Step into the heart of Genoese culinary tradition and discover the authentic flavors of Liguria in this hands-on cooking experience guided by a professional local chef.
In a welcoming and interactive setting, you will learn the secrets, techniques, and stories behind some of Genoa’s most iconic traditional dishes. This is not just a cooking lesson — it is an immersion into a culinary heritage shaped by sea, hills, and centuries of local culture.
Your experience begins with the preparation of traditional homemade gnocchi. Soft, delicate, and prepared from scratch, these small pillows of pasta are a cornerstone of Italian comfort food. To elevate them to true Genoese perfection, you will prepare the city’s most famous sauce: authentic pesto alla Genovese.
Using fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic, and high-quality olive oil, you will create a creamy, fragrant pesto following traditional techniques and proportions. Your chef will reveal the small details that make all the difference between a good pesto and an unforgettable one.
Next, you will prepare the legendary Focaccia al Formaggio, originally from Recco, a small village near Genoa. Made with delicate dough and filled with stracchino cheese, this specialty represents the simplicity and richness of Ligurian cuisine.
To complete your menu, you will bake traditional Canestrelli — delicate flower-shaped biscuits from Torriglia, a charming village in the hills behind Genoa. These buttery cookies are the perfect sweet ending to your meal.
At the end of the lesson, you will sit down with your fellow participants to enjoy the dishes you prepared, accompanied by a glass of local wine. To conclude the experience, enjoy a short walk to the city center and savor an artisan gelato in a historic ice cream parlor.
Exclusive Traditional Recipes E-Book Included
What truly distinguishes this experience is the exclusive digital E-Book of traditional Genoese recipes included with your booking.
Carefully curated for our guests, this guide contains authentic local recipes taught during the class, complete with step-by-step instructions, ingredient guidance, and preparation tips. The E-Book also explains the history and cultural significance behind each dish, helping you understand not only how to cook them, but why they are so important to Genoa’s identity.
This exclusive collection allows you to recreate the full experience at home, impress your guests, and preserve the flavors of Liguria long after your journey ends.
More than a cooking class, this is a culinary story you can take with you. Learn, taste, create — and bring the true spirit of Genoa into your own kitchen.
