Top Genoa Classes & Workshops

There’s no better place to learn to make pasta than Italy and this small-group class in Genoa teaches you everything you need to know. Join a small group and learn to make fresh pasta from start to finish. You also learn how to make an iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu, before enjoying all your hard work during a delicious meal.

There's no better souvenir to bring home from your travels than the gift of authentic Italian cuisine. Learn how to make fresh egg pasta the Italian way with a local chef in his home in a historic palazzo and master the art of fresh pesto, too. Numbers are capped at just six travelers, ensuring an intimate experience and likely the chance to make friends over lunch.

This experience is special because it allows you to learn fresh pasta directly with a Pro Chef, in an intimate and authentic setting. Each participant prepares the pasta with their own hands, discovering traditional techniques not found in classic tourist courses. The final tasting makes the activity complete and convivial, transforming a simple cooking lesson into a real moment of Italian culture.

- The only cooking class in which a Chef and World Champion, Camilla Pizzorno, winner of the World Mortar Pesto Championship, teaches her recipe and its secrets; - Uses a large marble mortar and wooden pestle with more than 100 years; - Taste the freshly prepared pesto with a three-course Ligurian menu: the typical Genoese focaccia - a handmade pasta of the Ligurian tradition such as trofie or gnocchi seasoned with freshly prepared pesto - a traditional dessert: the Italian Tiramisù; - The dishes will be accompanied with a wine from the Ligurian Riviera and Italian liqueurs and grappas such as limoncello, myrtle and Camatti bitter; - Authentic Italian location surrounded by greenery: garden in the summer months and heated outdoors in the winter months.

The experience is made truly special by Tiziana's guidance and the setting in a 17th century palace. She is a certified Mortar Pesto expert and will show you how to create the best pesto you have ever tasted.

This activity is special because it allows you to discover the secrets of real homemade ice cream directly with those who prepare it every day. It's not just a tasting: you actively participate in the creation of ice cream, learn real techniques and taste flavors prepared by yourself. It is an authentic, practical and engaging experience, combining theory, manual skills and flavours in an informal and welcoming environment. Eventually you bring home not only recipes, but a true understanding of what it means to make quality ice cream.

This experience offers an authentic deep dive into Genoa’s culinary tradition, just steps from the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. You’ll learn to prepare real Genovese pesto using a traditional marble mortar and wooden pestle—just like locals have done for centuries. Set in our small artisan “food and wine” shop in the heart of the old town, the experience is hands-on, authentic and full of flavor. You’ll taste high-quality local ingredients and enjoy your handmade pesto served with trofie pasta, paired with a guided tasting of Ligurian wines. What makes this experience truly special is our family involvement: the class is led by us together with Gaia, our daughter, who was the youngest finalist at the World Pesto Championship in Genoa (March 2026). This is not just a cooking class, but a real connection to Ligurian culture, traditions and family hospitality.

In this activity you will get to know the ingredients and the authentic culinary traditions of the area, you will experience firsthand the preparation of fresh pasta and pesto and you can have lunch in a wonderful location inside an historical palace

ONLY EXTRAORDINARY LOCATIONS. Unique atmosphere in an ancient apartment of the '900 in the historic center of Chiavari and an exceptional guide as the foodteller Fabio Bongiorni. An ancient Genoese-style building, in the historic center of Chiavari, houses a noble apartment with a large living room and a kitchen equipped to carry out cooking classes and gastronomic experiences in an atmosphere of yesteryear. The experiences are all active, that is, you will be involved in the preparation of the dishes.

Discover the art of authentic Ligurian cooking in a hands-on class led by a local chef in the heart of Genoa, one of Italy’s most vibrant coastal food destinations. Learn how to make fresh handmade ravioli, fettuccine, and classic tiramisu from scratch using high-quality local ingredients. Enjoy a fun and engaging experience with expert guidance, fine local wine, and soft drinks in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With small group sizes, you’ll enjoy a more personal and memorable experience, so be sure to reserve your spot. Along the way, discover the stories and traditions behind Ligurian cuisine and take home authentic Italian cooking techniques to impress friends and family. After the class, sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you’ve created paired with local wine, ending on a sweet Italian note with homemade tiramisu. You’ll also receive the recipes so you can recreate everything at home and relive your unforgettable Genoa culinary experience.

Master the best Ligurian and Genovese recipes with guidance from local experts during this immersive cooking class in Genoa. This hands-on experience lets you prepare and taste at least four traditional dishes. Enjoy learning, cooking, and sharing stories in a fun, intimate setting with a small group size.

Learn to make delicious Ligurian dishes from a local during this private cooking class in Genoa. Get your hands dirty as you learn the tricks of the trade to make a few of the region’s best dishes. Then, enjoy the food that you’ve made paired with wines from the region and leave with an apron and reusable shopping bag as a keepsake.

Enjoy a hands-on way to discover Liguria’s storied cuisine during this gourmet, small-group cooking class, hosted in the resort town of Rapallo. In the morning, make your way to one of the town’s top restaurants, and be sure to come hungry. With your chef’s guidance, you’ll learn how to make traditional Ligurian pesto with a mortar and pestle, as well as several other dishes. At the end of class, sit down for a well-deserved lunch, accompanied with local wine.

Immerse yourself in Italian culture with a hands-on cooking class. Learn to prepare an authentic Genoese lunch with Italian wine, dessert and coffee. Get to work with your host to discover the secrets of traditional Genoese pesto, handmade tagliatelle and dessert. Sit back and enjoy your meal on a terrace overlooking the sea and take home the new culinary skills. Learn authentic Genoese cuisine in a local's home

The marble mortar, fresh Genovese DOP basil, pine nuts, Ligurian extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Pecorino cheese: the iconic ingredients of authentic Genoese pesto become the stars of an exclusive culinary experience in the heart of historic Genoa. This hands-on cooking class takes place in an elegant frescoed hall overlooking Via Garibaldi, the famous UNESCO-listed street of the Rolli Palaces. Guided by foodteller Fabio Bongiorni, you’ll learn how to make traditional pesto by hand using the ancient marble mortar technique, while discovering stories, traditions, and culinary secrets from Liguria. After a welcome toast with a glass of local Vermentino wine, you’ll enjoy the pesto you prepared yourself, served with authentic Genoese focaccia, bruschette, and a selection of local specialties. A refined and immersive experience, perfect for couples, small groups, and travelers looking to discover the true flavors and atmosphere of Genoa.

Become immersed in Italy’s rich culture as you learn to cook traditional dishes in the home of a local Genoan. Meet your dedicated host and visit a local market to shop for fresh ingredients to create your meal. Then, get hands-on experience creating dishes such as fresh pasta and a traditional dessert. Then, enjoy the fruits of your labor paired with local wines and good conversation.

Learn how to make the perfect Genoese pesto when you book this small-group cooking class. Learn the secrets of balancing flavors and textures, from mortar and pestle grinding to final blending as you combine fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil into the perfect sauce. Enjoy appetizers and locally-sourced wine that are perfectly paired to enhance your creations.

Immerse yourself in Italian culture as you learn to make classic dishes during this hands-on cooking class in Rapallo. Join a small group in a local’s home and learn to create fresh, Italian dishes from scratch. Create two types of pasta as well as the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu, while learning tips and tricks. End your class with a glass of wine and your freshly prepared food.

At Villa San Giacomo, a historic gem overlooking the Ligurian Gulf, a pesto cooking class awaits. Guided by a local home cook, you'll master the art of making authentic Genovese pesto with a traditional mortar and pestle. After your culinary creation, savor your homemade pesto paired with trofie pasta in the villa's elegant surroundings, complemented by a glass of local Italian wine. This hands-on experience is perfect for food lovers eager to indulge in the rich flavors and traditions of the Italian Riviera, just a stone's throw from Portofino and the Cinque Terre.

Immerse yourself in Italian culinary culture while visiting Camogli by booking this private cooking class. You and your private party will be welcomed into a local home, where you’ll learn to make three traditional Italian dishes; all ingredients and tools will be provided. Then sit down to taste what you’ve made with a glass of wine and conversation about Italian culture and food.

For those seeking an exclusive and regenerating wellness experience: Perfect for those who want to disconnect from the daily routine and dedicate themselves to their psychophysical well-being, in a unique and relaxing setting. For those who practice Pilates and want to experience a new dimension of the discipline: Ideal for Pilates enthusiasts who want to try a sweet and therapeutic version of the practice, immersed in the natural beauty of the sea. For small groups, couples or individuals looking for an intimate and personalized experience: Suitable for up to 4 participants, the experience is designed for those who want to enjoy a moment of tranquility and harmony, away from the daily hustle and bustle.

Step into the heart of Genoa and discover one of Liguria’s most beloved recipes: salsa di noci (walnut sauce). In our cozy food boutique, just steps from Christopher Columbus’ House, you’ll prepare this creamy sauce the traditional way — with mortar and pestle. Guided by a local host, you’ll blend walnuts, bread, garlic, and cheese into a velvety paste, then enjoy it served over pasta with a glass of fine Ligurian wine. To make the memory last, you’ll also receive a Certificate of Participation. A hands-on culinary experience that combines tradition, taste, and the warm atmosphere of Genoa’s historic center.

In the heart of the historic center of Chiavari, among ancient alleys, stone porches and colorful buildings overlooking the sea, I invite you to live an intimate and authentic experience dedicated to the flavors of the Ligurian sea. I will welcome you to my Genoese-style house, located in one of the most suggestive corners of the city, for a guided tasting of the precious Oysters of the Gulf of La Spezia, selected from the best local productions, along with fresh seafood: red prawns, scampi, anchovies, marinated tuna and swordfish. The dishes, raw and cooked, are inspired by the Ligurian maritime tradition, with some creative touches. DA a glass of Ligurian Vermentino or local sparkling wine, and DA an engaging story about the gastronomic culture of the sea, the farming techniques, the customs of fishermen and the stories of the territory.