Traveling Spoon

16/03/2025

Eat Like a Local in Florence!

Looking for a fun and delicious way to explore Florence? Join Martina, a passionate local guide, for a food tour through the city’s markets, hidden gems, and local eateries! Taste the finest Tuscan food, wine, and olive oil, all while learning about the region's rich culinary history.

Review from a guest who enjoyed their Florence food tour:

"Martina was fabulous! She had a vibrant personality and a real love for Florentine culture. She was extremely knowledgeable and kept the tour light and fun while treating us to her favorite spots in Florence. 10/10 would recommend taking a tour with Martina!"

Book your food adventure in Florence today!

15/03/2025

Gather the Family for a Delicious Adventure in Florence!

Looking for a fun and delicious way to immerse your family in Tuscan culture? Join Cinzia for a hands-on pasta-making experience that the whole family will love! Learn to make three types of pasta—pappardelle or tagliatelle, ravioli or tortellini, and gnocchi—along with three delicious sauces!

Let's hear what a recent guest had to say about their experience with Cinzia:

"Cinzia was a wonderful hostess as she welcomed us into her home and began to teach us to make homemade pasta (gnocchi, ravioli and tagliatelle) along with sauces using pumpkin, artichokes, pears, sausage and leaks. She was patient and wise and we had fun and enjoyed her amazing kitchen with all the best equipment-it was such a great experience for us and the food turned out to be delicious and very “Florentine”! By the end of the evening we were like family…highly recommend this experience while you are visiting Florence."

A must-do for anyone who wants to experience the art of pasta making and cooking in Italy.

14/03/2025

Dine in a Beautiful 12th-Century Tuscan Home!    
 
Experience authentic Tuscan cooking in Maria's beautifully restored 12th-century countryside home! As an architect specializing in bio-architecture, Maria’s home blends history and sustainability, creating the perfect setting for learning her grandmother’s cherished recipes.

But don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what one recent guest had to say: 

"This was absolutely the best experience ever. Cooking with Maria was wonderful. She taught us every step of the dishes we made. We got to make them with her and she shared a lot of recipes with us. Her house is absolutely beautiful and she hosted us in the most wonderful way. If in Florence, don't miss the chance for a cooking class with her. I would recommend it to everyone."

Enjoy a guided tour of the San Lorenzo market, followed by a hands-on cooking class and delicious meal with Maria!

13/03/2025

Pasta Lovers, This One’s for You!

Always dreamed of making pasta from scratch? Meet Patrizia, a cookbook author and food journalist, for the ultimate pasta-making experience in Florence! Start your journey at Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, picking out fresh produce before learning to make tagliatelle, ravioli, or gnocchi. 

Here’s what a happy guest had to say: 

"My husband and I had our honeymoon in Italy and were lucky enough to book Patrizia's Tuscan cooking class. The class began by meeting her at her local farmer's market and picking out the food we would use for our recipes. We ended up making three different courses and she had appetizers for us to munch on while we cooked and wine to pair with our meal. Patrizia was such a gem to learn from, she was friendly, inviting, and so knowledgeable of everything culinary. My husband and I agree that this was one of our favorite things we did while in Italy and would absolutely dine with Patrizia again. Upon leaving she sent us an email that included recipes for each of the dishes we made and even included recommendations for some of the olive oils and cooking utensils we used while cooking with her. We loved Patrizia and will forever remember this cooking experience."

Don’t miss this hands-on pasta-making class in the heart of Florence!

12/03/2025

Unforgettable Cooking Experience in the Florence Countryside!  

Fabio, an architect and designer, and his wife Christiane, a German journalist, invite you to their cozy countryside home for a truly unique cooking class! Expect breathtaking views, a stroll through an olive grove, fascinating insights into Florence’s rich history, and the chance to try authentic homemade dishes you can only find in a local’s home!  

Review by a guest who enjoyed Italian Christmas with Fabio and Christiane:

"We had a wonderful experience from the moment we booked our reservation, Fabio was in contact with us in preparation for the menu and the meeting location for our cooking class. He arranged the time so that we could see the sunset overlooking Florence from the countryside, It was an amazing view! We made a traditional Italian Christmas dinner with bollito and meat broth, salsa verde, green sauce for the "bollito", cappelletti in the meat broth, and pears tart with chocolate. The meal was delicious and the company was wonderful. Fabio and Christiane were very warm and welcoming hosts with great conversation. It was all we expected and more."

Book this off-the-beaten-path culinary experience in Florence—you won’t regret it!

10/03/2025

Get ready to experience Florence like never before, from cooking classes to hidden gems! This week, we're diving into the heart of Florence with our top hosts, glowing reviews, and insider tips on the best cultural experiences with locals.

Stay tuned for all the local secrets!

24/02/2025

The BEST Mexican food is made in a local’s home! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind dining experience with Martha and Arturo in Mexico City! Learn to cook traditional Mexican dishes, some dating back to the pre-Hispanic era, in Martha’s warm, welcoming kitchen.

Here's what our traveler had to say about their cooking class with Martha: "We cooked and had dinner in Martha’s lovely home. We requested making tortillas and mole, and lucky for us, she was able to accommodate that night. We were also able to make a veggie side—I was surprised by how much we were able to make! Martha clearly loves hosting people, cooking, and sharing her culture. Cooking while enjoying a glass of wine and her warm company in her kitchen was so fun. I’m excited to try these dishes at home now. I highly recommend spending an evening with Martha!"

Join a local in their home kitchen and learn to cook from family recipes, while sharing stories, wine, and great food!

23/02/2025

A MUST-DO Experience in Mexico City! Looking for a fun, authentic cooking class with a local twist? Join Alex and Ale, a dynamic duo of a teacher and professional tour guide, for a hands-on culinary journey through Mexican cuisine!

Here's what a recent guest had to say, "Alex was personable and made our group of four women feel comfortable in his home. As someone who grew up eating a lot of Mexican food, I wasn’t certain how much I would learn, but I learned a LOT. It was fun, interactive, and the food? delicious. Alex planned a perfect meal for a cool night and accommodated our dietary restrictions, nicely. He was prepared and professional."

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable cooking experience in Mexico City!

21/02/2025

An incredible market-to-table experience in Mexico City! Start with a guided tour of Melchor Muzquiz market to pick fresh ingredients and then cook an authentic Mexican meal with your host, Mariana and Geraldine, award-winning chefs.

But don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what one recent guest had to say:

"Mariana and Geraldine hosted us for an amazing night, and we would 100% recommend them to anyone looking to learn a bit more about Mexican cuisine or even just for a fun night of good food and good company! Mariana provided a ton of historical and cultural knowledge as they took us around the market. To have a local show you around immerses you in a way that just isn't otherwise possible! We were then welcomed into Geraldine's home and kitchen, taught to make several unique authentic Mexican dishes, and sat down for a lovely meal with two very talented and interesting hosts!"

So what are you waiting for? Embark on a culinary journey that’s as rich in flavor as it is in culture.

20/02/2025

Tortilla-making magic in Mexico City! Learn to make homemade tortillas from scratch with Margarita, a talented cookbook co-author who loves sharing her knowledge and teaching guests the art of Mexican cooking.

Here’s what a traveler had to say about their cooking class with Margarita:

"My sister and I had a wonderful time shopping and cooking with Margarita. Her recipes were delicious and easy to follow. In fact, we’ve been making homemade tortillas ever since we left! If you're a foodie, I highly recommend you book this tour and take your foodie adventures to the next level!"

Join Margarita for an unforgettable cooking experience in Mexico City!

19/02/2025

Lucia, one of our incredible Mexico City hosts, is a gastronomic historian who loves sharing the rich history of Mexican cuisine. Her passion shines through in every class, and her guests can’t get enough!

Here’s what one recent traveler had to say:

"Cooking with Lucia was the highlight of our week in Mexico City! She is a fabulous host, and her beautiful kitchen was a total pleasure to be in. Having lunch on her terrace was pure delight! The food was absolutely delicious, and her instructions were easy to follow. Lucia is simply the very best! Don’t miss the chance for a wonderful, relaxing, and fun learning experience in a beautiful part of Mexico City!"

Come meet Lucia and experience a culinary adventure like no other!

 

18/02/2025

Discover the heart of Mexico City with Traveling Spoon! Join us this week as we introduce you to some of our amazing hosts who open their homes to share authentic Mexican cuisine, family recipes, rich culture, and unforgettable stories.

Don’t miss the chance to experience Mexico like never before. Stay tuned for heartfelt reviews and inspiring moments from our travelers!

10/02/2025

Cooking with Chef Santika is an unforgettable experience! One recent traveler had this to say:

'Chef Santika's cooking class is very well thought out. I learned new techniques and discovered so much about Balinese cuisine. We prepared an incredible variety of dishes, and I was thrilled to learn so much more than I expected. Chef Santika is warm, friendly, and passionate about cooking—his love for it really shows! At the end, we got a cookbook with all the recipes and a certificate. I highly recommend this class. It was a wonderful experience that I will always remember!'

Ready to cook like a pro with Chef Santika in Ubud?

08/02/2025

Cooking with Wayan, you'll experience authentic cooking methods while learning about the health benefits of the herbs, roots, and spices used in Balinese cuisine. One traveler shared this beautiful review:

'Wayan’s cooking lesson and home meal were incredible! She went to so much effort with all the food and it was so fun to cook with traditional Balinese methods. We learned how to use banana leaves for cooking and made yummy dishes with fresh, simple ingredients. We’d highly recommend trying a cooking class and meal with Wayan. Thank you so much!'

Ready to cook like a local in Ubud?

08/02/2025

Kadek and his team are bringing the best of Balinese food and culture on their organic community farm and kitchen run by a group of locals! One recent traveler had this to say:

'We've traveled the world, taking a good number of cooking classes in different countries. This class was by far the best we've experienced! We learned so much about their cooperative farming effort, and we even harvested some of our ingredients! The instructors were enthusiastic and affirming at every stage of the meal prep. This was a fun and energetic celebration of Balinese food and culture!'

A huge thanks to Kadek and his team for creating such a memorable experience!

06/02/2025

Our host, Dewa, is all smiles after a garden tour where he and his travelers foraged fresh veggies, herbs, and spices to cook a traditional Balinese meal on a wood-fired stove! Here’s what a recent family of 11 he hosted had to say:  

'Dreamy Day with Dewa. My family (11 people total) went to Dewa's home for a cooking class and it was the highlight of our trip! I enjoyed the food and his home and doing an activity together. However, the car ride to and from the house with Dewa was the most impactful. Dewa shared a bit about his philosophy on life and it was just so refreshing.' 

Such a special experience in Bali✨

06/02/2025

Our recent traveler had a wonderful time cooking up delicious Balinese dishes with Putu in her beautiful family home in Ubud! Here’s what they had to say:

'Book this class! My husband and I really enjoyed this cooking class! Putu was very friendly and informative and was kind enough to give us a tour of her family home before the class began. All of the food was amazing, and Putu took the time to explain everything to us as we cooked. Highly recommend taking this class!' 

Ready for your own Balinese cooking adventure?

29/01/2025

✨ Exciting news! I had the honor of joining Christine Winebrenner Irick on the Soul of Travel Podcast (), presented by . 🎙️

We had a fantastic conversation about:

🍽️ The power of food in connecting people, places, and cultures
🏡 Building partnerships that bring travelers into local homes for authentic culinary experiences
🎨 How my background in industrial design influences my work as CEO & founder of Traveling Spoon

Listen to our conversation here:

Food, Connection, and Cultural Bridge-Building with Aashi Vel