Milan: Italian Cooking Class with Chef & Wine Dinner

Summary

Italian recipes hands-on in Milan chef’s kitchen with wine

You’ll step into a real Milanese kitchen and cook classic Italian dishes shoulder-to-shoulder with a local chef — no set menu, just what’s fresh that day. Expect flour-dusted laughter, hands-on pasta making, tips you’ll actually use at home, and a relaxed dinner with wine to finish it all off.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped into the kitchen in Milan when I caught the smell of fresh basil — not the supermarket kind, but the sort that clings to your fingers. Chef Andrea handed us aprons and grinned, “No menu spoilers today.” I liked that. There was this quiet buzz from the street outside, but inside it felt like we’d ducked out of time for a bit. We started on an appetizer — I think my focaccia dough looked more like a pillow than bread, but Andrea just laughed and showed me how to knead it right. It’s strangely calming, that rhythm.

The main dish was pasta — tagliatelle, made from scratch. Rolling the dough was trickier than I thought (mine kept sticking), but Andrea had this way of explaining things so you didn’t feel dumb for asking twice. Someone tried to say “parmigiana” in perfect Italian and got a full-on lesson from Andrea, who somehow made correcting you feel friendly instead of awkward. The group started swapping stories about their own cooking fails at home — turns out everyone burns garlic sometimes.

Dessert was tiramisu (I got cocoa powder everywhere). By then, we’d gotten comfortable enough to tease each other about who’d end up with the messiest apron. When we finally sat down together with glasses of red wine, plates piled high, it felt more like a family dinner than a class. There was this moment of quiet before anyone dug in — just forks hovering and that warm smell of coffee and chocolate hanging in the air. I still think about that first bite.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Learn to cook Italian dishes

• Arrive at professional kitchen
• Prepare Italian starter from scratch
• Make fresh handmade pasta
• Cook traditional Italian dessert
• Enjoy dinner with Italian wine
• Receive recipe cards

Top questions

Where is the cooking class held?

The class takes place in Chef Andrea’s professional kitchen workshop in Milan.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you’ll need to make your way to the kitchen yourself.

Are dietary restrictions or allergies accommodated?

Yes, special menus are available for allergies or diets if requested when booking.

What dishes will we cook during the class?

You won’t know until you arrive; dishes vary but include an appetizer, handmade pasta or gnocchi, and dessert like tiramisu or cantucci.

Is lunch or dinner included after cooking?

Yes, after cooking you’ll sit down together for lunch or dinner with Italian wine.

Can children join this Italian cooking class?

Infants and small children can attend if they stay in a pram or stroller.

Are drinks provided during the experience?

Yes, Italian wines and spirits are served along with coffee, teas, water, and welcome snacks.

How many people are usually in each class?

The group size isn’t specified but classes are hands-on and guided personally by Chef Andrea.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients and tools needed for three traditional Italian recipes made from scratch alongside Chef Andrea in his Milan kitchen; welcome snacks; natural and sparkling water; Italian wines and spirits; American coffee plus tea selection; recipe cards to take home; and a relaxed meal together at the end of class.