Exclusive Private Group Cooking & Meal in Varenna by Cesarine
Description
Immerse yourself in Italy's culture with this hands-on cooking class held in a local home and led by an expert Italian home cook. Learn the secrets of the most iconic Varenna dishes and taste the fruit of your labour for lunch or dinner with local wines included. You'll have a fully equipped workstation with utensils and ingredients and your local host will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic Varenna recipes (starter, fresh pasta and dessert) handed down by generations of mammas and nonnas. After the class, sit down at the table with your Italian family and taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of local wines. This experience is held by Cesarine, Italy’s oldest network of home cooks and wine experts. Cesarine are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences. Every host is reviewed for authentic culinary traditions.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
Reviews(50)
We really enjoyed Monica. She was engaged and very friendly.
Monica was fabulous! Very welcoming in her beautiful home. We cooked a delicious pasta meal. Would definitely recommend
Patrizia was absolutely wonderful! We had such a great experience in her home learning her recipes. Her home was so beautiful. My son and I could not have asked for a more memorable experience. I’m so glad we did this and I highly recommend it.
Our experience with Annamaria through Cesarine was one of the highlights of our time near Lake Como. We first met her at the markets near Varenna, where she walked us through the stalls and explained where many of the ingredients came from. It was fascinating to hear about the farmers, the cheeses, and how the seasons shape what people cook in this region. After the market visit, she welcomed us into her home. She offered wine, cheese, and other fresh foods and immediately made us feel comfortable. Her home is beautiful, and her two dogs added to the warm, relaxed atmosphere. During the cooking portion, she carefully explained the ingredients and techniques as we made fresh pasta together with a simple tomato basil sauce. She also prepared a handmade tiramisu that was incredible. Throughout the experience she shared stories about Italian food traditions and told us about her hometown of Milan, where we will be staying soon. She also went above and beyond after the class by sharing a recipe file with us and offering thoughtful recommendations for the rest of our stay in the area. By the end of the afternoon, we truly felt like guests in her home rather than participants in a class. It felt as if a family member was teaching us a treasured recipe. If you’re visiting Lake Como and want an authentic and welcoming experience, we would highly recommend spending time with Annamaria.
Amazing experience! Patrizia was so kind and patient (even when we arrived late)! The food was amazing and we learned so much about local culture. Highly recommend!
Amazing! To be invited into a personal home was such a treat. And the view! Wow. Such an amazing host.
Wonderful evening with Patricia in her home … not just the cooking but the wine and conversation were a really memorable experience. We loved it !!
Patrizia was incredible! She was very welcoming and shared her knowledge with me while we handmade Tagliatelle, Tortelloni and a Strawberry tarte for dessert. She gave off a very warm feeling, the feeling you get when you go to your relatives' house to make a celebratory family meal. It was one of the best life experiences I've had. Thank you Patrizia! I will definitely recommend you to everyone!
My wife and I had a great time making pasta and tiramisu with Patrizia with her husband Luca there providing engaging conversation while serving wine and charcuterie. Patrizia is a great instructor explaining both how to prepare the food and the benefits of the fresh ingredients from her garden. The conversation was enjoyable as we learned about the Pradello village, high in the hills above Bellano where this welcoming couple lives.
Patricia, her garden, her home, her kitchen, and her cooking were all superb. Communicating with TripAdvisor through Viator, WhatsApp, SMS text, eMail and their dedicated app were ridiculously confusing and unnecessary. We didn't have a definite location until an hour before our class.
