Genoa: Pasta & Pesto Cooking Class in Chef’s Home

Summary

Make pasta and pesto in a genoa home with city views and local flavors

You’ll step into a Genoa chef’s home to learn pasta and pesto from scratch, with hands-on guidance and stories behind every recipe. Enjoy city views from the terrace as you cook, then share your meal with local wine and dessert. It’s warm, lively—and you’ll walk away tasting Liguria in every bite.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if you could actually make real pesto in Genoa, right where it was born? I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance, but there we were—climbing up five flights of stairs (no elevator, so wear comfy shoes!) to our host’s apartment tucked into the old city. The smell of basil hit me before I even saw the kitchen. Our chef, Chiara, greeted us with this relaxed grin and a big wooden bowl already waiting on the counter. She joked that her grandma would haunt her if she used a blender instead of the pestle. I tried saying “pesto alla genovese” properly—she laughed, probably because my accent was all over the place.

The view from her terrace is something I still think about: slate rooftops, laundry flapping between windows, that humid Ligurian air clinging to everything. We started by crushing garlic and pine nuts by hand—my arm got tired way faster than I’d admit. Chiara kept tossing in tips (“more salt!”) while showing us how to roll out picagge pasta dough. It’s messier than it looks; flour everywhere, sticky fingers, but somehow it felt like we were just hanging out in someone’s home rather than taking a cooking class in Genoa.

Lunch was loud and casual—homemade focaccia appeared out of nowhere, and someone spilled wine (red faces all around). We ate what we made: pasta with pesto that tasted green in a way store-bought never does, plus some kind of almond cake for dessert. There was this sweet liqueur at the end—I forget the name now—but it burned just enough to make us laugh again. Honestly, I left feeling like I’d been let in on a family secret more than anything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Learn and cook homemade pasta and pesto

• Meet local chef in Genoa
• Enter historic city center apartment
• Enjoy terrace city view
• Prepare Ligurian pesto sauce
• Make pasta dough with eggs and water
• Roll and shape pasta dough
• Cook and taste homemade pasta
• Enjoy Genoese focaccia and appetizers
• Taste traditional Genoese dessert
• Toast with local wine and liqueur

Top questions

Is this pasta & pesto class really held in a local chef's home?

Yes, the cooking class takes place inside a chef’s apartment in Genoa’s historic center.

Do I need any cooking experience for this Genoa class?

No experience needed—the chef guides you through each step.

Are meals and drinks included during the cooking class?

Yes, your booking includes all food and beverages: lunch with wine and dessert.

How do I get to the chef's apartment for the class?

The location is accessible by public transportation; details are provided after booking.

Is there an elevator to reach the apartment?

No, it’s on the 5th floor of a historic building without an elevator.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Please communicate any dietary restrictions before booking so arrangements can be made.

What dishes will we prepare during this Genoa cooking class?

You’ll make Ligurian picagge pasta, traditional pesto sauce, focaccia or savory pies, plus dessert.

Is this activity suitable for people with cat allergies?

No, it is not recommended for travelers with serious allergies to cats.

What’s included

Your day includes a hands-on cooking lesson making fresh Ligurian pasta and traditional pesto sauce inside your host’s Genoa apartment, followed by lunch featuring your creations along with antipasto, local wine, dessert, and even a typical liqueur—all food and drinks are included before you head back out into the city.