What an amazing experience. I have done this class before about 10 years ago and it just got better. Erika and Stefania were fantastic and this is a must do if you are in the area. Well worth the time and the money if you want a little history, cooking and fun! Would do again!
Well, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty for something that ends up delicious…you should
ahead and take this class. My son now wants a pasta tool to start making his own pasta. I’m excited because he’s a really good chef… the instructor was very hands-on during this process which made it easier for me..
Chef Alex made this experience for us. He was so knowledgeable about the Neapolitan pizza method. He kept us laughing with his jokes all throughout our time with him and we ended the night with incredible pizzas and delicious tirimisu. Thanks so much Alex!
Well organized- the greeting, the transportation, the wonderful ocean front location of the restaurant where the class was held. All the staff from the drivers to the Chef, Mama Francesca, and “Tiny” chef were so fun and helpful. Wine flowed, the food was great - I will treasure the recipe for Caponata forever! A great way to spend some quality time in Taormina.
Lorenzo our head chef made this experience one to remember
We learned and laughed
The opportunity to make three unique pastas and sauces provided ample instruction so we could take home better skills
After the work came the feast, delicioso!
Highly recommend this experience
One of the best experiences in Rome! This was on our last night in Rome and we had so much fun. Mersad was funny and taught us so much about the art of Italian cooking. Put this on your list of MUST do! Pasta and tiaramasu was fabulous. Even my husband paul who is a terrible cook did great with Mersads careful instruction. He made it fun!
This was a fabulous experience! I am sad that I do not remember the name of our teacher, but she was beautiful, sweet, patient and supportive. We made ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta, fettuccini and tiramisu. Our pasta was cooked for us and served with delicious sauces, crusty bread and a variety of wines. We enjoyed the tiramisu and then a shot of limoncello. The whole event took about 4 hours. I highly recommend this excursion.
Best day ever:)
Alessia, Beatrice and Leticia are great teachers and so fun . They showed us the process and then let us go for it as we practiced our pasta making skills. Our group agrees that our lunch was the best pasta we had ever had.
Gelato was yummy and and we left a very contented group.
We had so much fun at this class!! My 2.5 year old had a great time. Our teacher, Lisa, was not only a great instructor, but she was also funny and extremely great with my son. The pizza and gelato were absolutely delicious and I appreciated the different types of toppings we had to choose from so that everyone was happy.
We were two families with 4 adults and 4 kids, this class was AMAZING! Hands down one of our favorite things from our trip! It was close to our hotel, the chef Mari was delightful and so patient with our kiddos. She helped them each step and if they made a “mistake” she showed them how to keep going without starting over! Can not thank her enough for wonderful class! Definitely feel like we can make these at home now, and enjoyed sampling our dishes at the end! The brown butter sauce with the Ravioli was PERFECT!
This cooking class was an unforgettable experience, our cooking instructor kept the class fun, entertaining and enjoyable. My friends and I came from Texas and we do not regret booking this experience. We would do it over and over for the fun enjoyable memories. Thank you! The pasta and tiramisu & unlimited wine were delicious
We loved this experience! Ale was a wonderful host and chef, the group was small, and the hands-on instruction was fabulous. We all enjoyed the Pasta Museum as well and learned a lot. Finally, the food we made was great. There were no negatives for us, and I highly recommend the experience!
Italian food is arguably one of the most beloved cuisines in the world, so Italy is proud (and protective) of its culinary culture. Italy cooking classes let you connect with diverse regional cuisines that range from the Alpine specialties of the north to Mediterranean crowd-pleasers in the south. Tie on an apron, roll up your sleeves, and go hands-on to learn how to prepare authentic risotto in Milan, pici pasta in Tuscany, pizza in Naples, couscous in Sicily, and much more—washing down each triumph in the kitchen with perfectly paired local wine.
People Also Ask
What are the best cooking classes in Italy?
There are plenty of high-quality cooking classes in Italy to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best tours available right now:
Costs vary for cooking classes in Italy, but US$40 is a typical starting price for group pasta-making or pizza-making experiences in cities including Florence, Rome, and Naples. Private and specialty cooking classes are priced upwards of US$140, and may include perks such as market tours and trips to countryside farmhouses.
Are cooking classes in Italy worth it?
Yes, cooking classes in Italy are worthwhile for novice cooks and avid chefs alike. Making pasta and regional specialties from scratch is a memorable way to learn about the country's cuisine beyond the restaurant scene. By cooking alongside your teacher and fellow travelers, you'll also enjoy an interactive, hands-on break from sightseeing and museum-hopping.
Per one customer who booked the 3-in-1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu, "What a fun and stress-free way to learn a few recipes! My fiancée and I had so much fun learning how to make pasta and tiramisu, and were so impressed by our own work at the end. It was also nice to sit and have a meal after and chat with the other members of our group. Carlotta was a wonderful teacher. Very clear, helpful, and kind. Would highly recommend for any skill level!"
What should I know before booking cooking classes in Italy?
When researching cooking classes in Italy, consider whether you’d prefer a shared or private experience: Group classes are ideal if you want to relax and socialize with other travelers, while private lessons offer more attentive instruction. Next, consider your time constraints—Italy cooking classes range from 2-hour pasta courses in central locations such as Florence and Rome to all-day experiences that tie in truffle hunting or wine tasting in the countryside.
What are the best tips for enjoying cooking classes in Italy?
The simplest way to enjoy cooking classes in Italy is to dress for the activity, choosing comfortable shoes you can stand in and sleeves you can roll up for kneading pasta dough. You’ll also get more out of the experience by engaging with your instructor, so don’t hesitate to ask for cooking tips and travel recommendations.
What Italy cooking classes are one hour or less?
Even if you're short on time, you can find fun activities in Italy to fit your schedule. Here are some of the best Italy cooking classes to enjoy in an hour or less:
What are things to do other than cooking classes in Italy?
There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Italy aside from cooking classes. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:
Are cooking classes in Italy conducted in English?
Yes, most cooking classes in Italy are taught in English by a bilingual instructor to cater to international travelers. While you can certainly pick up some Italian words and phrases from your teacher, you can generally expect to communicate with your guide and fellow students in English.
Are cooking classes hands-on?
Yes, cooking classes are typically hands-on—and that’s part of the appeal. Expect to work with your hands during a cooking class in Italy, whether you’re churning gelato or rolling out fresh pasta dough. If you’d prefer to sit back and watch your instructor cook, look for a demonstration-style experience.
Do you eat the food you cook?
Yes, most cooking classes in Italy conclude with a meal of all the dishes you made during the lesson. Depending on the class, you’ll get to taste the ravioli you stuffed by hand or the pesto you prepared in a mortar and pestle. Arrive hungry: many cooking classes include multiple courses from appetizers to dessert.
Do cooking classes include market tours?
Yes, some cooking classes in Italy include market tours, allowing you to shop for fresh seafood in Sicily or seasonal produce in Tuscany. Look for an experience that explicitly lists a market visit in the itinerary, and be aware that this typically adds an extra cost and an hour or two to the class duration.
What region is best for cooking classes?
It’s hard to go wrong among Italy’s hundreds of cooking classes, and each region offers its own scenery and cuisine. To learn the ins and outs of filled pasta, take a tortellini class in Bologna; for robust meat sauces paired with red wines, Tuscany is the way to go; and Sicily, Campania, and Liguria offer outdoor cooking classes with stunning sea views.
