Italy's Top Cooking Schools tuscan cooking school pioneers. "For the past 20 years, Judy Francini has taught students how to prepare Tuscan dishes like garmugia (a spring stew) in her cooking school bear Florence's famed San Lorenzo market." (September, 2007) Top five destinations for culinary travelers. "Chef and cooking personality Judy Witts Francini leads one of the most acclaimed short cooking programs in Tuscany, the Divina Cucina. All classes are led by Judy, and begin with shopping in Florence's central market to purchase ingredients for a custom menu and to taste olive oil, cheeses, vinegar, and other foods. Classes also include a wine pairing by a sommelier, a hands-on cooking class and meal, and a Divina Cucina cookbook and apron. Classes are scheduled throughout the year..." (June 26, 2006) "When she and her students stroll through Florence's massive Mercato Centrale in search of fresh vegetables, cheeses and meats for that afternoon's prepared lunch, she's the toast of the place. At the Perini stand, she and her groups get treated to generous platters of assorted antipasti. At Conti, a gourmet stand that packs and ships goods worldwide, her guests sample fine olive oils and balsamic vinegars while learning from the family matriarchs how they're produced. And at Baroni -- which features prosciutto, fine cheeses and an extensive spread of condiments -- the group nibbles smooth pecorino samples dipped into a sweet-and-spicy mostarda created by Francini herself. Stops at the nearby Casa del Vino for complimentary pre-lunch glasses of Prosecco and at a nearby pasticceria follow, ensuring Francini's guests have all the fresh ingredients needed for their lesson and lunch, both held in her cozy Florentine apartment that's just steps from the Mercato." (August 3, 2005) "Judy Witts Francini provides superb hands-on, one-, two-, or three-day cooking classes in her adopted hometown of Florence. Her website is very informative with an interesting list of food artisans and a reliable Florence restaurant review section." YourOwnPrivateTuscany.Com Recommended for the "Best Cure for the No-Kitchen Blues" when visiting Florence by Bon Appétit (May 2005) Don't miss the profile of Judy in Town & Country Travel (Fall 2004) read it now! Divina Cucina recommended by GQ Magazine (October 2004) Judy "has an outgoing, lively personality and a thorough knowledge of Tuscan cooking." "If you are a lover of all things Italian, especially the food, treat yourself to Judy's Divina Cucina where enthusiastic participants learn the art of cooking and eating...Tuscan-style." Diablo Magazine (November 2003) says of Divina Cucina "Don't Cook Italian, Be Italian! Travel to Florence and Learn How to Eat-and Live-Like a Local" Meet Divina Cucina on "A Whistlestop Culinary Tour of Italy" (2004) Divina Cucina Contributes to a "Feeding Firenze" (June 2004) "If you go to Florence and you eat, the first thing you should do is register for Judy Witts cooking class. Not only does she give you a great tour of the open-air markets and where to find the best deals food or otherwise, but her knowledge of the culture and food of this area will give you a better appreciation of what you are experiencing for the rest of your vacation. We spent two hours shopping in easily the best food market I've ever been too." Read more about Judy in "Blogging through Italy" by Michael Maness.