Participants learning to make pesto with fresh basil in a Ligurian cooking class.
Guests enjoying wine tasting during a Ligurian cooking class experience.
Chef showcasing fresh basil and mortar at Ligurian cooking class.
Elegant dining setup for Ligurian cooking class with focaccia and wine in a cozy, well-lit room.
Ingredients and tools laid out for Ligurian cooking class featuring focaccia and local wines.
Hands preparing traditional Ligurian pesto in a marble mortar during a cooking class.
Colorful Ligurian salad with focaccia and olives, ideal for cooking class enthusiasts exploring authentic Italian flavors.
Participants in a Ligurian cooking class gather around a table, learning to make traditional Italian dishes with fresh ingredients.
Freshly made pasta being mixed with pesto in a mortar, paired with a glass of white wine in a Ligurian cooking class.
Ingredients for Ligurian focaccia arranged on a table, including olive oil and flour, in a cozy kitchen setting.
Plate of fresh pasta with pesto, accompanied by wine and a mortar, highlighting Ligurian culinary delights.
Participants in a Ligurian cooking class learning to make pasta dough in a bright, modern kitchen.
Smiling group enjoying Ligurian cooking class in a cozy kitchen setting.
Elegant setup for Ligurian focaccia and wine tasting class with traditional tools.
Participants in aprons ready for Ligurian cooking class with ingredients on table.
Historic Ligurian building with green shutters under a cloudy sky, capturing the essence of traditional architecture.
Elegant dining area in Ligurian home with stylish decor and large windows, perfect for cooking class ambiance.
Three women joyfully preparing traditional Ligurian dishes with fresh basil in a hands-on cooking class setting.
Bright and elegant dining room setup for Ligurian cooking class with a focus on focaccia and wine pairings.
Spacious dining area for Ligurian cooking class featuring focaccia preparation and local wine tasting.
Listing ID : 57707

Activity

Duration2 hours 30 minutes
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtLigurian Riviera, Genoa Area
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, French, Portuguese
Hands-On Culinary Experience

Ligurian Cooking Class with Focaccia and Wines

Discover the ancient flavors of the Riviera through fresh pasta, homemade pesto, and DOP wines


This Ligurian cooking class invites you into an authentic kitchen setting on the Riviera, where you will prepare classic regional recipes alongside a knowledgeable local host. From hand-rolled fresh pasta to genuine Genovese focaccia, every technique taught here is rooted in centuries of Ligurian culinary tradition.

The experience begins with a welcoming aperitif that showcases the region's most beloved staples: real Genovese focaccia, bruschetta topped with homemade pesto and salted anchovies, and seasoned olives harvested from the Riviera. This tasting sets the tone for everything that follows, grounding you in the flavors that define this coastal cuisine.

The hands-on segment centers on fresh pasta, specifically the traditional cutters shaped using the iconic wooden instrument known as the guitar. You will craft the dough, work it through the guitar, and finish the dish with the pesto you prepare yourself during the class.

The session closes with a curated selection of DOP white wines from the Ligurian territory, presented with genuine passion by your host, followed by Italian-style espresso coffee and a digestivo from Genoa. No prior cooking experience is required, and the relaxed pace makes this suitable for all skill levels.

Highlights

Prepare authentic Genovese focaccia and taste it as part of a traditional aperitif spread.

Shape fresh pasta cutters using the historic wooden guitar instrument, a technique passed down through generations.

Make genuine Ligurian pesto from scratch and serve it over the pasta you have just prepared.

Sample a selection of DOP-certified white wines from the Ligurian territory, introduced by your host.

Conclude with an Italian espresso and a traditional Genovese digestivo for a complete cultural experience.

Learn directly from a local host deeply connected to the culinary heritage of the Riviera.

Itinerary

1
Welcome Aperitif

Arrive and settle in with a traditional aperitif featuring real Genovese focaccia, bruschetta with homemade pesto and salted anchovies, and seasoned Riviera olives. This tasting introduces you to the foundational flavors of Ligurian cuisine.

2
Pesto Preparation

Under your host's guidance, prepare a classic Ligurian basil pesto using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. This sauce will later be used to dress the fresh pasta you create.

3
Fresh Pasta with the Guitar

Learn to prepare fresh pasta dough and cut it into traditional shapes using the guitar, an ancient wooden instrument specific to this region. Your host will walk you through each step of the process.

4
Pasta Tasting with Pesto

Sit down to enjoy your freshly made pasta tossed in the pesto you prepared earlier. The dish is served as a proper meal course, allowing you to fully appreciate the results of your work.

5
Wine Pairing and Closing

Your host presents a curated selection of DOP white wines from the Ligurian territory, explaining the origin and character of each. The session concludes with an Italian-style espresso and a Genovese digestivo.

What's Included and Excluded

Included

  • Welcome aperitif with focaccia, bruschetta, pesto, anchovies, and seasoned olives
  • All ingredients for fresh pasta and pesto preparation
  • Use of the traditional guitar pasta-cutting instrument
  • Pasta tasting with homemade pesto
  • Selection of DOP Ligurian white wines
  • Italian espresso coffee
  • Genovese digestivo
  • Guidance from a local culinary host throughout the session

Not Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Additional food or beverages beyond the session menu
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuities

Important Information

Please read the following details carefully before booking to ensure this experience is the right fit for you.
Duration
The session lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
Meeting Point
The exact meeting point will be confirmed upon booking. The experience takes place in the Ligurian Riviera area.
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing suitable for a kitchen environment is recommended. No special equipment is needed, as all tools and ingredients are provided.
Cancellation
Please refer to the booking platform's cancellation policy for specific terms applicable to this activity.
Accessibility
This experience is rated easy and is suitable for participants of most mobility levels. Contact the host in advance if you have specific accessibility requirements.
Age Range
This experience is suitable for adults and older children. Younger children may participate at the discretion of the host and accompanying guardians.

Reserve Your Spot

Spaces in this small-group cooking class fill quickly, particularly during peak Riviera season. Secure your place to enjoy an unhurried, hands-on introduction to Ligurian culinary traditions.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any prior cooking experience to join this class?
No prior cooking experience is required. The class is rated easy and is designed to be accessible to complete beginners as well as more experienced home cooks.
What pasta shape will I learn to make during the class?
You will prepare traditional Ligurian pasta cutters using a wooden instrument called the guitar. This is an ancient regional tool that produces a specific hand-cut pasta shape.
Are the wines served during the class from the local area?
Yes, the wines are DOP-certified white wines sourced from the Ligurian territory. Your host will explain the origin and character of each wine as they are served.
Is this experience suitable for vegetarians?
The aperitif includes salted anchovies, which are not vegetarian. It is advisable to contact the host before booking to discuss any dietary requirements or possible adaptations.
How long does the full session last?
The entire experience, including the aperitif, cooking, tasting, and closing drinks, lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Will I receive any recipes or notes to take home after the class?
Please confirm with the host at the time of booking whether written recipes or reference materials are provided as part of the experience.
Ligurian CookingFocacciaPesto MakingFresh PastaLigurian WinesGenoa Food TourItalian Cooking ClassRiviera CuisineHands-On ExperienceCultural ImmersionDOP WinesSmall Group Activity
Last updated: 2025-07-10 | Product ID: ligurian-cooking-class-focaccia-wines

Activity

Availability

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Additional Information

Physical: Wheelchair Not accessible

Duration

2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages

English - Speaking Guide

Spanish - Speaking Guide

French - Speaking Guide

Portuguese - Speaking Guide

Additional Information

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Cancellation Policy

Select Date

Meeting Point

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

End Point

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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