Milan: Small Group Cooking Class & Dinner in Local Home

Summary

Cook pasta & tiramisù in a real Milanese house with wine flowing

You’ll step into a real Milanese home for an intimate cooking class with a local chef—making fresh pasta by hand, sipping endless wine during a family-style dinner, and learning classic tiramisù secrets. Expect laughter around the table and recipes you’ll want to bring back home—plus that feeling of being welcomed like an old friend.

What’s the experience like?

Chiara met us at the old green gate — she waved from the window above before buzzing us in. Her place is tucked inside one of those Milanese courtyard buildings that look quiet from the street but open up into this little world once you’re inside. I could smell garlic and something sweet even before we took our shoes off. There were just five of us, which felt right — enough to laugh but not so many you get lost in the shuffle.

The cooking class started with an aperitivo (her word, not mine) — slices of cheese and salami, olives that tasted like they’d been plucked straight from someone’s backyard, and Chiara poured wine like she was topping up old friends. She showed us how to make fresh tagliatelle, which honestly looked impossible until she pressed my hands into the dough and said, “Just feel it.” The flour stuck under my nails for hours after. We talked about how everyone’s nonna does it differently — apparently there are family feuds over sauce in Italy. I tried to say “tiramisù” properly; Chiara laughed and corrected me twice.

Sitting down together at her long wooden table — plates warm from the pasta water, wine glasses fogged — felt less like a class and more like being invited to dinner by someone’s aunt. The tiramisù was creamy and somehow both light and rich (I still think about that last spoonful). When we left, Chiara handed us printed recipes with little notes scribbled in the margins. I keep meaning to try them at home but…well, it’s not quite the same without her stories filling the kitchen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class and dinner in Milan

• Meet host in Milanese courtyard
• Enjoy welcome aperitif and wine
• Learn to make homemade pasta
• Prepare classic Italian sauces
• Make traditional tiramisù dessert
• Dine on dishes prepared together

Top questions

Is this Milan cooking class suitable for beginners?

Yes, Chiara guides everyone step by step—no experience needed.

How many people are in each group?

The small group is limited to 6 guests for an intimate atmosphere.

What dishes do we make during the class?

You’ll prepare fresh tagliatelle pasta with sauces and classic tiramisù.

Is wine included during the meal?

Yes, Italian wine is served throughout both the workshop and dinner.

Where does the cooking class take place?

It’s held inside a typical Milanese courtyard home near public transport.

Are children or infants allowed?

Infants and small children can attend; strollers are welcome.

Do we get recipes to take home?

Yes, printed recipes are provided so you can recreate dishes later.

Is lunch or dinner included after cooking?

You’ll enjoy everything you cook together as a full meal after class.

What’s included

Your evening includes entry to Chiara’s Milanese home, hands-on instruction for making pasta and tiramisù, all ingredients provided, free-flowing Italian wine throughout the night, bottled water if you need it, plus a relaxed family-style dinner where you eat everything you’ve prepared together before heading out into the city again.