Pesto, Gnocchi & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Genoa

A marble mortar and the world's finest basil teach you how pesto is actually made.

A hands-on cooking class in a 17th-century Genoese palace where you prepare authentic Pesto alla Genovese using a traditional marble mortar and the finest basil, then make gnocchi and tiramisu from scratch with your guide Tiziana, a certified pesto expert. The class runs two hours and ends with a seated meal of everything you've cooked, plus focaccia and prosecco. All materials and aprons are provided. Vegetarian options are available.

The experience

You'll work with a marble mortar, the traditional tool for pesto, and Tiziana will walk you through the technique that makes Pesto alla Genovese DOP taste the way it's supposed to. After the pesto is ready, you use it to dress homemade gnocchi that you and Tiziana make together. The class wraps with tiramisu, built from scratch in the original recipe. Everything happens in a 17th-century palace, which is where the class is held.

Once the cooking is done, you sit down to eat. The meal includes the pesto, gnocchi and tiramisu you've just made, plus homemade focaccia topped with pesto that Tiziana has prepared beforehand. Prosecco comes with the meal: one bottle for every three people. Coffee or tea rounds it out. The whole experience, from the first prep to the last bite, takes two hours.

Tiziana speaks English and Italian. You don't need to bring anything. All equipment, utensils, aprons and ingredients are provided. A vegetarian menu is available if you need it. The class sits in the centro antico, Genoa's old town. Reaching it involves climbing about 100 meters of steep street (Salita Inferiore Sant'Anna). If that climb is difficult for you, contact Tiziana beforehand. She can suggest alternatives or discuss what might work for your situation.

What’s included

• All cooking equipment, utensils and aprons.
• ingredients for pesto, gnocchi and tiramisu.
• the meal itself (everything you make plus focaccia and prosecco).
• coffee or tea.
• bottled water.
• Tiziana's guidance in English or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 18:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 12

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Stroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by with Tiziana, master of pesto with mortar, your local Cooking class

Is this one for you?Book this class if you want hands-on instruction in the technique that makes authentic pesto, not just a recipe: the marble mortar and Tiziana's expertise as a certified pesto expert are what set this apart from a generic cooking lesson.

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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); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly do I make during the two hours?

You prepare Pesto alla Genovese using a marble mortar and the finest basil, then make gnocchi from scratch and tiramisu in the original recipe. All three dishes become part of the meal you eat at the end of the class.

Is the meal included, or do I pay separately for food?

The meal is included. You eat everything you've cooked (the pesto, gnocchi and tiramisu) along with focaccia, prosecco and coffee or tea. One bottle of prosecco is shared among every three people.

Do I need cooking experience to join?

No experience is required. Tiziana guides you through each step, and all materials, tools and aprons are provided. The class is designed for anyone who wants to learn.

What's the climb like to reach the palace?

The class is in Genoa's old town, and you climb about 100 meters of steep street to get there. If stairs or steep terrain are difficult for you, contact Tiziana in advance. She can discuss options or suggest a route that works for your mobility.

Can I choose a vegetarian menu?

Yes, a vegetarian menu is available. Let the operator know when you book if you need it.