Meet
Virginia and Matteo
Virginia and Matteo are a young, dynamic couple who started a home dining experience in their cozy loft near Pisa. Virginia, a passionate 22-year-old chef, grew up in the kitchen of her father’s restaurant, where she learned the foundations of Italian cuisine. Her love for food and creativity led her to open her own home restaurant just a few months ago, offering travelers a chance to savor her innovative take on Tuscan dishes. Virginia believes that cooking is an act of love, and she strives to make every guest feel the warmth and joy of her creations. Matteo, her husband and talented barman, adds another layer to their culinary journey. Together, they are excited to welcome guests from all over the world into their home, sharing not just delicious food, but an enriching cultural experience. For them, food is more than just a meal—it's a way of connecting, learning, and growing through shared moments with people from diverse backgrounds.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(1-10 guests)
Enjoy traditional Tuscan flavors with a contemporary twist in Pisa. At Virginia and Matteo’s loft in Cascina, just 20 minutes from Pisa, guests are invited to indulge in a truly immersive Italian culinary experience. Virginia’s fusion of Tuscan tradition with her own creative, contemporary flair brings new life to classic flavors, all made with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to tell a story of Tuscany’s rich culinary heritage, presented with a modern aesthetic. Outside the kitchen, Virginia enjoys playing the piano, finding parallels between the art of cooking and music.
Your Tuscan symphony begins with a 'prelude' of Tuscan tomato soup with caramelized onion and basil oil or delicate potato mille-feuille with sausage, stracchino, and mushrooms or livers with vin. This is followed by act one, 'beyond tradition', where guests will savor gnudi made from sheep’s ricotta and spinach, set atop a creamy pecorino sauce, with sage and toasted almonds for added depth. The main course, act two, features peposo, marinated beef muscle slow-cooked in Chianti, served with a velvety cannellini cream, rosemary, and black charcoal bread. The meal concludes with 'the heart of apple', a mini Tuscan apple pie complemented by a red wine reduction, egg flip, and a dash of cinnamon, delivering a sweet finish to a perfect meal. This experience is an exploration of Italian flavors that will stay with you long after the meal ends.
Cooking experience:
(1-10 guests)
Join Virginia for a contemporary Tuscan home cooking experience in Cascina, just a short drive from Pisa. In this 2-hour hands-on cooking class in Pisa, you’ll learn to prepare two traditional Italian dishes from scratch. Start by mastering pici, a classic Tuscan pasta, and then create an authentic Italian tiramisù for dessert. Virginia will guide you step-by-step, sharing her culinary tips and insights into local food culture. By the end of your class, you’ll enjoy your freshly made dishes and gain a deeper appreciation for Tuscany’s authentic flavors.
This Pisa cooking class is ideal for food lovers, travelers, and anyone eager to experience genuine Tuscan cuisine in a welcoming home setting.
Notes:
Virginia and Matteo can accommodate lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets if informed in advance. Guests who opt for alcohol at an additional cost will enjoy a bottle of wine to share.
Please note that, as is common in many traditional Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.
Languages spoken:
English, Italian
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
Virginia is the youngest and most talented chef in Italy!!! Her cuisine is tradition and research,
passion and attention to detail. In her course she transmits all this and much more...
-
Lily
April 17, 2025
