Ligurian Cooking Class in Genoa: Make 6 Local Dishes

Cook six Ligurian dishes and eat them all in one afternoon

A 4.5-hour cooking class in central Genoa where you prepare an entire Ligurian menu (panissa, three focaccia varieties, gnocchi with pesto, focaccia di Recco and panera) under the guidance of chef Fabrizio, then sit down to eat everything you've made with wine. The class runs in English or Italian and welcomes children from age 6. All ingredients and utensils are provided.

The experience

You'll spend the afternoon in a spacious kitchen in Genoa's center learning to make six dishes that define Ligurian cooking. Chef Fabrizio, who ran restaurants for years and learned to cook as a child in his grandmother's kitchen, walks you through each one step by step. You start with panissa (fried polenta bites seasoned with lemon, oil and pepper), then move to three types of focaccia: one with oil and salt, one with onions, one with cherry tomatoes and olives. He teaches you how to make the pesto and gnocchi from scratch, then shows you focaccia di Recco, a thin, cheese-filled specialty, and finishes with panera, a Ligurian dessert.

All the ingredients and tools you need are there waiting. You're not watching a demonstration. You're making each dish with your hands while Fabrizio guides you through the technique. Once everything is done, you sit down together to eat the full menu you've prepared, accompanied by wine. The class is built around conversation and laughter, not rushing through a checklist.

What’s included

• All ingredients and cooking utensils.
• instruction from chef Fabrizio in English or Italian.
• a glass of wine served with the meal.
• the complete Ligurian menu you prepare, eaten together at the end of the class.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Itinera Experiences

Is this one for you?The 4.5-hour duration means you can fit this into a single afternoon or morning and still have time for other plans in Genoa, though the class itself is unhurried. You're not racing through the cooking or the meal.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I learn to make in this class?

You prepare six dishes: panissa, three different types of focaccia, gnocchi with Genoese pesto, focaccia di Recco filled with stracchino cheese, and panera for dessert. Each one is a typical Ligurian dish, and you make both the components and the finished plates.

How long does the class run?

The class lasts 4.5 hours from start to finish, including the time you spend cooking and then eating the meal you've prepared together.

What's included in the price?

The class includes all ingredients and utensils, instruction from chef Fabrizio in English or Italian, and a glass of wine to accompany the meal you eat at the end.

Where in Genoa does the class take place?

The class is held in a spacious kitchen in the center of Genoa, within easy reach of public transportation.