A fourth-generation Florentine, Francesco offers a unique perspective on his hometown like only a local can, and has some strong opinions on where to find some of the best meals and ingredients in Tuscany. 

It may be because he grew up harvesting olives with his family to make their own olive oil, or because of the many personal connections he has to other local producers through his family’s farm, which creates award-winning extra virgin olive oil and gourmet pasta made with heritage grain varieties. 

In any case, Francesco loves teaching visitors not only how to taste and find high-quality Tuscan food and wines, but the stories behind how they’re made. Francesco obtained a Masters degree with a focus on Human Ecology and Sustainability from the Università di Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo, Italy, where he also worked for three years organizing multi-day field trips for students to meet with winemakers, farmers, cheesemakers, fishermen, butchers, and other food artisans, both within Italy and around the world. 

After moving back home and leading and designing food tours for other agencies and tour companies, Francesco decided to strike out on his own to offer his unique and personalized experiences to food lovers with a passion for discovering local small businesses with a focus on quality. With his extensive network of food-producing friends, Francesco is responsible for planning and leading all of our gastronomic tours.