With Tiziana Cooking Class for Pesto , Gnocchi and Tiramisù

The best part of this Genoa cooking class is the traditional pesto alla Genovese. Tiziana teaches you to crush basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese, and olive oil in a marble mortar, then uses the finished pesto to dress homemade gnocchi. I like that the class gives you a real local technique, not just a quick demonstration. I also like the warm, personal setting with Tiziana and Roberto, where cooking leads naturally to conversation and stories about Genoa.

The food is beginner-friendly, and the meal includes focaccia, tiramisù, water, coffee or tea, and prosecco. The main consideration is the setting: Tiziana’s apartment is reached by several stairs, and a friendly dog and cat may be present, so this is not a good fit if you have a serious allergy to animal hair.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional mortar-made pesto: You prepare authentic Pesto alla Genovese with basil, a marble mortar, and local technique.
• Three hands-on dishes: The class covers pesto, homemade gnocchi, and original-recipe tiramisù.
• A meal in a private home: After cooking, you sit down with Tiziana and Roberto to eat what you prepared.
• Friendly for beginners and teens: Clear instruction and simple recipes make this a good family activity.
• Small group, limited availability: The class accepts a maximum of 12 people and is often reserved about 48 days ahead.
• Genoa logistics matter: It starts at 11:00 on Salita Inferiore di Sant’Anna and involves stairs in the historic center.

Why pesto is the star of this Genoa class

Genoa is the home of pesto alla Genovese, and this class puts that dish at the center instead of treating it as a minor side lesson. You work with basil and prepare the sauce in a traditional marble mortar, the tool that gives the class its strongest sense of place.

The point is not simply to make a green sauce. You get to see how the ingredients change as you work them together, and you can use the finished pesto immediately on the gnocchi you make afterward. That connection makes the lesson more useful than a stand-alone cooking demonstration. You learn a method, then taste the result at the table.

The class description refers to the basil as the finest in the world and identifies the pesto as authentic Pesto alla Genovese DOP. DOP is the protected designation connected with the traditional product and its regional identity. For you, the practical value is clear: this is a class built around Genoa’s signature food, not a general Italian menu with a local label added at the end.

Tiziana guides the preparation in English. Previous participants describe her instructions as clear and easy to follow, even for people without much cooking experience. That makes this a sensible pick if you want to take part rather than sit and watch.

A three-course lesson you can actually follow

The cooking begins with pesto. You prepare it with Tiziana, using the marble mortar and the ingredients provided at the apartment. The work is hands-on, but the recipe is approachable. You do not need to arrive with cooking equipment or special supplies because aprons, dishes, utensils, and all class materials are supplied.

Next comes the gnocchi. The homemade potato dumplings are prepared during the class and served with the pesto you have just made. This is a smart menu choice because gnocchi gives you a second task while also showing how Genoese pesto is used in a complete dish.

Tiziana and Roberto then serve the meal you helped prepare. The class is not finished when the last ingredient is mixed. You sit at the table, eat the pesto with the gnocchi, and have the chance to talk with your hosts. That shared meal is a major part of the experience, especially if you prefer food activities that include local contact instead of a lesson with a quick goodbye.

Dessert is classic tiramisù made from the original recipe. It is prepared as part of the class, so you finish with a dish that is familiar but still useful to learn at home. One participant even received extra tiramisù to take away, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of every booking.

Before or alongside the cooking, Tiziana serves homemade focaccia topped with authentic pesto. It gives you something to eat on arrival and adds another taste of Genoese baking to the menu. The published menu calls this the starter, followed by gnocchi and tiramisù.

What the meal includes after the cooking

The table service gives this two-hour experience more substance than its short duration might suggest. You are not paying only for recipes. You are also paying for the food served during and after the lesson, the use of the apartment, the equipment, and time spent with Tiziana and Roberto.

Prosecco is included, with one bottle offered for every three people. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over. Bottled water, coffee or tea, and the listed food are also included. A vegetarian menu is available, which is useful for anyone who wants to confirm a meat-free option before booking.

The meal is described as a brunch, and the 11:00 start fits that timing. You should plan the rest of your day around a late-morning food activity rather than a quick breakfast or an evening dinner. Since the entire class lasts about two hours, you will still have much of the day available for Genoa afterward.

The menu is filling enough to function as a substantial meal, but the exact portion sizes are not stated. If you have dietary restrictions beyond a vegetarian preference, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the standard recipes can be changed.

Tiziana and Roberto make this more than a recipe lesson

Tiziana is the cooking teacher, while Roberto adds to the social side of the visit. Their home setting creates a different mood from a professional culinary school. You cook in a personal space, then share the meal with the people who prepared it.

Several details make the atmosphere distinctive. Roberto has entertained visitors with World War I and World War II stories and family memorabilia in the home. He has also taken photographs and videos for participants during the experience. Those touches are not the main reason to book, but they can turn a short cooking class into a broader conversation about family, food, and Genoa.

Tiziana also gives suggestions about what to see in Genoa. That can be valuable if you have only one day in the city and want a local perspective alongside the meal. The class is especially appealing for visitors who want to connect food with place, rather than simply learn a recipe in an anonymous studio.

The hosts’ warmth is a recurring feature of the experience. Families with teenagers have found that the instructions are easy enough for younger cooks to follow, while couples and mixed groups have enjoyed the conversation at the table. If you are shy about joining a class with strangers, the shared meal may help the group feel more relaxed.

The apartment setting has real charm, plus a few limits

The meeting point is Salita Inferiore di Sant’Anna 16 in Genoa, and the activity ends there. The address is near public transportation, but the approach includes several stairs. Genoa is famous for steep streets and vertical neighborhoods, yet that does not make the climb easier if you have mobility concerns or heavy luggage.

You should arrive ready to enter a private home rather than a purpose-built cooking school. That means the surroundings feel personal and local, with family photos, memorabilia, and household pets. It also means the space may not have the broad work surfaces or formal layout you would find in a commercial kitchen.

The dog and cat are an important practical detail. The activity is not recommended for anyone allergic to dog or cat hair. If that applies to you, this is a reason to choose a different food experience, even if the menu sounds perfect.

Smoking is not allowed. The class is offered in English, and all required materials are provided. Confirmation is issued when you book, and the group can include up to 12 people. A group of that size may feel less intimate than a lesson for two or four, although the home setting keeps the experience more personal than a large restaurant class.

Is $162.03 a fair price?

At $162.03 per person, this is not a bargain cooking lesson. You should judge the cost against the full package rather than the two-hour length alone.

The price includes a licensed guide, food, prosecco, water, coffee or tea, aprons, utensils, all fees and taxes, and the meal you prepare. You also receive direct instruction from Tiziana and time with both hosts in their home. For a visitor who values local contact and a complete meal, the package can make sense.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to eat inexpensive pesto and gnocchi. Genoa has many places to order those dishes for much less. The reason to pay for this class is the process: you learn the mortar technique, make the gnocchi and tiramisù yourself, and then sit down with your hosts.

The average booking lead time is about 48 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Genoa dates are fixed, especially because the maximum group size is 12 and the experience may need a minimum number of participants to operate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for a food-focused couple, a family with older children or teenagers, or anyone spending only a short time in Genoa. The class gives you a local meal and a practical activity in one appointment. Families can split the tasks, and teenagers can take part instead of waiting through a long lecture.

It also suits beginners. Pesto, gnocchi, and tiramisù are approachable recipes, and the class is built around clear instruction. You do not need to bring equipment, and you do not need advanced culinary skills.

This is less suitable if you want a polished restaurant-style cooking school, a long technical lesson, or a quiet private meal. The class is social, the group can reach 12 people, and the home setting includes personal stories and conversation. If you dislike stairs or have an animal-hair allergy, you should skip it.

For a solo visitor, the social format can be a plus, but you should be comfortable sharing a table with other participants. For a family, the welcoming tone and teen-friendly recipes are strong reasons to consider it.

A practical plan for the day

Book the class for a day when you can reach Salita Inferiore di Sant’Anna without rushing. The start time is 11:00, and the address is near public transportation, but the stairs mean you should allow extra time.

Wear clothes that you do not mind cooking in, although aprons are provided. You do not need to bring utensils, dishes, or other supplies. If you have food allergies or need changes to the menu, ask before reserving because the published information confirms vegetarian options but does not list every possible dietary adjustment.

After the class, you finish back at the meeting point. Since the meal is served during the experience, you can plan a lighter afternoon meal. The activity lasts about two hours, leaving time for sightseeing, though the exact pace can depend on the group.

If your schedule changes, cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If the class does not reach its minimum number, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Tiziana’s Genoa cooking class?

Book it if you want hands-on Genoese food, a shared meal, and personal conversation in a private home. The mortar-made pesto is the strongest feature, while the gnocchi and tiramisù turn the lesson into a complete three-course activity. Tiziana’s clear teaching and Roberto’s stories add a human side that a standard restaurant meal cannot provide.

Think twice if $162.03 feels high for a two-hour activity, if you need a fully accessible setting, or if dog and cat hair are a concern. This is not the cheapest way to eat pesto in Genoa. It is a good choice for learning how the dish is made and spending time with hosts who enjoy sharing their food and city.

FAQ

How long does the cooking class last?

The class lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the experience start?

The experience starts at 11:00 am.

Where does the class meet?

It meets at Salita Inferiore di Sant’Anna 16, 16125 Genoa, Italy, and ends at the same address.

What dishes will I prepare?

You will prepare authentic pesto alla Genovese, homemade gnocchi with pesto, and homemade tiramisù using the original recipe.

Is food included before or after the cooking?

Yes. Tiziana serves homemade focaccia topped with authentic Pesto alla Genovese DOP, and you later eat the dishes prepared during the class.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, coffee or tea, and prosecco are included. Alcohol is provided only to people aged 18 and over.

Is the class available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is the class suitable for people with allergies or mobility concerns?

The activity is not recommended for people allergic to dog or cat hair. The apartment is reached by several stairs, so you should consider that before booking if stairs are difficult for you.