Cesarine: Authentic Italian Cooking Class and Meal in Varenna

Immerse yourself in Italy’s culture with an authentic Italian cooking class in Varenna. Learn the secrets of iconic dishes, taste your creations, and enjoy local wines.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Varenna - Immerse yourself in a private cooking class at a local’s home, learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of Varenna cuisine and taste the fruit of your labour for lunch or dinner accompanied by local wine.
What's Included
  • Hands-on cooking class
  • Learn and taste 3 Italian recipes (starter, fresh pasta, and dessert)
  • Alcoholic beverages
Meal Options
  • Seasonal starter

  • Fresh Pasta - Sample Regional Pasta: Ravioli or Risotto or Gnocchi

  • Local dessert - Torta miascia or Cutizza pancake or Tiramisu or similar typical desserts

Additional Information

Dive into the heart of Italian tradition with this interactive cooking class conducted in a local household by a skilled Italian home chef. Uncover the hidden techniques behind the most renowned Varenna dishes and enjoy the fruits of your efforts over lunch or dinner, complemented by local wines.
You will be provided with a fully furnished workstation…

Location
Varenna
Enjoy this unique experience in a Cesarina's home. For privacy reasons, the full address of your host will be shared after booking. Please note that the location may be either in Varenna or in Bellano (approximately an 8-minute taxi ride).
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(45 Ratings)
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Sarah_n
Oct 22, 2025
Amazing experience. - Amazing! To be invited into a personal home was such a treat. And the view! Wow. Such an amazing host.
Review provided by Viator
Excursion07712197592
Oct 16, 2025
Memorable - Wonderful evening with Patricia in her home … not just the cooking but the wine and conversation were a really memorable experience. We loved it !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richiec269
Oct 13, 2025
Cooking up high in the mountains with an incredible view - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scenic25856367975
Sep 27, 2025
Great time making pasta and tiramisu with Patrizia - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joe
Sep 10, 2025
Driving up the hill is a cultural experience worth the effort! - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valorie_j
Sep 10, 2025
Highlight of our trip! - This is a must do! Patrizia was such a good teacher hostess. Her garden and home were such a delight to visit!
Review provided by Viator
Paul_g
Aug 10, 2025
A gem of an experience in the mountains above Lake Como - Be prepared to join a new Italian family during this one in a lifetime experience. Luca and Patrizia welcomed us into their home and made us feel like family. Also, making the pasta, pesto and tiramisu from scratch and then eating them were incredible and we learned a great deal about Italian cooking!
Review provided by Viator
Sofievendelboj
Jul 23, 2025
- Patrizia’s cooking class was the highlight of our trip! Her warmth, passion, and incredible knowledge made us feel right at home. We learned to make fresh pasta, sauces, and dessert from scratch, all while enjoying great conversation and wine. The food was absolutely delicious, and the whole experience felt like cooking with family. Highly recommended for anyone wanting an authentic taste of Italy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
372meghanav
Jul 20, 2025
- If you are even considering taking a cooking class in Italy—do not miss this one with Patrizia. It was hands-down the highlight of our entire trip. From the moment we stepped into her beautiful home, nestled among a lush vegetable garden with views that truly take your breath away, we knew we were in for something special. Patrizia is not only a phenomenal cook but an incredibly warm and generous host. She taught us how to make two types of pasta completely from scratch, and walked us through the magic of creating a tiramisu so simple, yet so unforgettable that I genuinely cannot wait to recreate it at home. The flavors were exquisite—pure, fresh, and deeply satisfying. She went above and beyond at every step. While we cooked, she served us a gorgeous Italian Pinot Noir and the most delightful focaccia to snack on (baked by her, of course). She brought out a selection of cheeses, shared her homemade pesto, and even prepared a tomato sauce for our pasta using her personal stash of tomatoes—just tomatoes, nothing else, and it was divine. To top it all off, Patrizia sent us beautifully written recipes afterwards, and even gave us thoughtful restaurant advice for our next day's trip to Milan. Her kindness, expertise, and passion for food made this an unforgettable experience. If you love Italian food, genuine hospitality, and unforgettable memories—this is the experience for you. Thank you, Patrizia! 💫🇮🇹🍷🍝
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dougde4343qj
Jun 29, 2025
The Heart of Italian Hospitality and Cooking - Our home cooking class with Patrizia was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Italy! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Patrizia guided us through the hands-on preparation of Paglia e Fien pasta, a beautiful green and white tagliatelle and classic tiramisu. What we expected to be challenging, especially making the pasta from scratch, turned out to be both fun and surprisingly simple thanks to her clear instructions, patience and passion for cooking. The entire experience felt like cooking with a longtime friend in her cozy, authentic Italian kitchen. Along the way we learned not just the recipes but also tips, techniques and stories that brought the food and culture to life. The best part was sitting down together at the end of the class to enjoy the fruits of our labor, a delicious homemade Italian meal. If you are near Varenna and want to experience the heart of Italian hospitality, don't miss a class with Patrizia. She has a gift for making you feel right at home while turning cooking into something magical.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $167
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).