Cooking and wine, in Italian, for 150 minutes. This Lombardy experience at Chef and the City turns an aperitivo into hands-on cooking, with international recipes made in a real professional workshop, then finished with a wine pairing.

I love how beginner-proof it feels: you cook together step by step, with tools and guidance, even if you’ve never weighed flour in your life. I also like the social pace, because the last hour is all about tasting what you made, chatting, and swapping travel stories through food—exactly the kind of relaxed evening that doesn’t feel like homework. One thing to consider: it’s only in Italian, so if you don’t speak the language, you’ll lean more on visuals, questions, and good-natured teamwork than on long explanations.

Key things I’d mark on your mental map

• Only Italian spoken: no English safety net, so come ready to communicate simply.
• Two cooking rounds: about 30 minutes each, with a short break so everything stays on schedule.
• World-inspired menu: three appetizers and/or one dessert, not the usual repeat-template dishes.
• Tasting is the finale: you eat what you cooked, with wine (or a special cocktail).
• Wine value built in: 1 bottle for every 4 people, plus water and welcome drinks.
• Pro workshop feel: kitchen tools, aprons, gloves, and a proper setup—not a demo class.

Chef and the City in Lombardy: finding Via Laura Ciceri Visconti quickly

This experience takes place at the Chef and the City cooking workshop on Via Laura Ciceri Visconti n. 4. It’s easy to spot: there are three large windows and big bright red signs on the shop.

When you arrive, don’t walk into the building like you might for other venues. Instead, you ring the bell on the central window to enter. That small detail saves time, especially if it looks like you’re standing outside a normal street shop at first.

A friendly professional kitchen, plus a cozy dining room before you cook

The workshop is professional, but the vibe starts in the dining area. While waiting for everyone to arrive, you’re welcomed with a small buffet of sweet and savory snacks, plus drinks, tea, and coffee.

This matters more than it sounds. You’re not dropped straight into chaos at a cutting board; you get a chance to relax, meet the group, and settle your stomach before the cooking starts. And since you’re there for 150 minutes, that warm start helps the whole evening feel like a real experience, not a rushed class.

Only Italian is spoken: how to enjoy it even if your Italian is shaky

The language rule is the biggest practical factor. The experience is taught in Italian only, and the data specifically says instructor language is Italian.

Here’s the good news: cooking lessons are visual by nature. Even if your Italian is basic, you can still follow along with what’s happening at your station—mixing, assembling, tasting, and asking short questions when you can. Also, the chef and staff are guiding you directly in the workflow, so you’re not guessing recipes from a page.

If you want to make this smoother, plan around it:

• Keep your questions short and food-focused.
• Use the body language method: point, taste, and ask how to adjust.

The 150-minute structure: welcome, two cooking sessions, then your food tour at the table

The pacing is very clear and very intentional. The whole event runs for 150 minutes, and the atmosphere stays relaxed all the way to the tasting.

First, you snack and get oriented. You’re in the cozy dining room with sweet and savory bites, plus tea/coffee and drinks while the group comes together.

Then comes cooking Session 1 for about 30 minutes. You’ll work on what you’re making together under the chef’s guidance, in a kitchen set up for real cooking—not just watching.

After that, there’s a short break. The kitchen gets ready for the next recipe, so you’re not tripping over equipment or waiting forever in a cramped space.

Cooking Session 2 runs for another about 30 minutes, continuing the hands-on part. And then the best part: the last hour is tasting. You sit down to eat what you made, accompanied by a glass of wine or a special Chef and the City cocktail.

One practical expectation: some tasks may already be simplified so the evening stays on schedule. The overall format is designed for fun and group flow, not for turning your night into a five-hour craft project.

What you’ll cook: three world appetizers and/or one dessert

You’ll cook three delicious and unique appetizers and/or one dessert. The theme is international, so you’re not stuck with only one cuisine style or one comfort-zone menu.

The best part is that it’s not framed like copycat cooking you could do at home from memory. The class is built to give you a range of flavors and techniques, with recipes that come from different parts of the world, then let you take part in making them.

There’s also a group-collaboration rhythm. You’ll cook with others (often in pairs or small teams, depending on how the kitchen organizes you). That’s a plus if you like the feeling of learning by doing, but it’s also why they keep the timing tight.

If your dream is one single recipe from start to finish with zero shortcuts, you might find yourself wishing for more time per dish. But if your goal is variety, conversation, and tasting a full set of results, this format lands well.

Aperitivo time: welcome drinks, wine pairing, and what’s included

This evening isn’t just a cooking class with food at the end. It’s built around the aperitivo idea: drink, conversation, then the table payoff.

Included drinks and basics:

• Sparkling wine glass
• Soft drinks
• Still and sparkling water
• Wine: 1 bottle for every 4 people

That wine rule is a smart value detail. It means wine isn’t just a token splash; it’s planned as part of the dining experience. And you’re tasting your own cooking with wine pairing, which makes the flavors feel like they have context instead of being random ingredients on a plate.

At the end, you’ll also be offered either:

• a glass of good wine, or
• a special Chef and the City cocktail

If you want more than what’s included, extra alcohol costs 15€ per bottle and 5€ per glass. So decide early whether you’re staying within the included flow or planning to upgrade.

Tools, aprons, gloves: you show up and start cooking

You don’t have to bring equipment. The experience includes kitchen tools, aprons, and gloves. That’s a big deal for convenience. You’re not hunting for a chef-style outfit or trying to figure out what you need at home.

One small instruction you should not ignore: bring a hair tie. It’s one of those “tiny but important” rules that keeps the kitchen comfortable and safe.

How the chef experience works: organization, hospitality, and step-by-step guidance

The teaching style matters, and the tone here is consistently described as organized and welcoming. Chef and the City’s chef is guiding the process, and staff help keep it smooth in the kitchen.

In many sessions, Chef Ilaria is the name you’ll connect with during the experience. There’s also mention of an assistant named Pauline, which fits the idea that you’re not left alone at your station. On some nights, you may be coached by another chef on the team, such as Alessandro—so the format stays the same even if the voice guiding you changes.

What you should take from this: you’re there to learn through action. The explanations are clear and hands-on, and the vibe is friendly rather than rigid. When you can ask questions and keep moving without embarrassment, cooking classes become a lot more enjoyable.

The practical rules that affect your evening (and what to plan around)

A few logistics can affect your comfort level, so check them early:

• Age limit: minimum age 18.
• No children, and no guests in wheelchairs.
• No luggage or large bags. This is important because you may have limited space inside.
• No smoking.
• Pets are not allowed, and access to any animal species is prohibited.
• No baby strollers or baby carriages.
• The experience ends at 9 p.m. sharp, so you won’t be able to hang around after tasting.

That 9 p.m. finish time is worth noting if you’re planning dinner elsewhere. Build in buffer time so you don’t feel rushed leaving right as you’re full and happy.

Also, you must declare any food intolerances, allergies, or restrictions in advance. That’s not just etiquette; it’s what lets them keep your experience safe and enjoyable.

Who this aperitivo + cooking class is best for

This is a good match if you want a social evening with structure. You’ll get three things that pair well together: cooking, conversation, and tasting with drinks.

I think it suits:

• Couples or small friend groups who want a shared activity, not just a meal
• Solo travelers who like meeting people through food (the format encourages chatting and getting to know each other)
• Food lovers who enjoy international flavors and learning new techniques without stress
• People who want a guided evening that doesn’t require culinary background

It’s not ideal if:

• you need wheelchair access (it isn’t possible to participate)
• you’re traveling with kids under 18
• you want an English-first class (it’s Italian only)
• you want unlimited hanging out time (it ends at 9 p.m. sharp)

Price and value: is $49 worth it?

At $49 per person for 150 minutes, the value is strongest when you look at what’s included, not just the cooking.

You’re getting:

• a professional workshop setup with tools, aprons, gloves
• a welcome buffet with snacks and drinks
• coffee and/or tea
• soft drinks plus water (still and sparkling)
• a sparkling wine glass
• wine built into the plan (1 bottle for every 4)
• and the big one: you eat the results you made during the tasting hour

So you’re not only paying for instruction. You’re paying for the whole experience package: cooking time, social pacing, and a meal-style finale with drinks. If you were to replicate this privately, the venue and drink plan alone would likely cost more than the class fee in many cities.

Extra bottles and glasses are extra cost, of course. But the included wine plan gives you a solid base for an aperitivo-style evening.

Should you book this Italian-only international aperitif class?

If you’re comfortable with the idea of Italian-only guidance and you want a friendly, structured evening where you cook and then actually eat what you made, I’d book it. The schedule is clear, the kitchen setup is professional, and the tasting hour turns learning into something you can taste immediately.

Before you go, just do two quick checks: bring a hair tie, and plan around the 9 p.m. cutoff. If you have allergies or intolerances, declare them early so your menu stays safe and your night stays stress-free.

If you want a cooking class that feels like an aperitivo with real food and real people, this one fits.

FAQ

Is the cooking class taught in Italian only?

Yes. The experience is in Italian only, and instructor language is Italian.

Do I need any cooking experience or special skills?

No. You cook together as a group with expert guidance from the chef and/or qualified staff, so you do not need special skills.

What will I cook during the class?

You’ll cook three appetizers and/or one dessert, inspired by different parts of the world.

How long is the experience, and when does it end?

The duration is 150 minutes, and the experience ends at 9 p.m. sharp.

What drinks are included?

You get a sparkling wine glass, plus soft drinks, still and sparkling water. Wine is also included at 1 bottle for every 4 people.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a hair tie.

Are children or wheelchair users allowed?

The minimum age is 18, so children under 18 are not suitable. Participation is also not possible for wheelchair users.