Culinary Tours & Cooking Classes of Florida's Cultural Coast

Sarasota’s culinary scene is as vibrant and diverse as its stunning Gulf Coast views. From intimate hands-on cooking classes to guided culinary tours and at-home private chefs, the Suncoast offers a wealth of opportunities to immerse yourself in a world of gastronomic delight.

Culinary Tours Around Town

For those who enjoy savoring the best a city has to offer in terms of cuisine, culinary tours are a fantastic way to explore the area while providing the perfect mix of food and adventure:

• Sunset Food Tours: Combine the beauty of Sarasota’s iconic sunsets with a food journey you won’t forget. There are a multitude of tours available to discover delicious bites with breathtaking views—from a Taste of Downtown Sarasota walking tour and Sarasota Street Food Tour to a Sarasota Kayak & Food Tour, which begins with a 2-hour kayak ride through Lido Key. Available in early 2025, foodies can opt for a special Sarasota Culinary Experience. This new tour involves four upscale restaurants, gourmet eateries and specialty food shops to feast on more of a top-chef and fine-dining experience. 
• Key Culinary Tours: Offering guided "stroll and taste" experiences through Sarasota’s vibrant food districts, explore Downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, and Venice. These tours will introduce you to neighborhood gems, from upscale dining spots to beloved local eateries and even our weekly farmers market. You can even book your tour for breakfast/brunch, lunch or dinner spots. 

Hands-On Cooking Classes

Step into the kitchen with some of Sarasota’s most talented chefs and learn how to craft dishes that will impress even the toughest critics. These cooking classes provide a unique opportunity to hone your skills while celebrating local and global flavors:

• Chef Amalia Private Chef: Join former MasterChef Latino contestant and TV personality for a hands-on gourmet cooking class, whose vibrant personality and flavorful dishes pay homage to her Mexican heritage and training. She also offers skillfully prepared meals to be cooked for you and your guests from the comfort of your home or vacation rental, or a menu to order specialty dishes to be delivered.
• Hands-On Cooking with Giuliano Hazan: Award-winning teacher and cookbook author Giuliano Hazan and his wife Lael open their riverside home for an intimate hands-on cooking class that includes a seasoned four-course Italian meal and a convivial finale at the table paired with fine Italian wine. 
• VistaCucina: Offering pasta-making classes that blend Italian cooking with storytelling, learn how food brings people together and explore the heart of Italian culture. Private Chef Riccardo Renna will teach you how to make fresh fettuccine or ravioli from scratch, or, if you simply want to be wined and dined, he's apron-ready to bring the good vibes and provide his private chef services to whip up his signature dishes (and desserts!).
• Make It Swirl: This creative class combines baking with precision and art, teaching you how to decorate cakes like a pro. Book a party or event with friends and enjoy drinks and bites together while you each create your own cake-icing masterpiece. 

Private Chef Experiences 

Sometimes it's just nice to let someone else do the cooking for once. Let Sarasota's finest chefs into your kitchen to create customized meals while you entertain guests for a dinner party. Or utilize their personal chef services for meal-prepping without the hassle or cleanup!

• Custom Cooking at Home: Enjoy a luxury private chef experience in the comfort of your own home. Chef Christian Sarruff-Gimenez offers internationally inspired buffet options (for a minimum of 15 people), including the Iberico, the Mediterraneo, the Tex-Mex, the Oriental, the Toscano and the Deli Buffet, as well as carving stations and desserts.
• Chef Mike SRQ Personal Chef & Catering: From private chef dinners with a handful of guests to banquet and wedding catering, local Chef Mike and his team focus on approachable yet healthy, gourmet dishes. They even have years of experience providing private jet and yacht catering for those looking for a luxury meal by sea or by air. 
• Chef Bruno Wu: Feel like a special guest in your own home by with Chef Bruno Wu, whose custom-tailored and plated chef's services are as engaging as they are flavorful, whether for an intimate dinner for two or a family-style feast, enjoy his Brazil-native roots paired with his Los Angeles training and restaurant experience. 
• Chef Giuseppe Urbano: From handmade pasta stations and party trays for your big event to weekly Mediterranean meals to help you keep a healthy, on-the-go diet with no mess to clean, personal Chef Giuseppe is at your service. 

A Culinary Adventure Awaits

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just beginning your culinary journey, Sarasota’s rich array of tours and classes ensures that there’s a spice level and experience level for everyone. Explore international flavors, learn from top-tier chefs and discover the art of cooking in the heart of Florida’s Cultural Coast. With every bite, you’ll come to appreciate why Sarasota is a culinary destination like no other.

Be sure to plan your trip or reservations ahead of Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week's upcoming 20th Anniversary celebration. The area's most talked-about dining event will return June 1, 2025, so be on the lookout for special events, menus and promotions!