Lucca: Hands-On Cooking Class with Pasta & Tiramisu

Summary

Try your hand at pasta and tiramisu in Lucca’s cozy kitchen scene

You’ll join locals in Lucca for a relaxed cooking class where you’ll roll out fresh pasta dough, laugh over aperitivo or wine, and learn the secrets behind real tiramisu. Kids can help too. Expect floury hands, new friends around the table, and stories you’ll remember long after dessert.

What’s the experience like?

I walked into the kitchen in Lucca half-expecting to just watch, but our host grinned and handed me an apron before I could even set down my bag. There was flour everywhere — not in a messy way, more like it belonged there — and the smell of coffee already drifting from somewhere behind the counter. “We cook together,” she said, waving us all closer. The group was small, maybe six of us, and I liked that nobody seemed to know what they were doing at first (except maybe her). Kids were rolling dough next to their parents, and there was this soft background chatter in Italian that made me feel like I’d stumbled into someone’s family gathering instead of a cooking class.

We started with an aperitivo — something light and fizzy that I tried to pronounce but definitely didn’t get right (our host laughed, which helped). She showed us how to make pasta from scratch. My dough was lumpy at first but she just shrugged and said, “It’s yours.” The whole thing felt less like a lesson and more like a shared joke about how serious Italians are about food. At one point, someone asked why pasta is such a big deal here and our host told this story about her grandmother making it every Sunday morning. It was quiet for a second after that — you could hear the wooden spoon tapping the bowl — then everyone went back to kneading or sipping wine.

Tiramisu came last, which meant strong coffee everywhere. The mascarpone was softer than I expected; I got some on my sleeve but nobody cared. We talked about where the name comes from (“pick-me-up,” apparently) while layering everything together. By the time we sat down to eat what we’d made, it felt like we’d known each other longer than just a couple hours. I still think about that first bite of tiramisu — cold creaminess mixed with bitter espresso — while sunlight came through the window onto our plates. Not sure if it was the food or just being there together that made it stick with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cook and enjoy Italian dishes

• Drink local wine or aperitivo
• Make fresh Italian pasta
• Prepare traditional tiramisù
• Learn dish histories while cooking
• Eat cooked dishes together

Top questions

Is this Lucca cooking class suitable for kids?

Yes, children can cook alongside adults and actively participate in the class.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available during the class?

Yes, vegetarian, vegan, and no dairy options are available upon request.

Is there gluten free pasta available?

No gluten free options are provided for this class.

Does this cooking class include drinks?

You’ll enjoy local wine or aperitivo drinks during the experience.

How many people join each Lucca cooking class?

The group size is small so everyone can participate comfortably.

Where does the cooking class take place in Lucca?

The class takes place in a cozy kitchen setting within Lucca itself.

Are snacks included during the experience?

Yes, snacks are included as part of your day.

Is this activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for making fresh pasta and tiramisu together with your host in Lucca’s kitchen space; local wine or an aperitivo to sip as you cook; plenty of laughs; snacks along the way; plus guidance from someone who really knows their Italian food traditions—no need for any previous experience.