Cooking courses and classes on Lake Garda: experiences not to be missed
Learning the recipes of Italy’s culinary tradition, including its regional variations, is a wonderful experience that allows you to discover a place at its best, from the table to its history and culture. That’s why cooking classes on Lake Garda are increasingly sought after and appreciated, ideal for those who want to try their hand at national dishes and perhaps recreate them at home, giving family and friends a taste of Italian specialties.
For cooking lessons to be unique, it’s not enough to rely solely on expert chefs and cooks, ready to show you all the techniques and secrets of local dishes. The setting also plays a crucial role, so it’s best if they take place in historic villas, wineries, farmhouses, or even private homes. These magical and exclusive locations, rich in history, make the cooking classes on Lake Garda truly special activities where you’ll learn a craft and savour your creations. Let’s take a closer look at what they involve.
Cooking classes on Lake Garda: cooking lessons in villas for an exclusive experience
Do you want to cook in a unique and fascinating location? Cooking classes in historic villas can be a great idea. A cooking class in an 18th-century villa in Salò is perfect for preparing dishes in frescoed historical rooms or – if the weather permits – in a courtyard surrounded by lemon trees. Each session offers different dishes, from homemade pasta to local recipes. In Ponti sul Mincio, you can attend a cooking lesson in a historic residence with an experienced cook who will guide you through recipes passed down through generations. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn how to make fresh pasta, its filling, roll out the dough, and prepare the sauce, as well as create one of Italy’s most famous desserts: tiramisù. Lastly, with a multisensory experience led by a renowned chef on Lake Garda, you’ll prepare a traditional Italian starter, main course, and dessert. Once again, the setting is stunning: you’ll be cooking in a restored 18th-century villa in Salò.
Cooking lessons in wineries: between wines and tradition
Cooking courses in wineries are also a growing trend. Led by professionals such as renowned chefs and expert cooks, they take place in prestigious wine estates that produce local wines. In the hills of Bardolino, for instance, you can prepare a complete menu, including a first course (like tagliatelle, gnocchi, or tortellini), a second course based on the season, and the classic tiramisù (with the option to modify the recipes for vegetarian or vegan diets). The setting is splendid: an estate nestled in the countryside, surrounded by peace and tranquillity.
In Valeggio sul Mincio, you can take part in a cooking class to make the traditional tortellini of Valeggio (also known as ‘agnolin’). A local recipe deeply rooted in tradition, you’ll recreate it step by step under the guidance of an experienced cook in a vineyard setting. The advantage of a cooking lesson in a winery is that you can pair your dishes with a tasting of wines produced on-site. It’s the perfect way to fully appreciate the Benaco region from a food and wine perspective, perhaps also considering a winery tour.
Cooking courses in farmhouses: an experience with rustic charm
Farmhouses are another increasingly popular location for cooking classes. An agricultural, natural environment, ideal for those who love original activities in the midst of nature. In Manerba del Garda, for example, you can join a cooking class in a spectacular farmhouse near the town’s fortress. During the warmer months, lessons are held outdoors among olive trees, while in case of rain or in winter, the activities take place indoors in frescoed rooms.
Cooking lessons at the cook’s home: a cosy, family setting
For an intimate and cosy experience, nothing beats visiting an experienced cook who will open the doors of their home to teach you some of the best Italian recipes passed down through generations. The cooking class in the hinterland of Lake Garda, at Castiglione delle Stiviere, offers you the chance to prepare fresh pasta in one of the town’s historic buildings. Not only is it the cook’s home, but the building is also famous for hosting the town’s first inn. If you want to try other specialties, in addition to fresh pasta, you can opt for an alternative cooking class where the expert will also teach you how to make tiramisù. Finally, if you have children, the family cooking lesson in Desenzano is an excellent solution, allowing adults to learn recipes (like homemade ravioli and tagliatelle) while the little ones play outside in the available play area.
Why take a cooking course on Lake Garda?
Whether in a farmhouse, winery, villa, or a more familiar setting – such as the cook’s home – cooking courses on Lake Garda offer a unique experience to learn how to prepare traditional Italian and local dishes. You can put yourself to the test, assisted directly by the cook, learning the techniques, secrets, and origins of each dish. Recipes are often handed down within families, with an added secret ingredient or a unique execution method. Through cooking classes, you’ll learn these secrets and master the skills, allowing you to recreate the dish at home and impress your friends and family. A fun activity, ideal for a unique hen party, a team-building experience, or as a special gift for women.
Why cooking lessons are a great experience for families with children
Cooking courses, led by expert cooks, are perfect for families with children. They are activities suited for all ages, stimulating creativity, keeping everyone engaged, and focused on what they’re doing. They provide a sense of accomplishment for the little ones, allowing them to taste what they’ve made and learn something new.
NowMyPlace cooking classes on Lake Garda are unique and exclusive
NowMyPlace’s cooking lessons stand out because they take place in exclusive settings like historic villas, wineries, farmhouses, and the homes of expert cooks. Each location is carefully selected to offer guests a unique experience that engages all the senses, from taste to sight. Depending on your preferences and needs, you can choose one or more locations to enjoy activities that help you discover the Benaco region. You’ll roll up your sleeves to create traditional Italian and regional dishes: from Valeggio sul Mincio’s tortellini to lake fish, from handmade pasta to risottos and desserts, including the classic tiramisù.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend fun and precious moments with your partner, family, friends, colleagues, or even your children (including little ones).
In particular, NowMyPlace’s cooking lessons are perfect for:
- encouraging social interaction;
- strengthening family, friendship, or work bonds through a pleasant activity to enjoy together;
- learning about the history, culture, and traditions of a place through its dishes;
- testing your skills and culinary abilities;
- spending a relaxing part of your day with a unique and well-organised activity.
In our catalogue, you’ll find cooking classes suited to everyone. You can choose from courses in homes, farmhouses, villas, or wineries hosted in some of Lake Garda’s most beautiful locations, such as Salò, Ponti sul Mincio, Valeggio sul Mincio, Bardolino, Manerba del Garda, Castiglione delle Stiviere, and Desenzano. Discover all the experiences on Lake Garda NowMyPlace!
