Join Chef Maria in hands-on cooking classes in the heart of Bergamo. Chef Maria, a native of Bergamo uses seasonal and ingredients in her traditional recipes. Learn the secrets of cooking in the region called, “One Thousand Flavors.” Taught by her grandmother and trained in cooking school, Chef Maria shares her family recipes and techniques. Her classes are kept small to a minimum of four guests, so each cooker has her undivided attention. From antipasto, to fresh pasta, seasonal sauces, main courses and desserts, Chef Maria will have you enjoying the cuisine of Bergamo!
Bergamo Cooking Class – Classic, Pasta or Master
Our Bergamo cooking class starts out with an introduction on the local products of Bergamo, with an introduction, and then it’s into the kitchen where everyone cooks together. The first course is antipasto, and when in season, you will learn how to prepare the famous, scarola dei colli, a special crop of escarole from Lombardy that is considered a delicacy. Pasta or polenta follows including polenta targana, made with alpine cheese and butter then topped with sage and garlic. Then it’s onto traditional pasta, casoncelli, a ravioli stuffed with dry bread, eggs, Parmesan cheese, ground salami, roast beef, macaroons, raisins, freshly cut Williams pear, spices, lemon zest, garlic and parsley then served with melted butter, bacon, garlic, sage and grated cheese. Scarpinocc Parre, another hearty pasta, is known as the local lean ravioli, and comes from the name of soft peasant shoes in dialect. It’s delicate pasta dough is made with wheat flour, semolina, eggs, butter and milk with a filling of Grana Padano, bread crumbs, parsley, butter, salt, eggs, garlic, spices and milk.
Chef Maria will share with you her recipe for the prized tea cake called donizetti. This soft ring-shaped cake is made with flour, eggs, sugar, butter and yeast along with pineapple, candied apricots, maraschino and vanilla. Another traditional cake is the turta de trei, or the cake of Treviglio, delicately flavored with a filling of almonds, butter, eggs and sugar filling.
Everyone enjoys the foods that were prepared in the cooking class with a toast of Lombardy’s famous Valcalepio DOC red -Merlot and Cabernet or Pinot Grigio. The menu includes an antipasto, pasta and sauce or main course and a dessert.
Tie on your apron and let’s get cooking with Chef Maria!
Menus include Classic, preparing three regional recipes or Pasta, preparing three pastas.
Program Includes:
- Classic Cooking Class, Hands-on cooking class including the preparation of a three-course menu: antipasto, first course or second course, and dessert.
- Pasta Workshop, Hands-on cooking class preparing three pastas and sauces.
- Lunch/ Dinner follows on the foods prepared in class. A toast of local wine included, with additional wines, beverages, after-dinner liqueur and caffè available at a surcharge.
- Recipe booklet and cooking diploma.
Program Price:
Classic Cooking Class $255 per person, based on minimum 2 people.
Pasta Workshop $295 per person, based on minimum 2 people.
For Single Guests: If you are traveling on your own, please call us for the best group price. We are happy to welcome you into an already scheduled group.
Morning Classes start at 10am & Afternoon Classes start at 4:00pm.
*Friends or family members in your group, who are not cooking, and want to join for lunch or dinner following the class, need to reserve in advance. Call to inquire about menus and pricing
*Please note: One-day cooking classes do not include transportation, accommodations, or any other excursions. If you would like to add on transfers to and from your hotel or cruise ship port ~ please let us know your group size and we will be happy to reserve transfers for you. Transfers are an extra cost.
