Friendly Weddings in Tuscany

Founder and owner at Arianna & Friends'

And that’s me, Arianna. When I was a student at the University of Pisa, I had a dream. I already knew that I somehow wanted to spread our Tuscan culture, but I didn’t yet know in which ways. I also knew that I first needed to educate myself more, to go deeper into what, for me, belonged to everyday life, before making it available to others.
Together with a team of enthusiasts like me, we carried out a lot of research, made many contacts, and finally found a good way to become ambassadors of Tuscan culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Yes, I admit it: the power that moved everything was my passion for food! For good food, and in particular for the delicious food of my mamma and my nonna, hehehh! It was by learning from my family that I started thinking I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share everything I knew with others. It couldn’t be any different, because here where we live, food is culture!
So we came up with a name for our project, our future business, that had to convey this message: spend time with us, your Tuscan friends, and you’ll feel like part of a family and experience Tuscany in a very authentic way. Also, meet our friends, all the farmers, cooks, and storytellers who represent our territory. The name Arianna & Friends was chosen as the best option.
Personally, I love planning, making people happy, organizing, and having crazy ideas… so crazy that sometimes my colleagues need to bring me back down to earth! I like making sure that people are more than satisfied when they return home from their Tuscan experience. I’m lucky to have Consuelo, Moira, Luca, Davide, Anna, Diletta, Yvonne, Alessandro, and Cristiano with me, along with all the cooks and assistants and all the other “friends” who help us provide excellent services, all of us, always with a big smile on our faces :)

Chef Services and Cooking Classes Coordinator

Buongiorno a tutti! My name is Anna, and I come from San Miniato, a historic Tuscan town also famous for its delicious white truffles. I first met Arianna in early 2000s, when I was working at a local agriturismo and she was organizing her very first cooking classes there. At the time, I was working at the reception, witnessing the early steps of what would later become Arianna & Friends as event organizers and food tour operators. I had the chance to see the company grow from the very beginning.
As Arianna & Friends continued to expand, we had several opportunities to collaborate over the years, until I officially joined the team on a more permanent basis in 2022. Today, I take care of the company’s accounting and coordinate all the chefs involved in our in-home chef services and cooking classes.
I especially enjoy organizing small weddings and private celebrations, helping our guests create intimate and authentic experiences they will always remember.
I am a patient and creative person, and I enjoy taking care of projects with calm and dedication. When I’m not working, I love spending time by the sea, as I now live in Livorno, a beautiful harbor town.
See you soon in Tuscany

Ciao, I'm Ester, one of the cooks of Arianna & Friends'. I've been working with them since the beginning of their adventure in 2007.
I love cooking together with people from all over the world, especially with young kids.
What I prefer to cook is pasta dishes, pizza and desserts, like for example the stunning cake I made to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary.
I live, like Davide (my nephew), in the little village of Lajatico, birthplace of Andrea Bocelli and from my home I can hear his voice and see something when Teatro del Silenzio takes place in July.
I live on a farm and I have chickens, rabbits, a large vegetable garden. I make my own olive oil and wine together with my family.
I hope to be able to cook with many of you in the years to come and teach you a lot of our typical Tuscan food.

Ciao, I'm Silvia, one of the youngest cooks at Arianna & Friends'. Cooking is my real passion and I like to prepare any traditional dish both for visitors and for my family. I also love baking pizza as well as trying innovative food and special contemporary techniques, especially in my kitchen at home. When I started working for this company in 2018, I met an incredible team of collaborators and with them I finally feel joy and serenity in what I do. Any time I work as a cook I can breath freedom and this makes me happy.
As I really love the sea, in my free time I like being at the beach. I have a passion for travelling and being in the company of my friends. I could define myself as a "free spirit" with a big attraction to ... hats !!!
Looking forward to meet you all!

Hi everybody, ciao a tutti. I am Elisabetta and I am the youngest one among the chefs of Arianna & Friends. I have been working with the company for several years, initially just as a sous-chef and eventually as a proper chef. I have accumulated many years of experience while learning from all my other colleague chefs, but I also added my personal taste and knowledge to the whole. I am really happy to be part of this team and to be able to meet people from all over the world. In my free time I enjoy the company of my lovely puppy for long walks or just hanging around for shopping. Ciao a presto!

Hi everybody! I am Paola, a talented cook who is never tired. I have been cooking all my life both privately and in the kitchens of a series of restaurants in the area I live in, near the central town of Empoli. I joined Arianna & Friends in early 2022 as the whole world was recovering from the difficult years of the pandemic and as the company was quickly restarting its operativity. I was very glad that I could join such a dynamic and friendly team and share with them all my knowledge and passion. I deal with cooking classes and chef services in all the region together with the various story-tellers and chef assistants who participate in the service. In my free time I enjoy cycling in the spectacular Tuscan hills that surround my home town. I can't wait to cook for you an unforgettable meal!