Home Cooking Class & Meal With a Local in Como

Discover the authentic flavors of Lombardy in the charming town of Como. This hands-on cooking class invites you to learn the secrets of northern Italian cuisine from a local chef. You’ll master the art of crafting a classic 3-course menu, from fresh starters to handmade pasta or risotto and delectable desserts. Savor the results of your culinary creations, accompanied by regional wines, in an intimate small-group setting. With the guidance of a renowned Cesarine chef, you’ll learn about the culinary traditions that make this region so special. What awaits you next in this flavorful journey?

Key Points

• A hands-on cooking class in Como, Italy, where participants learn and prepare a classic 3-course Lombardy menu under the guidance of a local chef.
• The class includes preparing seasonal starters, fresh pasta or risotto dishes, and traditional local desserts, accompanied by local wines.
• The small-group experience, limited to 10 travelers, provides an intimate and immersive learning opportunity to explore the flavors of northern Italian cuisine.
• The class is hosted in a private home, allowing guests to experience authentic Lombardy hospitality and learn the techniques and traditions of the region.
• The class location is near public transportation, although it is not wheelchair accessible, and guests are advised to arrive on time for the prompt start.

Overview of the Experience

This hands-on cooking class and meal in Lake Como, Italy allows travelers to learn and create classic dishes of the Lombardy region.

Over the course of the experience, you will prepare a 3-course menu featuring northern Italian favorites. They’ll start with a seasonal starter, then move on to making fresh pasta, risotto, or gnocchi for the main course. To cap things off, they’ll indulge in a local dessert like torta miascia, cutizza pancake, or tiramisu.

Throughout the class, participants can enjoy alcoholic beverages like local wines. This small-group experience, limited to a maximum of 10 travelers, is operated by the Cesarine network of chefs, providing an intimate and authentic cooking lesson.

Included in the Class

The home cooking class includes a hands-on experience where participants learn and taste three Italian recipes. Alcoholic beverages, such as water, local wines, and espresso, are provided throughout the class.

What You’ll Learn	What You’ll Taste	What You’ll Drink
Starter dish	Seasonal starter	Water
Fresh pasta	Ravioli, risotto, or gnocchi	Local wines
Local dessert	Torta miascia, cutizza pancake, or tiramisu	Espresso

The class is led by a chef from the Cesarine network, which is a community of home cooks dedicated to preserving traditional Italian cuisine. Participants can expect a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 travelers, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate setting.

Learning Classic Lombardy Dishes

During the home cooking class, participants learn to create classic dishes from the Lombardy region, including a seasonal starter, fresh pasta, and a traditional local dessert.

The class focuses on teaching students how to make northern Italian favorites like risotto, ravioli, and tiramisu. Under the guidance of a local chef, guests learn the techniques and flavors that define Lombardy cuisine.

From preparing the seasonal starter to rolling out fresh pasta dough and assembling the dessert, attendees get hands-on experience crafting a complete 3-course menu.

Tasting the 3-Course Menu

After learning how to prepare the various components, guests then get to enjoy the fruits of their labor by savoring the 3-course menu showcasing the classic flavors of Lombardy.

The meal begins with a seasonal starter, which could be a delightful antipasto platter or a refreshing salad.

Next, guests indulge in a fresh pasta dish, such as handmade ravioli, creamy risotto, or fluffy gnocchi, all made with local ingredients.

To cap off the experience, a traditional Lombardy dessert is served, which might be the rich and crumbly torta miascia, the savory-sweet cutizza pancake, or the beloved tiramisu.

The key highlights of the 3-course menu include:

1. Seasonal starter
2. Fresh pasta main course
3. Authentic Lombardy dessert

Logistics and Meeting Point

Guests meet at a central location in Como, Italy, where they’ll be provided with the private home address for the cooking class and meal.

The experience takes place in a private home, so guests won’t have to worry about finding the venue themselves. The location is near public transportation, making it easy to get to, though it’s not wheelchair accessible.

After the booking, the private address is given so guests can make their way there.

The small-group size, capped at 10 travelers, ensures an intimate and personalized experience.

Guests should plan to arrive on time, as the cooking class and meal will begin promptly once everyone has gathered at the private home location.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Travelers can cancel their reservation up to 24 hours prior to the class for a full refund. Beyond that cutoff, no refunds are provided.

This policy offers flexibility for guests who may need to change their plans, while also ensuring the chef and staff can adequately prepare for the class.

The cancellation and refund policy for this home cooking experience includes:

1. Cancellations made up to 24 hours before the class are eligible for a full refund.
2. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the class are non-refundable.
3. No refunds are given for no-shows or late arrivals on the day of the class.

This straightforward policy allows guests to book with confidence, knowing they can receive a full refund if needed, within the specified timeframe.

Sample Starter, Main, and Dessert

The home cooking class and meal features a tantalizing sample menu that showcases the classic flavors of northern Italy.

The starter course highlights seasonal ingredients, offering a light and refreshing introduction to the Lombardy region’s culinary traditions.

The main course features a freshly prepared pasta dish, which could be either ravioli, risotto, or gnocchi, all made from scratch and infused with the rich, creamy textures that define northern Italian cuisine.

To cap off the experience, the dessert course presents a delectable choice of either torta miascia, a traditional Lombardy cake, cutizza pancake, or the ever-popular tiramisu, each delivering a sweet, indulgent finale to the meal.

Cesarine Network of Chefs

The Cesarine network taps into a community of passionate home chefs across Italy, enabling visitors to enjoy the country’s culinary heritage through intimate, small-group experiences.

This network of local experts is carefully curated to provide authentic and high-quality cooking classes and meals in private homes.

Some key features of the Cesarine network include:

1. Expertly-vetted home chefs with a deep understanding of regional cuisines.

2. Hands-on cooking classes that teach traditional recipes and techniques.

3. Meals served in the comfort of a local’s home, fostering genuine cultural exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Wine or Alcohol?

The included alcoholic beverages cover water, local wines, and espresso. Guests are not permitted to bring their own wine or alcohol to the private home location, as this is not part of the experience.

Is There an Option for a Vegetarian or Vegan Menu?

Yes, the cooking class offers vegetarian and vegan menu options upon request. Guests can customize the 3-course menu to their dietary preferences, ensuring an enjoyable and inclusive culinary experience.

Are There Any Special Dietary Accommodations Available?

The cooking class offers accommodations for dietary restrictions, including vegetarian and vegan menus. Guests should notify the hosts of any special dietary needs when booking to ensure an appropriate menu is prepared.

Can I Purchase Any of the Recipes or Ingredients After the Class?

Yes, participants can typically purchase recipes and some ingredients used during the class. Many local hosts provide options to purchase items like spices, sauces, or specialty foods featured in the dishes taught.

What Is the Typical Size of the Cooking Class Group?

The cooking class is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 travelers. This intimate setting allows for personalized attention from the chef and a more immersive, hands-on learning experience for the participants.

Recap

This hands-on cooking class offers a unique opportunity to take in the culinary traditions of Lombardy.

Under the guidance of a skilled local chef, you will learn to prepare a classic 3-course menu featuring seasonal starters, fresh pasta or risotto, and local desserts.

The intimate small-group setting allows for a personalized experience, where guests can savor the flavors of northern Italy accompanied by local wines.