Acqui Terme: Family cooking class with lunch or dinner

Summary

Make pasta or pizza together in Acqui Terme’s countryside kitchen

You’ll step into an Acqui Terme family kitchen to learn hands-on pasta or pizza making with a local guide, then share your meal under the portico with wine and homemade dessert. Expect laughter, stories, countryside views, and recipes you’ll want to try again back home — plus that warm feeling of being welcomed in.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled up the gravel drive just outside Acqui Terme, and I could already smell wood smoke curling from somewhere behind the house. Our host, Elena, waved us over — apron already dusted with flour — and introduced us to her family (her son was chasing their dog around the garden, which made my youngest laugh). It felt less like a formal cooking class and more like being invited into someone’s weekend routine. We chose the pasta lesson, though honestly I hesitated at the last minute because that pizza oven looked serious.

Elena lined up eggs and flour on the big wooden table under the portico. She showed us how to make a little volcano out of flour for the dough — my attempt collapsed halfway through and she just grinned, “It’s all part of it.” The air smelled faintly sweet from the dough and sharp from fresh basil she’d picked for our sauce. While we kneaded, she told stories about Acqui Terme’s thermal springs and how her grandmother used to make ravioli for every holiday. My hands got sticky; my daughter’s got bored after five minutes but Elena handed her a rolling pin anyway. There was no rush.

The best part was sitting down together at a long table outside while cicadas buzzed in the grass. We ate what we’d made — tagliatelle with this buttery sage sauce I still think about — plus salad from their garden, a glass of Barbera (Elena poured generously), and some sort of lemony cake for dessert. The recipe sheet she gave us is now crumpled in my backpack but I’m glad I have it. On the way out, she pressed leftover pasta into a container “for later.” I didn’t expect to feel so at home here — maybe that’s why it stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pasta or Pizza Cooking Class

• Introduction and ingredient overview
• Pizza dough stretching and oven lighting (if pizza chosen)
• Pizza baking and family-style meal
• Pasta dough kneading and resting (if pasta chosen)
• Making seasonal sauce
• Rolling and cutting pasta
• Cooking pasta and serving with sauce
• Enjoy meal with local wine and dessert
• Receive recipe to take home

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for children?

Yes, it’s designed for all ages and children are welcome to join.

Do I get to choose between making pasta or pizza?

Yes, you select either pasta or pizza when booking your spot.

Are local wines included during the meal?

Yes, hand-selected local wines are served with your meal.

Will I receive recipes to take home?

You’ll get printed recipes for whatever you prepare during the class.

Is lunch or dinner included after cooking?

If you choose pasta you’ll have lunch; if you choose pizza it’s dinner.

Are infants or small children accommodated?

Infants can join; prams/strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

Is this experience accessible for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your experience includes hands-on instruction making either fresh pasta or stone-baked pizza in Acqui Terme’s countryside, followed by a shared meal under the portico with salad, homemade dessert, and selected local wines. You’ll also take home printed recipes so you can recreate everything yourself later on.