We are Simonetta and Paola, two Italian sisters, who have given Italian Cooking Classes in Italian and English in their homes since 1990.
Since 2002 Toscana Mia has been our Cooking School in Florence and in the region of Chianti, in the Tuscan countryside.
We do research in the field of Italian food tradition.
In our cute property in Chianti we produce extra virgin olive oil and organic fruit and vegetables, that we then use for the everyday necessities of our family and for our classes.

We have worked with chefs of international name: our home-style cookery has got reputation over the last years.
We collaborate with Food & Cooking Magazine.

Having a father from Apulia, south of Italy, and a mother from Verona, Northern Italy, relatives from all over Italy, and having lived for years in different towns of Italy, we can really say we are Italians with a good knowledge of cur country. But the most important thing is our love, our passion for our country, which we would like to share with you leading you through Tuscany and its artistic towns, its hilly countryside, making you discover wines and white “cannellini” beans, but especially the people.

SIMONETTA

I've loved to cook since I was 9 years old. I fell in love with cooking reading cookbooks, experimenting recipes and food also from other countries. Cooking with my mother and sister was normal, since we always invited friends at lunch or parties.

Probably because of my scientific mind I degreed in Biology at the University of Florence.
Because of the international family relations I studied English, French and Spanish.
I started my career as a researcher in a Biology Centre and went on as a Nutrition Expert for a Dutch Company.
Then I started thinking that the Foreign Language school of my family had much more to do with my love for travelling and meeting people.
The demand for Italian Cooking Classes and the friendship with restaurant chefs transformed what was just a hobby into my main work.
I used to live in a city and I still love it but I’ve learnt to appreciate the beauty and the lifestyle of the Chianti countryside.

PAOLA

The first smell I can remember of in my life is a white pizza with rosemary on top; when I was 8 years old I played the part of a chef in a theatre piece.
With a passion for communication, I degreed in Foreign Languages at the University of Florence.
I can speak English, German, French and others for passion.
I started my career as an interpreter/translator in different fields and - following a family tradition - I chose the Diplomatic Career doing International studies but the desire to work independent was too strong and so I finally joined the Foreign Language School of my family.
I found out that my true passion is teaching what I know best: Italian Language and Italian Cooking, that is a way to share these passions of mine with everybody else.
I used to live in a city but I love the country and I like walking with my daughters among the olive groves and the vines.