Luca Polverini
the cooking lab
I have a real passion for quality food and I am looking forward to sharing it with new people. Cooking and eating all together is such a good experience that I don’t want to keep it just for myself!
I’m really enthusiastic for the genuine Italian cuisine since childhood and I look forward to meet new “lovers” every day!
About
Hi! I’m Luca
Cooking has always been part of me: my grandparents were very good cooks and I always liked cooking with them. Over time I have refined the technique, experimenting and studying a lot. My house is very colorful, welcoming, with a kitchen and a dining room designed by me to be welcoming, practical and functional.
I started cooking when I was young, with my grandparents and parents. My grandpa used to hunt wild boar — he was very good in that. I enjoyed helping my family to cook. It was fun for me — pasta dough was like play dough! I also started volunteering in “sagras” (what’s a sagra?!?) and learned how to cook for a lot of people in a chaotic kitchen! I also used to share a house with friends, and I would invite friends over and cook for them. I started cooking as a side job, which eventually became full time. I do catering, teach cooking classes, and provide personal chef services. Cooking is my passion.
Experimenting is always my way of cooking, and I thought the name “The Cooking Lab” fit perfectly with what I do. Even though I focus on traditional dishes, every time you make the same dish, it will taste a bit different, but nevertheless delicious! For catering, I currently serve groups of up to 40-50 people. For my cooking classes, I focus on tradition, fresh ingredients and cooking in the moment.
Cooking means good food. It’s like a video game — I disconnect myself from everything else and focus on the food. It’s the pleasure of good food and good times. When I see people smiling, that’s important too!
Everyone is welcome
Perfect experience for the whole family.
I have a wide experience in working with children, don’t hesitate to come with your family!
Dietary restrictions
Suitable for most of food restrictions. Contact me and let’s choose a menu suitable to your needs together.
Where you'll be: in the hearth of Florence
Via Pasquale Villari 19, 50136 Firenze
With a very nice and practical kitchen and a dining room both looking at a private garden it’s the right place to learn the secrets of a real cooking day in Florence.
Other things to note
- Duration: approximately 3 hours
- We can customize the experience as you better see fit
Teaching
Cooking classes
Discover the secrets of the Italian cuisine! Fresh and quality ingredients, tradition and passion are the keys for the perfect meal. Be ready for a full immersion in a real Tuscan kitchen. Prepare your meal and taste it together with friends sharing talks and a good bottle of Chianti classico.
I can make a wide variety of different menus, get in contact to better personalize your experience!
– What we’re gonna do –
– Let’s see some pics! –
– Please Note!
Let me know what you wish to learn to cook, and I will organise the perfect experience tailored to your needs according to the local tradition!
Where you'll be: in the hearth of Florence
Via Pasquale Villari 19, 50136 Firenze
With a very nice and practical kitchen and a dining room both looking at a private garden it’s the right place to learn the secrets of a real cooking day in Florence.
Other things to note
- Duration: approximately 3 hours
- We can customize the experience as you better see fit
Cooking Class
Starting from...- Two types of pasta
- Fresh dessert
- Some local appetisers
- All drinks included
Personal chef
Home restaurant
Join me for an authentic and delicious Italian dinner that you’ll never forget! Enjoy homemade pasta, typical and traditional dishes from Tuscany and baked goods, along with great company and local wine and a typical dessert. Feel like part of the family as you enjoy lovingly prepared regional recipes, accompanied by carefully selected local wines, it will be a real “taste of home” experience!
– Let’s see some pics! –
– Please Note!
The sample menu is only to give you an idea of what I might cook. We can decide together a menu. Or you could let me know any kind of food restrictions you might have or what you don’t like and then I’ll surprise you with a typical menu which includes family recipes and local traditional dishes.
What's included
- Aperol spritz, chianti classico wine and more…
- Coffee and/or Tea
- A two/three/four-course meal depending on your choice
Other things to note
- We can customize the experience as you better see fit
You can choose between a variety of menus
Two course meal
Starting from...- Appetizer
- First course
- Sample menu: coccoli prosciutto & stracchino, home made fresh pasta
Three course meal
Starting from...- Appetizer
- First course
- Dessert
- Sample menu: bruschetta, homemade fresh pasta or risotto, tiramisù
Four course meal
Starting from...- Appetizer
- First course
- Second course
- Dessert
- Sample menu: bruschetta, polenta, roasted meat with porcini, biscotti cantucci & wine
What's included
- Aperol spritz, chianti classico wine and more…
- Coffee and/or Tea
- A two/three/four-course meal depending on your choice
Other things to note
- We can customize the experience as you better see fit
Personal chef
Private Chef & Catering
Wherever you need
I can come to your house, to your company or where you need.
Contact me if you wish to organise a private party or dinner and turn your home into a restaurant. I can be your home chef for the day, and cook live any recipe you may wish so to enjoy a different evening with your family and friends comfortably from home.
– Let’s see some pics! –
Some options of what I might provide
Aperitivo
- Bignè and pies, prosciutto, pecorino, bruschette (cherry tomatoes, mushrooms…), grilled vegetables.
- Live cooking: fried vegetables or coccoli prosciutto and stracchino.
First course
- Homemade pasta, chitarra spaghetti (meat sauce or veg option with cherry tomatoes).
- Live cooking: This kind of pasta can be cooked and stir-fried live so it’s always al dente.
- Pasta fredda (homemade pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella).
- Lasagna with bolognese sauce and vegetarian with pesto (oven is necessary to heat up before serving).
Second course
- Arrosticini (small meat skewers, typically lamb but also pork/chicken) or meat skewers. Veg option can be grilled tomino cheese.
- Live cooking: barbecued meat and/or cheese can be grilled live.
Dessert
- Tiramisù or cannoli siciliani with ricotta cream.
- Live cooking: cannoli siciliani are always filled at the moment so that they maintain the fresh taste and crunchy consistency.
Private Chef
Starting from...- For a buffet
- For a lunch
- Or for dinner
Information or book an experience
Contact me and find out more!
Asking is lawful, answering is courtesy.
Testimonials
Happy clients!
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This was the best part of our Florence trip! Highly recommend this experience! 
Lizzie
25/10/2019 Cooking with Luca was great! We really enjoyed our time and he was very accommodating and wanted us to have the best time. Highly recommend! 
Savanna
03/04/2022 I highly recommend this class if you find yourself in Florence either with friends or family. It’s a very personal class that will teach you things you can take back... read more 
Isabella
20/11/2019
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This cooking class was the highlight of our trip! Luca is an amazing chef and teacher, happy to share tips and tricks on how to make traditional Italian food and... read more 
Carlotta N
20/05/2022 Our Cooking Lab experience with Luca was amazing!! It was everything I was hoping for- an intimate lesson in an authentic/ family setting and amazing food! Luca invited us into... read more 
Julie K
26/09/2022 First and foremost, Luca is a very good cook, teacher and host at the same time. We really felt like home in his beautiful and clean kitchen that is decorated... read more 
Mara
05/06/2022
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One of the best experiences I had in Italy! Luca was amazing. He cooks with passion, love, and a smile on his face. What we prepared was so delicious, fresh, tasty. Genuine ingredients and kindness. I highly recommend The Cooking Lab Experience! Lovely and great memories that will last forever.
Martina Medolago
22/01/2023This cooking class was an exceptional culinary experience: Chef Luca has a brilliant way of sharing the art and tricks of the Tuscan culinary tradition. We were greeted with a fresh Aperitivo and then we dove right in the cooking lesson. We learned how to make gnocchi, fettuccine and ravioli. Everything was delicious and the family style setting gave us a true authentic Italian food experience. We highly recommend The Cooking Lab!
Lorenzo Berlincioni
22/01/2023Luca and his cooking class are exceptional and absolutely worth every penny. He offers you an experience you’ll never forget, and its so personal! You’re invited into his lovely home and his life. He tells you exactly what to do and it isn’t over complicated. He’s extremely friendly and makes you feel at home. I chose this course cause it felt small and intimate and that’s exactly what I got. Luca is the best and I’ll definitely be back for some more cooking lessons.
Taylor Pool
22/03/2023 -
The single best review I can write is that Luca managed to get a thumb up from my son, who is a super picky eater. We were a large group with different requests (one vegan, one gluten free) and Luca managed to accomodate all of us.
Dr. Emme Ci
22/03/2023Myself and a couple girlfriends booked a cooking night at The Cooking Lab and all our expectations were blown out of the water. We had such a great time and highly recommend!
Ashley Beauford
22/12/2022I took the cooking class here when I visited Italy and it was the highlight of the trip! Luca was so welcoming and friendly, and the food was amazing! I would recommend The Cooking Lab to everyone!
Gabriela Rivera
22/12/2022
Contact Me Directly
Or As You Want
Phone
(+39) 351.9877006
Address
Via Pasquale Villari 19, 50136 Firenze, Italia
