Florence for Food Lovers

Having grown up in a family where eating and drinking well were part of daily life, exploring the food and wine landscape of a country known above all for its culinary traditions came naturally. I was lucky to find friends with common interests and many who work in the food and wine world, and I began to realize that this was an exploration to take more seriously. I also had the good fortune of working with Faith Willinger, the American food writer considered the guru of all things Italian when it comes to food and wine.

Boutique Florence opens up Florence’s authentic (and oftentimes very innovative) gastronomic scene to food and wine enthusiasts (or people who are just curious to learn why everyone loves Italian food and wine so much), offering a walking tour whose stops include Florence’s very best gourmet food shops for tastings of extra virgin olive oil, traditional balsamic vinegar, truffles, a variety of amazing cheeses, and more; the city’s (and perhaps Italy’s) best gelateria; and lunch at a typical Florentine trattoria.

Clients can also choose to focus on just one gastronomic treasure with a gelato-making demonstration at the gelateria of a man who is considered by many in Italy to be the most innovative of all gelatieri; a “chocolate crawl” to the shops of artisanal Florentine and Tuscan chocolatiers; or a cheese-tasting extravaganza highlighting the specialties of artisanal cheese makers whose products come exclusively from animals that they raise.

Boutique Florence also offers day trips to Panzano, where a visit to an organic winery considered one of Italy’s best is followed by lunch at the restaurant of the world’s favorite butcher, Dario Cecchini.

Sipping in Style

For those looking to deepen their knowledge of Italian wine, Boutique Florence offers experiences both in and out of town. Choose to spend the day with an English-speaking sommelier well-versed in all things Tuscan who will bring you into the hills of Chianti for a day of sipping and eating at the estates of two historic wine producers. We can also organize visits to wineries in lesser-known wine producing areas of the region for those curious to explore the world outside Chianti.

Boutique Florence also offers guided tastings within the city walls at one of Italy’s most favorite wine bars. Whether you are a wine novice or well-versed in vino, you will enjoy the detailed explanations of our favorite enotecari and sommeliers, as well as the plates of spectacular cheese and cured meats that will accompany you on your wine exploration.

Cooking with the Best

We are lucky enough to have access to some of Florence’s best, renowned, most influential culinary experts, and we have the pleasure of offering our clients the chance to spend a day learning from, cooking with, and most importantly, sharing a tavola a phenomenal eating and drinking experience with them. Options include attending demonstrations followed by multi-course lunches, as well as more hands-on experiences, including spending a day in the kitchen of one of Florence’s best restaurants.