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Typically when we see our friend Gaia, we spend our time together traipsing after her and her bouncing hair through the narrow side streets of her hometown, Florence—weaving in and out of back-alley artisan shops and hole-in-the wall eateries.

She expertly navigates the city with us in tow, pointing out bits of architecture and art that might otherwise have gone unnoticed, explaining the hundreds-of-years-old history behind the buildings, or her personal connection to the shop owners. Her pride and love for her city and country radiates from her.

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When the lockdown went into place in Tuscany, Gaia was out of Florence visiting her parents in a different part of the region. She told us she only had one pair of jeans, a dress, and a couple tops she brought with her for what she assumed to be a quick trip, but ended up being there for almost two months!

Still, she looked radiant as usual on our first class with her as she taught us to make traditional Florentine Gnudi from her family's kitchen. She clasped her hands together in excitement at the end as the participants began raving over how good the dish tasted.

We asked her to explain how COVID has affected her daily life. She replied, “’Affected’ is too bland as a word to describe it. From one day to another I didn't have a job or a life anymore.

I switched from the Ice Age squirrel (running around the town on my bicycle to negotiate prices and conditions with restaurants and bars, tasting food, leading tours, etc.) to having absolutely nothing to do.

Suddenly, I was unemployed and at home all day; I had to suspend my mortgage, and my loans.

These cooking classes are what took me out of a bubble of sadness and apathy and gave me new energy. When Annie contacted me, she literally saved me from being just a step away from depression.

She gave me a reason to wake up in the morning. I feel like I am part of something new and exciting ... I feel connected to the participants as well as the fantastic TTLT team.”

But beyond giving Gaia a reason to get up, these classes have greatly impacted her financially while being out of work. “Money-wise these contributions are also a huge help,” She says. “I am experiencing a difficult time...my unemployment voucher hasn't arrived yet and I am now on my third month out of employment, but the first month of cooking classes have already paid for 1 month of mortgage!”

Gaia teaches us a range of classes focused on traditional Tuscan and Florentine favorites. Check out some of her upcoming classes below and sign up to meet her yourself!