thicker, and fluffier pies or further north in Rome enjoying their classic, paper-thin crunch, keep your eyes out for simpler pizzas with fewer toppings as it usually means each ingredient is of exceptional quality. Fiorentina Steak You might find that you’ve worked up an appetite after your sightseeing experiences and day trips in Florence, which means you’ve certainly earned yourself a proper dinner! Reward yourself with a regional specialty – a bistecca Fiorentina, or a Florentine T-bone steak. This no-nonsense classic is at least 5 centimetres thick and is cut from the loin of a Tuscan Chianina cow, which are known for their massive size and impressive musculature. Each steak is cooked for five to seven minutes on each side and is typically served very rare and large enough to share. If your steaks all too often turn out tougher than your dog’s chew toy, it might just be the time for some cooking classes in Italy! Carbonara Spaghetti, eggs, pecorino cheese, cured guanciale, and black pepper. Sounds easy, right? Don’t be fooled by the short list of ingredients – carbonara is devilishly difficult to make and can take a lifetime to master. Arguably one of the most decadent and luxurious pasta dishes in Italy, you may find yourself hard-pressed to find a restaurant that does it justice. Gelato Not to be confused with ice cream, gelato is in a league of its own. It has a lower butterfat content (around 4-5% vs. 14%) and higher density (no added air or water to increase volume). Bear in mind that it is illegal, yes – illegal, in Italy to sell gelato that doesn’t adhere to these standards. All that means is that you’re guaranteed a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth explosion of flavour. The best stuff will be made with seasonal fruits and won’t resemble whipped up neon paint! Tiramisu A true grace after meals, tiramisu is a layered romance of sweetened mascarpone cheese and coffee-drenched ladyfingers. A proper tiramisu will feature high-quality coffee and mascarpone. Some chefs add cream and egg whites to the mascarpone to make it less dense, and others will swap traditional ladyfingers for other cookies. Try It Yourself! Whether you’re in Rome, carbonara’s epicentre, or exploring further reaches in Tuscany, do yourself a favour and try some cooking classes in Italy. Your taste buds will thank you for years to come. Author Plate Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering unforgettable cooking classes in Italy alongside a number of other great tours and excursions. Whether you want to ride a Vintage Vespa, try the famous Chianti wine or get cooking with fresh local ingredients, Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.
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