Sorrento: Italian Cooking Class & Family Lunch with Local Sisters

Summary

Cook classic recipes in sorrento with sisters rita & luisa using fresh garden ingredients and share stories over homemade limoncello

You’ll join Rita and Luisa in their Sorrento home for a true hands-on Italian cooking class—pick fresh ingredients from their garden, learn family recipes side by side, and share a full meal (with wine and homemade limoncello) around their kitchen table. You’ll laugh more than you expect and probably leave smelling like basil.

What’s the experience like?

Rita met us at the gate with a grin that made me feel like I’d known her forever. She handed me a sprig of basil right away—“Smell this, it’s from mamma’s old patch,” she said. The whole courtyard smelled like tomatoes and lemon leaves. Luisa was already at the table inside, slicing eggplants and humming something that sounded like an old song. I tried to hum along but mostly just laughed at myself.

We started the cooking class by wandering through their vegetable garden behind the villa. There were fat zucchinis, wild mint, even some stubborn cherry tomatoes clinging on (it was late in the season). Rita let us pick what we wanted for our antipasto—her hands moved so fast, I almost missed how she pinched off a bit of oregano for me to taste. Then came the welcome drink—a cold prosecco with tiny fried bites I still think about—and everyone loosened up, even the shy couple from Germany.

I’d never made ravioli before, but Luisa showed me how to press the edges just right so they didn’t burst in the pot. My first ones looked lopsided; she winked and said “That’s how you know it’s homemade.” The kitchen windows were open and you could hear scooters zipping past outside, but inside it was all laughter and flour dust. We cooked gnocchi alla sorrentina too (the sauce is sweeter than I expected), rolled eggplant for involtini, then sat down together for lunch with local wine. Rita poured limoncello after dessert—she makes it herself—and told us stories about her grandmother’s recipes. I didn’t want to leave that table.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on Italian cooking class in Sorrento

• Visit vegetable garden
• Pick local seasonal ingredients
• Enjoy welcome drink and canapes
• Prepare dishes with chef supervision
• Learn to make ravioli and gnocchi
• Cook catch of the day “all’acqua pazza”
• Enjoy full course meal with wine
• Have dessert, coffee, and Limoncello

Top questions

Is this Sorrento cooking class suitable for beginners?

Yes, Rita and Luisa guide everyone step-by-step—even if you’ve never cooked Italian food before.

Are vegetarian or allergy-friendly menus available?

Menus can be tailored for food allergies or dietary requirements—just let them know in advance.

Where does the cooking class take place in Sorrento?

The class is held at Rita and Luisa’s family villa in central Sorrento.

Does the class include a meal?

Yes, you prepare and enjoy a full lunch or dinner together—including wine, dessert, coffee, and limoncello.

How long does the day trip last?

The experience covers several hours including garden visit, cooking lesson, and shared meal.

Is transportation included?

No hotel pickup is provided but public transport options are nearby; the villa is centrally located.

Can children join this Italian cooking class?

Yes—infants and small children are welcome; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes a hands-on Italian cooking class in central Sorrento with sisters Rita and Luisa, a welcome drink with finger foods, time picking fresh ingredients from their own garden (seasonal), all ingredients for your three-course meal (antipasto, pasta or main course, dessert), half a bottle of local red or white wine per person, mineral water throughout lunch or dinner, plus coffee and homemade limoncello to finish around their kitchen table before heading out again.