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.

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

You will learn to cook three dishes from all over the Italian regions. Then you will have lunch with an Italian family with good wine and other people from all over the world

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 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 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.

- 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.

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.

Learning to make pasta in Italy is almost a right of passage to the country. Join this private cooking class and learn to make pasta from scratch, along with tiramisu, at a local’s home for the ultimate Italian experience. Then sit down to your delicious meal with local wines and great conversation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn to cook fresh Italian dishes in the home of a local during this small-group, hands-on cooking experience in Chiavari. Join your dedicated host in their home and prepare a meal from scratch, which may include fresh pasta and a traditional Italian dessert. Then, sit down to the fruits of your labor paired with local wines and good conversation.

Get off the beaten tourist path and you’ll be welcomed into your host’s home in Savona for a private cooking class. Embark on a local market visit to find the freshest ingredients for your cooking class, then get to work making three traditional dishes. You’ll get personalized attention from your guide and enjoy the ability to ask plenty of questions while you taste your creations.

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.

Discover the secrets of the original Tiramisu in a hands-on workshop with an Expert local chef. In this engaging workshop, you will learn how to prepare the perfect cream and dunk the ladyfingers, following the Italian tradition. At the end, you can enjoy your masterpiece, savoring every bite of your sweet creation.

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

Immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Liguria with a delightful aperitif experience at the historic Villa San Giacomo, perched majestically above the Gulf of Tigullio. Under the guidance of a knowledgeable local host, learn to craft an authentic Ligurian aperitivo featuring freshly baked focaccia and aromatic Genovese pesto. The experience culminates in a relaxed tasting session where you savor your creations alongside a glass of exquisite local wine, all set against the villa's elegant backdrop and stunning sea views. This activity is ideal for food enthusiasts, couples, and small groups seeking an authentic slice of Italian culture.

For those who want to disconnect from the daily routine: Perfect for those looking for a moment of total relaxation away from the chaos and commitments, surrounded by nature and tranquility of the sea. For those who love to practice yoga and meditation in unique places: Ideal for fans of holistic practices who want to live an intimate and authentic experience in a suggestive and relaxing setting. For those looking for an exclusive experience to regenerate body and mind: A unique opportunity for small groups, couples or individuals who want a private and personalized experience of psychophysical well-being.

This isn’t a typical guided tour, but a glimpse into a daily ritual that still shapes life along the Ligurian coast. The 'passeggiata' is how locals slow down at the end of the day: stepping out for fresh air, a chat, or simply to see and be seen. Rather than explaining it from the outside, I share it as it’s actually lived. Santa Margherita Ligure is a place I’ve returned to over the years, and where my family has deep roots. This personal connection shapes the way I lead my walks: informal, attentive, and grounded in real familiarity with the town. We won’t rush from sight to sight. Instead, we take time to notice small details, follow the natural rhythm of the evening, and experience the town as locals do. For those choosing the “Italian on the Go” option, a gentle language guidance is also included, with simple phrases and conversation naturally woven into the walk, allowing you to engage more directly with the place. A small effort with Italian can transform your experience.