Lake Como: Pizzoccheri Cooking Class in Valsassina

Nestled in the picturesque region of Valsassina, the Pizzoccheri Cooking Class invites foodies to enjoy the rich culinary heritage of Lake Como. Under the guidance of a professional chef, you will learn the traditional techniques for preparing the iconic local dish of pizzoccheri as well as the beloved tiramisu. Hosted on a charming dairy farm, the class also includes a delightful cheese tasting, showcasing the region’s finest local specialties. With a small group setting and instruction available in both Italian and English, this class offers a unique opportunity to discover the flavors that have captivated the palates of visitors to Lake Como for generations.

Contents hide

1 Experience Overview

2 Cooking Class Guidance

3 Ingredients and Preparation

4 Class Schedule

5 Cheese Tasting Location

6 Tasting Menu

7 Cancellation and Meeting

8 Restrictions and Inclusions

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Key Points

Immersive pizzoccheri cooking class in Valsassina, a region near Lake Como, focusing on local cuisine and culture.
Hands-on instruction from a professional chef, covering fresh pasta preparation and traditional dishes like pizzoccheri and tiramisu.
Complementary cheese tasting at a dairy farm, showcasing artisanal local specialties with a 10% discount on purchases.
Class duration of 2 hours, accommodating up to 10 participants, available in both Italian and English.
Suitable for both novice and experienced cooks, providing a comprehensive culinary experience in a small group setting.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Experience Overview

The pizzoccheri cooking class in Valsassina offers visitors a chance to enjoy the local cuisine and culture.

This full-day experience includes hands-on instruction from a professional chef, a cheese tasting at a dairy farm, and a 10% discount on purchases. Priced at €339 per person, the class lasts 2 hours and accommodates a small group of up to 10 participants.

Instruction is available in both Italian and English. After the cooking lesson, guests enjoy a cheese tasting menu featuring the farm’s locally produced specialties, including pizzoccheri and tiramisu, accompanied by wine, water, and coffee.

With free cancellation up to 7 days in advance, this unique culinary adventure is an ideal way to explore the flavors of Lake Como.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Pasturo.

Cooking Class Guidance

Under the guidance of a professional chef, participants prepare the local specialty of pizzoccheri, a pasta dish made with buckwheat flour, as well as the classic Italian dessert of tiramisu. The cooking class focuses on the preparation of fresh pasta, with an emphasis on technique and traditional ingredients.

Dish	Key Ingredients	Preparation
Pizzoccheri	Buckwheat flour	Kneading, rolling, and cutting the dough
Tiramisu	Ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone	Layering the components and chilling
Compote	Seasonal fruits	Cooking down the fruit with sugar

The small group setting allows for individual attention and hands-on learning throughout the 2-hour class. Participants leave with the knowledge and confidence to recreate these classic Valsassina dishes at home.

Ingredients and Preparation

Participants begin the cooking class by learning how to prepare the essential ingredient for pizzoccheri – fresh buckwheat pasta. Under the chef’s guidance, they knead, roll, and cut the dough to create the signature flat, ribbon-like noodles.

Once the pasta is ready, the group moves on to the other key elements of this regional dish. They sauté cabbage, potatoes, and cheese in a pan, then layer the vegetables with the freshly made pizzoccheri.

Class Schedule

Cooking classes are scheduled on Tuesdays or Thursdays, starting promptly at 3:00 PM.

The 2-hour hands-on session guides participants through the preparation of the classic local dish, pizzoccheri, as well as the beloved Italian dessert, tiramisu.

Under the expert tutelage of a professional chef, guests will learn the intricacies of making fresh pasta using buckwheat flour, a key ingredient in the region’s cuisine.

The intimate class size, limited to just 10 participants, ensures personalized attention and an engaging learning experience.

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned home cook, this immersive culinary adventure will leave you with newfound skills and a deep appreciation for the flavors of Valsassina.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Cheese Tasting Location

The cheese tasting takes place at the dairy farm’s restaurant in Pasturo, providing a picturesque setting to savor the region’s artisanal offerings.

The tasting menu features a variety of cheeses produced by the Valsassina dairy farm, accompanied by compotes, the local dish of pizzoccheri, tiramisu, a bottle of wine per four people, water, and coffee.

As an added bonus, participants receive a 10% discount on purchases made at the dairy farm’s store, allowing them to take a taste of the experience home.

The cheese tasting is an integral part of the Pizzoccheri Cooking Class, offering a well-rounded culinary adventure in the heart of the Valsassina countryside.

Tasting Menu

The tasting menu showcases a tantalizing array of the Valsassina dairy farm’s artisanal cheeses, complimented by homemade compotes, the signature local dish of pizzoccheri, and an indulgent tiramisu dessert.

A bottle of wine per four participants, along with water and coffee, rounds out the delectable spread. Guests can savor the rich flavors of the dairy farm’s hand-crafted specialties while surrounded by the tranquil setting of the Pasturo restaurant.

The tasting experience provides a perfect complement to the hands-on pizzoccheri cooking class, offering a well-rounded exploration of the region’s culinary traditions.

An additional 10% discount on purchases at the dairy farm store is an added bonus for participants.

Cancellation and Meeting

Participants can cancel their booking for a full refund up to 7 days prior to the scheduled class.

The dairy farm offers ample parking in Pasturo, which is accessible via a bridge leading to the restaurant.

The key details about the cancellation and meeting location include:

Free cancellation up to 7 days in advance for a full refund.
Large parking available in Pasturo, the town where the dairy farm is located.
The dairy farm restaurant is accessible via a bridge from the parking area.
Comfortable shoes and clothes are recommended, as the class takes place on the working farm.

Restrictions and Inclusions

Certain individuals may not be able to fully participate in the pizzoccheri cooking class, as it’s not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, vegans, and those with lactose intolerance.

The class includes a cooking demonstration and cheese tasting, both of which feature dairy-based products. However, the experience does provide a complimentary shopper, allowing guests to purchase local delicacies from the dairy farm store with a 10% discount.

Aside from these restrictions and inclusions, the cooking class covers the preparation of the traditional pizzoccheri pasta dish and tiramisu under the guidance of a professional chef. Participants can enjoy the lesson in either Italian or English, in a small group setting limited to 10 people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Book the Class for a Private Group?

Yes, the cooking class can be booked for a private group. The small group size is limited to 10 participants, allowing for a personalized experience under the guidance of a professional chef.

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for Participants?

The cooking class has no minimum age requirement. Children are welcome to participate, though the class may not be suitable for very young kids. Participants must be able to follow the chef’s instructions and safely work in the kitchen.

Do You Offer Vegetarian or Gluten-Free Menu Options?

Unfortunately, the experience does not offer vegetarian or gluten-free menu options. The cooking class focuses on traditional pizzoccheri, a local pasta dish made with buckwheat flour, which is not suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

Is There Any Flexibility in the Class Start Time?

The class start times are generally fixed at 3 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, the provider may be able to accommodate alternative start times for private groups upon request, subject to availability and additional fees.

Can I Purchase Additional Cheese or Products From the Dairy Farm?

Yes, participants can purchase additional cheese or dairy products from the farm’s store at the end of the experience. A 10% discount is offered on all purchases made at the on-site store.