Genova: Cook and Enjoy a Full Ligurian Menu With Local Chef

Genoa, the vibrant coastal city in Liguria, Italy, offers a unique culinary experience that immerses visitors in the region’s rich gastronomic heritage. Join local chef Fabrizio for a hands-on cooking session and discover the secrets behind iconic Ligurian dishes. From creating pillowy gnocchi with fresh pesto to mastering the art of focaccia di Recco, this 4.5-hour experience promises to delight the senses and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the flavors of Liguria.

Key Points

• Participants learn to prepare classic Ligurian dishes including panissa, focaccia, gnocchi with pesto, and panera during a 4.5-hour cooking experience with Chef Fabrizio.
• Focaccia varieties include oil and salt, onion, cherry tomato and olive, and the specialty focaccia di Recco filled with stracchino cheese.
• Participants receive hands-on guidance in making gnocchi dough and shaping the pillowy dumplings, as well as crafting vibrant Genoese pesto from scratch.
• The cooking session takes place in a spacious kitchen in the center of Genoa, providing an authentic setting to immerse in Ligurian culinary traditions.
• Chef Fabrizio, with years of experience and a passion for cooking influenced by his grandmother, leads the Ligurian cooking experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Experience Overview

As described in the knowledge overview, this 4.5-hour experience allows participants to cook and enjoy a complete Ligurian menu with local chef Fabrizio.

The price starts from $152.33 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. There’s a reserve now & pay later option, and the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Participants will learn to make classic Ligurian dishes like panissa, focaccia, gnocchi with pesto, and panera.

The cooking takes place in a spacious kitchen in the center of Genoa, offering an authentic atmosphere for this culinary adventure.

Culinary Highlights

The culinary experience includes learning to make several classic Ligurian dishes. Participants will prepare panissa, three types of focaccia, gnocchi with Genoese pesto, and the traditional Ligurian dessert, panera. The focaccia varieties include one with oil and salt, one with onions, and one with cherry tomatoes and olives. Guests will also create the iconic focaccia di Recco filled with stracchino cheese. The menu showcases the region’s diverse culinary traditions, allowing participants to enjoy the flavors of Liguria.

| Focaccia Varieties | Gnocchi | Dessert |

| — | — | — |

| Oil and salt | Made from scratch | Panera |

| Onion | Served with Genoese pesto | |

| Cherry tomato and olive | | |

| Focaccia di Recco with stracchino cheese | | |

Learn to Make Panissa, Focaccia, and More

Although the Ligurian cooking class covers a wide range of traditional dishes, the hands-on experience focuses primarily on mastering the art of panissa, focaccia, and gnocchi.

Participants will learn to prepare three types of focaccia: one with oil and salt, one with onions, and one with cherry tomatoes and olives.

Mastering the art of three classic Ligurian focaccia: oil and salt, onions, and cherry tomatoes with olives.

They’ll also create the classic focaccia di Recco, filled with stracchino cheese.

Plus, the class covers making gnocchi and Genoese pesto from scratch.

Capping off the meal is the preparation of the typical Ligurian dessert, panera.

Preparing Gnocchi and Pesto From Scratch

After mastering the art of focaccia, participants in the Ligurian cooking class turn their attention to preparing gnocchi and Genoese pesto from scratch.

Chef Fabrizio guides them through the process, sharing his expertise:

• Making the gnocchi dough with potatoes, flour, and eggs.

• Shaping the gnocchi into pillowy dumplings.

• Blending the fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan into a vibrant pesto sauce.

The satisfying task of crafting these Ligurian staples by hand allows the class to appreciate the flavors and textures of the regional cuisine.

With Fabrizio’s encouragement, they savor the fruits of their labor in the cozy kitchen atmosphere.

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Creating Focaccia Di Recco

Fabrizio then guides the class in creating the famed focaccia di Recco, a regional specialty featuring a delicate, buttery crust encasing a creamy stracchino cheese filling.

He demonstrates the technique for gently stretching the dough until it’s paper-thin, then carefully layering the stracchino and sealing the edges to form a pocket.

The class follows along, their hands deftly manipulating the dough.

The focaccia bakes until golden, emanating the aroma of warm cheese and freshly baked bread.

Finally, Fabrizio slices the focaccia di Recco, inviting everyone to savor the perfect balance of crisp exterior and molten, gooey interior.

Enjoying a Ligurian Dessert: Panera

To conclude the Ligurian culinary experience, Fabrizio introduces the class to Panera, a traditional Ligurian dessert.

Panera is a simple yet delightful pastry made with just a few ingredients:

• Flour, yeast, and warm water form the dough base.

• The dough is then filled with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and pine nuts.

• Finally, the Panera is baked until golden brown, resulting in a crisp outer shell and a warm, fragrant interior.

Enjoying this classic Ligurian dessert alongside the other dishes prepared during the session provides a well-rounded appreciation of the region’s culinary heritage.

About Chef Fabrizio and the Cooking Setting

Chef Fabrizio, an expert with years of culinary experience, leads the Ligurian cooking session. His passion for cooking began in childhood, helping his grandmother in the kitchen.

Fabrizio previously ran two restaurants and a home restaurant named "Nonna Leo."

The cooking takes place in a spacious kitchen located in the center of Genoa. Participants can expect an authentic cooking atmosphere and an opportunity to practice their Italian skills.

The setting provides a relaxed environment for enjoying the Ligurian meal and sharing laughter and conversation.

Meal, Atmosphere, and Participant Information

Participants can enjoy the Ligurian meal in a relaxed atmosphere, sharing laughter and conversation. A glass of wine is included with the dining experience.

The cooking session offers an authentic atmosphere, providing an opportunity to practice Italian.

The experience is:

• Not suitable for children under 6 years and vegans

• Prohibits pets and smoking

• Rated 4.5/5 by customers, who highlight the positive experiences with Chef Fabrizio and the authenticity of the cooking, though some note the lack of provided recipes and pre-prepared dough as potential drawbacks.

The Sum Up

Participants will enjoy Ligurian culinary traditions during this hands-on cooking session with Chef Fabrizio. They’ll learn to prepare classic dishes like panissa, focaccia, and gnocchi with fresh pesto, as well as the region’s renowned focaccia di Recco. This experience offers a delightful opportunity to savor the authentic flavors of Genoa and develop essential cooking skills.

You can check availability for your dates here: