Cooking classes

Pesto al mortaio: savor the Ligurian tradition

5.0
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Donata

La Spezia

Duration 3h

Max 6 guests

Spoken languages:  Italian, English, Spanish

Cooking class: learn how to cook traditional & innovative Italian recipes from a local Cesarina

Shared Experience
Your experience
  • Tagliatelle
  • Genoese pesto
  • Tiramisu

Come and experience authentic Ligurian life in our home in La Spezia.

The heart of the class is the preparation of pesto using a mortar and pestle, a symbol of Ligurian culinary culture: an ancient ritual, made up of slow, precise gestures that release the intense aromas of fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. During the cooking class, we’ll make homemade fresh tagliatelle together, step by step, and dress it with the freshly prepared pesto, for a simple yet flavorful dish. We'll finish the experience by preparing a classic tiramisu. In the end, more than just a cooking class, it will be a shared moment that takes you on a journey through the flavors of Liguria.

Total: €133.00

€133.00 
per guest

€67.00 per child

Reviews
5.0
3 reviews
My husband and I met Donata and her husband Claudio at her house. She taught us to make Italian ravioli in her kitchen. It was an authentic Italian experience and has been a true highlight to our trip to Italy. They are such a nice couple. Claudio played selections from his vinyl collection as we dined on the delicious food overlooking the mountain view. It was like having dinner with old friends more than meeting strangers for the first time. I highly recommend this experience.

Melody - October 2025

We met Donata near an outside market area in LaSpezia & she showed us where she purchases fresh fish, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, etc. From there we went to her favorite bakery & sample some amazing breads. Then we went to her home with her & her husband Claudio. They made Rich & I both feel so welcome & at home! We made home pasta, homemade pesto & a wonderful appetizer! We sat outside on their lovely terrace, spoke about what we all do for work, our families & culture! She served us homemade tiramisu - the BEST I’ve ever had! The ENTIRE experience was the BEST, it exceeded our expectations - we LOVED EVERY MINUTE of our time with Donata cooking & being with her & her husband!!!!!

Anita & Rich - October 2025

5 starts isn’t enough! This was the absolute highlight of our honeymoon! Our hosts were absolutely amazing and this was a once in a lifetime experience. Their house was beautiful and the food we made was authentic and fresh! We didn’t want it to end!

Eden & George  - April 2025

Where
You’ll receive the exact address after the booking
Image Profile
Donata
Cesarina from 2025Location: La Spezia    Languages: Italian, English, Spanish
I’m Donata, a Cesarina with a great passion for traditional cuisine. My home overlooks the wonderful Gulf of La Spezia, and from the panoramic terrace I joyfully welcome friends and guests, offering them an unforgettable experience that combines flavors with the beauty of the landscape. My specialties are focaccia, vegetable pies, homemade fresh pasta, and of course pizza, all prepared with genuine, carefully selected ingredients. In summer, I bring to the table vegetables from our family garden, offering the very best of the season. I am deeply connected to Ligurian and Tuscan cuisine, and among the experiences I love to share there is also the authentic mortar-made pesto class, prepared according to tradition: an experience that smells of basil and tells the true essence of our land.
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