Cooking Classes in Lake Como

From learning how to make traditional Italian pasta, to beginning to experience the flavours of polenta, the cooking classes are an excellent way to learn a little more about the gastronomic tradition and culture of Lago di Como, and the Lombardy region.

In each of these experiences you will learn to recognise and recreate traditional flavours in the company of an expert chef. You will also taste all your creations and taste some of the best wines of Lombardy. Gastronomic experiences that you can't miss among the best things to see and do in Lago di Como.

In this encounter with Italian cuisine, you will learn the secrets of its authentic gastronomy from a local chef who will teach you everything you want to know from his home kitchen. For this experience you will visit a traditional villa located on the shores of Lake Como.

During the internship, you will learn how to cook a wide variety of appetizers, pasta and meat dishes, the strongest of the region's gastronomy. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to taste your own homemade creations. At the same time you will be able to enjoy the good local wine and at the end, you will taste a delicious Italian dessert.

The chef will give you all the tips and techniques you need to learn how to manage a complete Italian food menu. Moreover, this educational experience is adapted for all levels.

Interesting details

• Price: to participate in this experience you will have to pay around 260 euros per person.
• Duration: it can take up to 3 hours to complete the experience.
• Means of transport: the experience is completed in one location, but you will have to make your own way to the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: a professional chef will accompany you throughout the cooking class. The use of all organic and seasonal ingredients is included. You will be able to take home a recipe booklet with the preparations you have learnt.
• Disadvantages of this option: transport to and from the accommodation is not included, but you can request this service.

With this activity you must take into account that to get to Lake Como, you must land at Milan Malpensa Airport, and you will necessarily have to make a transfer to Lake Como, this is an experience that I recommend you to include in your travel itinerary, as soon as you arrive in this region of Lombardy.

In this case, to go from Milan to Como, you will board the train and then go to the region of Blevio by ferry. Once you get there, you will start the class by learning the true Italian style of cooking in a full day private experience.

Afterwards, in the company of a professional chef, you will be able to prepare a full menu of two courses, one main course and a dessert: homemade pasta and tiramisu. At the end of the class, you will have the opportunity to enjoy your own creations and taste traditional Italian wine.

Right after you finish sharing your meal, you can go for a walking tour of Como before returning to your hotel or accommodation.

Interesting details

• Price: you will have to pay around 320 euros to enjoy this experience.
• Duration: it is a full day tour which can last around 7 hours.
• Means of transport: transport by train and ferry from Milan is included.
• Advantages of this option: all the materials to be used during the class are included. Meal tasting and the support of the professional chef are also included. You will be able to take home the recipes to practice what you have learnt. It is private, meaning that only you and your group participate.
• Disadvantages of this option: this tour has a minimum number of people per booking and is carried out in groups of 2 to 4 people.

Inside a local's house in Como, this experience will take place where you can learn how to make fresh pasta and a real classic, handmade tiramisu. This is an intimate cooking class for no more than 12 people, so the attention is practically personalised.

In the middle of the class, the local will tell you all the tricks to rolling fresh pasta by hand, which is part of the Italian tradition. He will also help you create a couple of dishes while teaching you and telling you anecdotes about the culture and gastronomy of the Lombardy region.

The chef who will guide you in your class will be a cesarino, that is, a type of chef who preserves his artisan style of cooking very well, maintaining the traditions of Lombardy's regional cuisine. With the gastronomic selection of this experience, this class may well rank as one of the best things to do in Lago di Como.

Details of interest

• Price: you can experience this experience for approximately 110 euros per person.
• Duration: the class lasts approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: this tour takes place at the home of a Cesarino, so you will have to get there on your own, either by private car or public transport.
• Advantages of this option: you will always be accompanied by an expert chef. Everything you need inside the kitchens will also be included.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not a wheelchair friendly experience. Transfer to the venue is not included.

In this private class you will learn how to prepare classic dishes from the Lombardy region, in the company of a chef Cesarina who will not only invite you into her home to learn how to cook in the Milanese style, but will also make you feel at home.

Among the dishes you will prepare are polenta, meatballs, risotto, and osso bucco. For dessert you will be delighted with the preparation and tasting of the traditional tiramisu. The best thing about this experience is that when you finish cooking, you will be able to enjoy and share the meal with wine pairings and in the company of all the other participants.

Details of interest

• Price: you can participate in this cooking class for approximately 135 euros per person.
• Duration: your class can last around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: this activity takes place at a single location, so you will have to make your own way to the meeting point, either by private car or public transport.
• Advantages of this option: the ingredients are included to prepare the menu of various dishes, which you will be able to taste together with red and white wines from Lombardy. You will be given an apron and a shopping bag at the end of the class.
• Disadvantages of this option: transfer to and from the meeting point for the experience is not included.

If there is one thing that characterises Lombardy, it is the sheer quantity and variety of delicious dishes. Polenta and risotto are a couple of gems that are never left off the list of the best Italian foods, and they will be two of the dishes you will be able to cook during this class, as well as the exquisite fresh pasta.

In this hands-on cooking class experience, a chef will help you discover the best kept secrets to make fresh pasta like the authentic Italian "nonnas". In addition, you can ask all the questions and curiosities you may have about the preparation of each dish.

In the middle of the preparation of the pasta, your teacher will teach you the techniques to prepare and roll out the "sfoglia", which is nothing more than puff pastry. You will also learn how to cut it and firm up your sauce. Of course you will have the opportunity to enjoy what you cooked, so it's an activity you should do even if you are visiting Lago di Como in one day.

Interesting details

• Price: to discover the flavours of Como you will have to pay around 140 euros per person.
• Duration: you can spend around 3 hours in this cooking class.
• Means of transport: it takes place in a specific location, but you will have to arrive on your own, either by private car or by public transport.
• Advantages of this option: all materials are included, as well as the company of a professional chef.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not a wheelchair friendly experience. Transfer to and from the hotel or accommodation is not provided.

In this "Cook with a view" experience, you will have the opportunity to cook in one of the most beautiful and popular villages on Lake Como, which is none other than Bellagio. During the class, the chef will teach you how to make ravioli, tagliatelle and at the end, you will be able to make a traditional dessert.

The best thing about cooking at this place is that during the whole class you can also enjoy the views of the lake and the mountains surrounding Lake Como. It's a multicultural experience because you will also have the chance to sit at a large table together with the chef to practice Italian.

You will learn the secret recipes for pasta dough, and the tricks to make it even better. These cooking classes are ideal for you if you don't have any experience. After cooking the Italian dishes, you can visit the gardens of Villa Melzi. To appreciate the visit even more, I would include this activity among the best things to do in Como in summer.

Interesting details

• Price: you will have to pay around 250 euros per person.
• Duration: it will take you around 4 hours to experience this experience.
• Means of transport: this experience takes place in one place, but you will have to make your own way to the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: transport back to your accommodation is included as a courtesy.
• Disadvantages of this option: extra drinks and meals are not included, except for those included in the programme.

During this cooking class you will not only learn how to make some dishes, but you will also get to know the extent of the culinary heritage of Como and the northern part of Lombardy. This hands-on class in Bellagio will be different because it will take you into the kitchens of a family restaurant in the region.

You will prepare a good pasta dish from scratch, while a professional chef accompanies you and teaches you everything you need to know. Afterwards you'll have the chance to taste your creation, all in an open-air terrace setting, so it's a great option to do in summer, rather than including it among the things to see in Lago di Como in winter.

After finishing you will receive, in addition to the certificate, a recipe book and a bottle of homemade olive oil as a gift. You will also receive an apron as a gift for your participation in the activity.

Interesting details

• Price: you can get this experience for around 260 euros.
• Duration: it will take you around 4 hours to complete the experience.
• Means of Transport: you will be transported by ferry port van to and from your accommodation.
• Benefits of this option: includes some free gifts such as a recipe book, an apron and a bottle of homemade olive oil. Transfer to and from your accommodation is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: meals and drinks are not included other than those detailed in the package. It is not an activity adapted for wheelchair users.

Throughout this homemade pizza making class, the chef who will be your teacher will teach you how to prepare this traditional dish, in an artisanal way and using only fresh ingredients. The experience is practically personalised because you will have no more than five classmates during the training.

You'll love the way the professional baker will teach the workshop because you'll always find him informal and friendly. While you prepare the pizza, you can enjoy a glass of wine and a house salad.

You will also enjoy learning about the high quality ingredients used to prepare the pizza, most of which are bought from local producers. Of course, at the end you will sit down to enjoy the pizza you prepared with your own hands.

Interesting details

• Price: this experience has an approximate price of 150 euros per person.
• Duration: you will spend around 2 hours inside the kitchens.
• Means of transport: this experience takes place in one place, so you will have to get to the meeting point on your own, using public or private transport.
• Advantages of this option: you can choose the vegetarian option, but you have to let us know when you book.
• Disadvantages of this option: drinks and meals are not included, except for those detailed in the package.

Pasta is the queen of Italian cuisine, so in this cooking class you will learn how to prepare it together with a Cesarina, who will help you to discover your kneading skills and prepare this Italian delicacy.

This is a private class, so you will be able to ask your teacher anything you want and need while you are cooking. You will learn the secrets and history of the region' s most beloved pasta dishes.

Interesting details

• Price: you can pay approximately 160 euros per person for the experience.
• Duration: You will spend about 3 hours in the cooking class.
• Means of transport: you will have to get to the meeting point on your own, using a private car or public transport.
• Advantages of this option: this is a private class, meaning that only you and your group take part. The recipes and the chef's accompaniment are included. Tasting with wine and coffee is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: transfer to and from the hotel or accommodation is not included.

This activity is one of the most special of the cooking classes because you will learn how to make some of the traditional products from Lake Como cheese. Chef Luigi Gandola will teach you how to prepare his grandfather's and his father's cheese recipe.

In addition to learning how to make these two types of cheese, you will learn how to make the special Como butter, which is typical of this region and which accompanies many of the typical dishes of Italian gastronomy.

Interesting details

• Price: this activity has an approximate price of 280 euros per person.
• Duration: you can take around 4 hours for this activity.
• Means of transport: you will have to get to this place on your own, either by private car or using public transport.
• Advantages of this option: you can take pushchairs. Everything you are going to use in the kitchens is included.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not recommended for people with any kind of food intolerance or allergy. Drinks and meals are not included in this experience, except for those specified in the package. Transfer to and from the accommodation is not included.

• Be sure to determine if you have any food allergies and let your class provider know before you sign up for this type of experience.
• Be very hungry at each of the cooking appointments, because you will have to taste your preparations.
• Ask your teacher if you can bring children with you so that they can participate in the class.
• Wear comfortable clothes, shoes and cutlery - remember that you will be in the kitchen and there is a chance that you could get some of the ingredients on you.