Verona: Cooking Class with Pasta, Risotto & Tiramisù

Summary

Cook pasta risotto and tiramisù in Verona’s old kitchens with local chefs

You’ll join locals in a historic Verona kitchen for hands-on lessons making fresh pasta, creamy risotto with Amarone wine, and classic tiramisù. Taste everything you cook over lunch with new friends—and leave with recipes (and maybe some flour on your shirt) so you can bring a bit of Italy home.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if you could actually make pasta from scratch—like, the real kind Italians eat at home? I signed up for this Verona cooking class mostly out of curiosity (and maybe hunger), but walking into that old kitchen in the city center felt like stepping into someone’s family story. The chef—Francesca—greeted us with a glass of local wine and a smile that said she’d seen plenty of nervous beginners before. There was flour everywhere already, which somehow made me feel less worried about messing up.

We started kneading dough for tagliatelle, and I realized my arms aren’t as strong as I thought. Francesca showed me how to roll it thin enough to see the light through—she tapped my shoulder when I got it right, which was oddly satisfying. The smell of simmering tomato sauce drifted over from another table, and someone joked about bottling it as perfume (honestly, not a bad idea). Then came risotto—stirring slowly, adding broth bit by bit while she explained why Veronese rice is different. My favorite part? Tasting the Amarone wine we used in the sauce. It was rich and warm, almost like velvet in your mouth.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much with strangers over trying to pronounce “tiramisù” properly (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin—probably butchered it). Making dessert felt less intimidating after all that pasta; layering coffee-soaked biscuits and mascarpone while chatting about where everyone was from made the kitchen feel small and friendly. By the end, we sat down together to eat what we’d made—wine glasses clinking, people trading stories about their own families’ recipes back home. I still think about that first bite of tiramisù: sweet, cold, just a little bitter from the espresso. You know how some flavors stick with you?

We left with recipe books tucked under our arms and flour on our sleeves. Walking out into Verona’s streets after lunch felt different—I kept looking at restaurant menus thinking “I could make that now.” Not perfectly maybe, but close enough.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on Italian cooking class

• Arrive at historic Verona kitchen
• Receive chef-quality apron and tools
• Learn pasta kneading and shaping
• Prepare traditional risotto with local rice
• Make classic tiramisù dessert
• Enjoy water and wine during class
• Receive Italian recipe cookbook

Top questions

How long does the Verona cooking class last?

The class typically lasts around 3-4 hours including meal time at the end.

Is lunch included in the cooking class?

Yes, you’ll enjoy everything you prepare for lunch along with wine and water.

Are drinks provided during the cooking class?

Water and wine are included throughout the activity.

What dishes do you make in this Verona cooking class?

You’ll make homemade pasta with seasonal sauces, traditional risotto (often Risotto all'Amarone), and tiramisù.

Is there an age limit for participants?

Children under 14 years old are not allowed in this activity; underage customers must be accompanied by an adult.

Does this class accommodate dietary restrictions?

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking so they can be accommodated if possible.

Where is the cooking school located?

The class is held inside a historic culinary school in central Verona.

Do I get recipes to take home after the class?

Yes, you’ll receive an Italian cookbook with recipes and tips prepared at the school.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for homemade pasta, risotto (with Amarone wine if available), and tiramisù; expert guidance from local chefs; bottled water; welcome aperitif with wine; full lunch paired with more wine; plus an Italian recipe book to take home—all set inside a historic kitchen in central Verona.