Pesto Making Class Between Portofino and Cinque Terre
Grind, taste, and toast in a noble Genoese apartment in the heart of Chiavari
Inside a beautifully preserved 1900s building in Chiavari, this Genoese pesto cooking class takes you through the ancient art of making Italy's most celebrated sauce using a marble mortar, DOP basil, and time-honored technique. Guided by foodteller Fabio Bongiorno, you will leave with both the skill and the flavor memory of authentic Ligurian cuisine.
Chiavari sits along the Ligurian Riviera between the glamour of Portofino and the drama of Cinque Terre, making it an ideal cultural stopover for travelers exploring this stretch of the Italian coast. The historic apartment where the experience takes place retains the character of a traditional Genoese noble residence, with high ceilings, generous living rooms, and a kitchen purpose-fitted for cooking classes.
The session focuses on the preparation of pesto Genovese using the classical marble mortar method rather than a blender, which allows participants to understand the texture, balance, and patience that define the original recipe. Every ingredient used, from the Parmigiano Reggiano to the Ligurian extra virgin olive oil, is selected for quality and regional authenticity.
The experience concludes with a convivial tasting moment: a glass of Ligurian Vermentino, a plate of artisanal trofie dressed with the pesto you prepared, a focaccia-based aperitif with typical bruschetta, and a traditional Italian coffee. It is a complete sensory introduction to Ligurian food culture, suitable for solo travelers, couples, and small groups alike.
Experience Highlights
Learn inside a restored early-1900s Genoese noble apartment in Chiavari's historic center.
Prepare authentic pesto Genovese by hand using a traditional marble mortar and pestle.
Use only certified DOP Genovese basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, and Ligurian olive oil.
Receive hands-on instruction from Fabio Bongiorno, a dedicated Ligurian foodteller and culinary guide.
End the session with trofie al pesto, focaccia, bruschetta, a glass of Vermentino, and Italian coffee.
Located between Portofino and Cinque Terre, Chiavari makes this a natural cultural highlight of any Ligurian itinerary.
How the Experience Unfolds
Arrive at the historic building in Chiavari's centro storico and step into a noble Genoese apartment filled with period character. Fabio introduces the space, the story of Ligurian pesto, and the ingredients laid out on the kitchen table.
Each component of the pesto is presented and explained: Genovese DOP basil, garlic, pine nuts, coarse salt, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, and Ligurian extra virgin olive oil. You learn why each ingredient matters and what role it plays in the final balance.
Under Fabio's guidance, you begin grinding the ingredients in the traditional marble mortar using circular and pressing movements. This step requires patience and technique, and Fabio coaches you through every stage to achieve the right consistency and color.
Once your pesto reaches the desired texture, you taste and adjust seasoning under instruction. This is where the sensory learning deepens, as small changes in ingredient ratios produce noticeably different results.
The session closes with a convivial spread: trofie pasta dressed with your freshly made pesto, focaccia, bruschetta with typical Ligurian toppings, a glass of chilled Vermentino, and a traditional Italian coffee to finish.
What Is Included
Included
- 2-hour guided pesto-making class with Fabio Bongiorno
- All ingredients: DOP basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, Parmigiano, Pecorino, salt
- Use of marble mortar and kitchen equipment
- Tasting of artisanal trofie al pesto
- Focaccia and bruschetta aperitif
- Glass of Ligurian Vermentino
- Italian-style coffee
Not Included
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Additional food or beverages beyond those listed
- Gratuities for the host
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot in the Kitchen
Join Fabio Bongiorno in a historic Ligurian apartment and bring home a skill that no souvenir shop can offer. Spaces are limited to preserve the quality of the experience.
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