Cooking Genoese Pesto and Gnocchi in Genoa: Villa Serra Class

You make the pesto in a mortar, the way Genoese cooks have for centuries.

A cooking class at Villa Serra di Comago, a 16th-century villa in Genoa, where you learn to prepare traditional Genoese pesto by hand in a mortar, then move to the kitchen to make gnocchi or focaccia with Chef Tiziana. The class runs about two hours and includes a welcome aperitif, wine, and the dishes you cook.

The experience

Two hours at Villa Serra di Comago means you arrive, settle into the 700-hectare grounds with its centuries-old trees and hydrangea collection, then meet Chef Tiziana in the villa's halls where she has laid out everything you need. A welcome aperitif comes first, then the lesson begins: you'll pound Genoese DOP basil pesto in a mortar (the traditional tool and method), and taste it warm with focaccia and homemade gnocchi. The pesto is the centerpiece. Making it by hand is what sets this apart from a cooking demonstration where you watch.

After the pesto, you move into the villa's grand kitchens to make either medieval-style gnocchi or Genoese focaccia, depending on what you choose. Everything you prepare gets tasted on the spot, paired with chilled local white wine. Chef Tiziana guides you through each step in English, and the whole experience stays small and hands-on: no assembly line, no standing at the back of a room.

The villa itself is the setting: built in Tudor style in the 16th century, it sits in the green heart of Genoa with formal gardens, a pond with swans, and the kind of quiet that makes cooking feel like something other than a class. The space works for birthdays and small groups, so you might find yourself in a private session or among a handful of other travelers.

What’s included

• Welcome aperitif.
• all ingredients and tools for making pesto, gnocchi or focaccia.
• chilled local white wine.
• the dishes you prepare, tasted on site.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Senior (80 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by with Tiziana, master of pesto with mortar, your local Cooking class

Is this one for you?The villa is reachable by public transit near Genoa, so you don't need a car or a driver to get there. Book in advance and Tiziana will have everything ready when you arrive.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What exactly do I make during the two hours?

You start by making Genoese pesto in a mortar with DOP basil, then move to the kitchen to prepare either medieval gnocchi or Genoese focaccia, whichever you prefer. Everything you make gets tasted with wine and focaccia.

Is this class private or will there be other people cooking?

The class can run as a private session or with a small group, depending on your booking. Chef Tiziana adjusts the pace to whoever shows up.

How do I get to Villa Serra if I don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available nearby the villa. You'll want to check local transit routes to Genoa before booking, as the villa sits outside the city center.

What's included in the price?

The class includes the welcome aperitif, all the ingredients and tools you need, the dishes you prepare, and a chilled local white wine to drink with your food.

Can I request different dishes if I don't want gnocchi or focaccia?

Tiramisu and Genoese pandolce are available upon request instead of the savory dishes. Let the villa know when you book what you'd prefer to make.