If you want Italian food lessons without the intimidation, this is a great match. I loved how easy the class feels—you cook together step by step, even if you have never weighed flour—and how the tasting is built right in, so the night ends with you sharing what you made. Chef Ilaria keeps things light and friendly, but there is a possible drawback: the workshop is not for kids or wheelchair users, and the experience runs on a strict finish time.

Here’s the overall vibe: you start with sparkling wine and snacks in the cozy dining room, then you cook in a bright, professional kitchen, and finally you sit down as a group for an hour of tasting with included wine. You also get real conversation value here, with food being the bridge—recipes, preferences, and even travel talk, guided through the food.

Key highlights at a glance

• Cooking plus conversation: you chat while you cook, then eat together.
• Sparkling-wine start: a welcome drink comes before you touch ingredients.
• 3–4 appetizers and 1 sweet: you leave with several new recipes, not just one.
• Wine included with tasting: a bottle for every four people.
• Chef Ilaria’s hands-on guidance: friendly, clear instruction with proper Italian technique.
• Healthy and vegan-aware options: the class can include alternatives without turning it into a separate experience.

Where You Meet: Chef and the City, Bright Windows, Center Bell

This class takes place at CHEF AND THE CITY, a professional cooking workshop on Laura Ciceri Visconti Street in Lombardy. The location is easy to spot: three large windows and big red signs. Once you’re outside the main door, you ring the bell on the center window to enter—there’s no need to worry about finding your way through an apartment building.

I like meeting places like this because it feels purposeful. You’re not drifting between cafes or looking for a random kitchen somewhere above a shop. Instead, you’re walking into a space designed for cooking, with a setup that makes it natural to relax and focus.

One practical tip: bring a hair tie. It sounds small, but it’s the kind of detail that keeps the whole experience moving smoothly once you’re in the kitchen.

Before the Cooking: Aperitif Welcome With Sparkling Wine and Snacks

You don’t rush straight into chopping. You start in the cozy dining room while everyone gathers. There’s a small welcome buffet with sweet and savory snacks, plus tea and coffee, soft drinks, and—most importantly—a glass of sparkling wine.

This first part matters more than you might think. It sets the tone. You can settle in, meet your tablemates, and get comfortable asking questions before the chef starts focusing on technique. It also makes the class feel like an aperitif experience, not just a cooking lesson.

From what you can expect, the group energy is part of the value. The class isn’t only about learning recipes; it’s also about spending two and a half hours in relaxed company where food becomes the conversation starter.

What You Actually Cook: 3–4 International Appetizers and One Sweet

The cooking portion is built around making multiple appetizers, not one long project. You’ll cook about 30 minutes, take a break while the kitchen resets for the next recipes, and then cook another 30 minutes.

The menu approach is also a good sign for variety. You’ll prepare 3 or 4 savory appetizers, plus 1 sweet treat. And the whole point is that these aren’t basic repeat dishes meant to be learned by watching from afar. You’re making special appetizers from different parts of the world, with a clear focus on teaching you what makes them work.

A key detail: you’re not expected to already know how to cook Italian food. The guidance is hands-on, and the staff helps you along so you can participate confidently even if cooking has never been your strength. One person noted they’re not a big cooking fan, and still had a great time doing it with Ilaria and the other guests—so you can take that as a promise that the format is designed for real beginners.

The technique vibe: friendly, but serious about Italian cooking

Even with an easy, social tone, you should expect some real standards. One nice thread across feedback is that Chef Ilaria is both friendly and fun, but also fairly strict about Italian cooking rules. That’s a good balance. It means you’ll learn something transferable—how to think about flavor and process—not just how to assemble a single dish.

The Kitchen Rhythm: Breaks, Reset Time, and How That Helps

After the first cooking block, the kitchen gets reset and you pause. That break isn’t wasted time. It helps the workflow stay organized in a professional setting, and it gives your group a chance to catch breath and talk.

If you’ve ever been in a cooking class where everyone moves in a blur, this structure is a relief. Two separate cooking sessions mean you’re not stuck doing every step alone or in a single marathon stretch. It also keeps your hands and attention fresher for the second set of recipes.

For you, this usually translates into less stress and better results. When you have time to reset, your cooking has a chance to be neat, tasty, and not just an emergency race to the finish.

The Tasting Hour: Eat What You Cook With Included Wine

This is the part that can make or break a class—and it’s a strong point here. The last hour is dedicated entirely to tasting what you made. The wine pairing is included as well: one bottle for every four people.

This is smart planning. Cooking is more fun, but tasting is what turns it into a memory. You get to sit down and compare dishes across the group, ask about what you tasted, and actually enjoy the results instead of rushing out right when the cooking ends.

Also, tasting together helps you understand the recipes in a practical way. You learn what you meant to taste while you were cooking, and you pick up cues you can copy later—salt balance, texture, and how the flavors come together after a short wait.

How the International Aperitif Theme Really Works

The class calls itself international, and that matters in two ways.

First, you’re learning multiple appetizer styles rather than one theme. That increases your odds of finding at least a few dishes you’ll actually want to make again at home.

Second, you get a built-in reason to talk about food from different cultures. You’re chatting while you cook and later while you taste. It’s a natural setting for travel conversation because everyone has a chance to connect personal tastes, home habits, and travel experiences to the food in front of them.

One review also pointed out the chef’s approach to healthy options and vegan alternatives. You don’t get the experience split into separate tracks. Instead, you can end up with options that fit different needs while still staying in the same spirit of learning and tasting.

Price and Value: Is $39.86 Worth It?

At $39.86 per person, this experience is reasonably priced for what you get—especially in a place where wine and a professional kitchen are included.

Here’s the value logic, item by item:

• You get tools, aprons, and gloves, so you’re not paying extra to participate.
• You get snacks and drinks before cooking, including tea/coffee, soft drinks, and sparkling wine.
• You get the full class structure: 3–4 appetizers and 1 sweet, taught with guidance.
• You get the tasting hour with wine (bottle for every four people).
• Water is included in both still and sparkling styles.

In other words, you’re paying for an organized, social food night that covers both the activity and the meal. If you already enjoy cooking but want a social, guided format, this price can make a lot of sense. If you dislike cooking at all, the included tasting and guided instructions are what keep it from feeling like work.

One extra cost to keep in mind: if you want more wine beyond what’s included, extra bottles are 15€ and a glass is 5€.

Practical Logistics You Should Know Up Front

The class runs about 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability to match your schedule. It ends back at the same meeting point and finishes at 9 p.m. sharp, so you won’t be able to stay longer after the tasting wraps.

Language is Italian, which matters if you prefer everything explained in English. Even so, the format is designed for participation—you cook together under guidance, and the atmosphere helps you follow along even if your Italian is limited.

What’s required vs. not allowed

• Bring: a hair tie
• Minimum age: 18
• Not allowed: children, pets, smoking, luggage/large bags, baby strollers, baby carriages
• Not suitable: wheelchair users
• Food needs: you must declare intolerances, allergies, or restrictions in advance

That last point is especially important for a class where you’ll eat everything you cook. If you have an allergy or intolerance, don’t wait until you arrive. Tell them ahead so they can plan appropriately.

Who This Class Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Option)

This experience is ideal if you want:

• A social, low-pressure cooking class
• Real instruction while still being able to chat and relax
• A night that includes both cooking and a sit-down tasting

It’s also a good fit if you’re a beginner. The whole promise is that you won’t be left to figure things out alone.

That said, it may not be ideal if:

• You need wheelchair access (it’s not suitable)
• You’re traveling with kids (minimum age is 18)
• You want to store bags or bring large luggage (it’s not possible)

And if you prefer classes with English instruction, keep in mind the language is Italian, so you’ll rely more on the visuals, the chef’s guidance, and the shared pace of the group.

Should You Book It? My Decision Guide

Book this international aperitif + cooking class if you’re craving a friendly evening in Lombardy where you learn a handful of memorable appetizer recipes and then actually enjoy them with others. For the price, the combination of sparkling wine, included wine at tasting, and a proper professional kitchen setup makes it feel like more than a casual food workshop.

Skip it or consider another option if you’re sensitive to the strict finish time, need wheelchair accessibility, or you’re traveling with anyone under 18.

If you like the idea of cooking as a social activity—and you want a class where the food is the center of the conversation—then this is a strong choice.

FAQ

What is the duration of the cooking class?

The experience lasts about 2.5 hours. Starting times can vary, so you should check availability for the times offered.

What will I cook during the class?

You’ll cook 3 or 4 savory appetizers plus 1 sweet treat. The specific recipes are designed to be special and come from different parts of the world.

Do I get to eat what I make?

Yes. The last hour is devoted entirely to tasting the appetizers and sweet treat you cooked, with included wine.

Is there wine included?

Yes. Still and sparkling water are included, and wine is included with the tasting at a ratio of 1 bottle for every 4 people. Extra wine can be purchased separately.

What language is the class taught in?

The instructor is Italian, and the language of the experience is Italian.

What do I need to bring, and what’s not allowed?

You should bring a hair tie. Pets are not allowed, smoking is prohibited, and luggage or large bags can’t be brought. The experience is also not suitable for children under 18 or wheelchair users.