International aperitif + cooking class in Italian

This experience is interesting because it pairs a hands-on cooking class with an aperitif-style social meal. You cook appetizers designed to be different from the usual pasta-and-sauce routine, then you sit down together to taste what you made, with wine in the mix. It runs in a real professional workshop setting, CHEF AND THE CITY, with Chef Ilaria leading the class.

I love the way this feels beginner-friendly without feeling casual. You are guided step by step, you wear the provided gear, and you learn by doing, not by watching. I also love the tasting hour, where the food is the conversation starter, and the wine is included with a practical bottle-per-group approach that keeps the vibe easy.

One possible drawback is that the class language is Italian, and the session ends at 9 p.m. sharp, so plan your evening around that fixed finish time.

Key things to know before you go

• International appetizers with real technique: expect a set menu approach, not your usual comfort-food defaults
• Chef Ilaria’s hands-on guidance: no special skills required, you cook together in the workshop
• A welcome moment in the dining room: a small buffet plus sparkling wine before you step into the kitchen
• A full tasting hour: you eat what you made, with wine pairing built in
• Clear rules and boundaries: 18+ only, no pets, no wheelchairs, and no smoking

Entering CHEF AND THE CITY on Laura Ciceri Visconti Street

You meet at CHEF AND THE CITY, a professional cooking workshop on Laura Ciceri Visconti Street, in Lombardy. The storefront has three large windows and big red signage, so it is pretty straightforward to spot. When you arrive, ring the bell on the center window, then enter the workshop.

Inside, the vibe is warm and practical. Before you cook, you hang out in a cozy dining room, not just a hectic line of people waiting in the kitchen. That matters because you start relaxed instead of flustered, and you can settle in with a welcome drink and snacks before aprons go on.

One detail I appreciate: you are not asked to bring the tools or arrive knowing what you are doing. The workshop provides kitchen tools, aprons, and gloves, plus the staff handles the logistics so the cooking stays smooth even with a group.

How the 2.5 hours actually plays out

The class is built like a simple arc: arrive, cook in two rounds, then eat for a longer stretch. That structure makes it feel balanced, not like you are stuck working the entire time.

Here is the flow you can count on:

• Arrival and welcome: while everyone gathers, you get a small buffet of sweet and savory snacks, along with tea or coffee, soft drinks, still and sparkling water, and a glass of sparkling wine.
• First cooking round: you cook for about 30 minutes, guided by the chef and trained staff.
• Kitchen reset break: you take a pause while the kitchen gets set up for the next recipe batch.
• Second cooking round: you cook again for about 30 minutes.
• The long tasting hour: the last part of the experience is about tasting everything you made, and the wine shows up as part of the meal.

The last hour is a big deal. Many classes feel like you cook, then you leave. Here, you actually sit with the results. Also, because wine is included (one bottle for every four people), the aperitif side feels integrated, not tacked on.

Timing-wise, plan to be done by 9 p.m. sharp. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so do not count on lingering after the group finishes.

Welcome buffet to first apron: what you feel in the beginning

If you are the type who likes a plan but hates awkward silence, this start helps. You come in, grab a little from the buffet, sip sparkling wine, and get your bearings while other guests arrive. It is an easy way to start chatting without forcing anything.

You can also use this time to flag food needs. All guests must declare food intolerances, allergies, or restrictions in advance, which is the right approach for a workshop that serves food and includes wine. If you are someone who wants to check what is in each item, this is when you ask.

A practical note: bring a hair tie. You are cooking in a real kitchen, and keeping hair secured is part of the flow. It is a tiny thing, but it makes the whole session feel more comfortable.

What you cook: 3 to 4 international appetizers plus one sweet

This is not a class where you learn one Italian dish and call it a day. The goal is to teach you appetizer-style cooking from different places, with enough variety to keep your interest.

You will cook:

• 3 or 4 savory appetizers
• 1 sweet treat

The appetizers are described as special and different from the usual stories people tell about grandma recipes and familiar comfort foods. The focus is on learning a set of recipes you can recreate, with guidance from the chef and staff while you are actually in the kitchen.

Why this format is valuable: appetizers are where technique shows up fast. You get practice with timing, seasoning, shaping, and assembling, without the long marathon of a full dinner menu. And because it is only two cooking rounds, you can handle it even if you consider yourself a novice.

A really helpful detail from the experience itself: the class includes healthy options, and there are vegan options. If you sometimes worry that vegan or dietary needs will shrink the menu, you will find the process designed so everyone can take part in the tasting.

The kitchen rules that make it feel authentic

One reason people enjoy this workshop is that it is not only about having fun, it is also about doing Italian cooking the right way. Chef Ilaria sets expectations, and the class feels clean and well-run. Even while moving quickly through multiple recipes, there is an ongoing focus on keeping things tidy during the process.

In plain terms: you are not just learning recipes, you are learning how to work in a professional kitchen. That means you pay attention to steps, you follow instructions closely, and you end up with food that tastes like it belongs on the table, not like a rushed experiment.

And yes, the chef is friendly and engaging. Expect questions, conversation, and a teaching style that keeps things moving.

Eating what you cooked: the wine-fueled tasting hour

The final hour is where the experience really lands. You taste the culinary results together, and wine is part of the pacing. Wine is included at a rate of one bottle for every four people, so it is enough to keep the aperitif mood going without turning into a free-for-all.

The tasting hour is also when travel talk happens naturally. Food makes a great bridge, and the group conversation often drifts toward how people connect their travels to what they eat, which is exactly the kind of chatting that feels authentic.

If you like meeting people but do not want awkward icebreakers, this is a good setup. You all worked toward the same outcome, and you have real topics at hand, like texture, seasoning, and why a specific pairing worked.

Wine and included drinks: what you should expect

Besides wine, you also get:

• still and sparkling water
• tea or coffee
• soft drinks
• a sparkling wine glass at the welcome

This matters for value because you are not paying separate prices for basic drinks while you are learning and cooking. The included wine is positioned as part of the meal experience, not a token pour.

There can be extra costs if you want more. Extra bottle is listed at 15 euros, and extra glass is 5 euros. If you think you will want a second or third round beyond what is included, plan for that.

Price and value: is $39.86 worth it?

At $39.86 per person, you are paying for more than “cooking instruction.” You are getting:

• all the cooking gear (tools, aprons, gloves)
• snacks at the start plus tea or coffee and soft drinks
• sparkling wine at arrival
• still and sparkling water
• wine during the tasting portion
• a guided, structured session lasting about 2.5 hours

When I judge value for classes like this, I focus on what you cannot replicate on your own: the group structure, the wine-inclusive meal timing, and the expert guidance that helps you actually finish with edible, shareable results. If you were to do this alone, you would still need ingredients, kitchen access, and someone to guide the timing and technique. Here, that whole package is built in.

So, yes, it looks like good value, especially if you treat it as both an activity and a meal. It is also a reasonable option for solo travelers because the conversation is built into the tasting and the cooking together.

Practical tips that make the class smoother

A few rules and details are worth taking seriously so nothing surprises you:

• Language is Italian, so it helps if you can follow simple cooking directions, or you are comfortable with a bit of translation through gestures and examples.
• You must declare any intolerances, allergies, or restrictions in advance.
• The class is 18+.
• It is not possible to participate if you are in a wheelchair.
• No pets, no smoking, no luggage or large bags, and no baby strollers or baby carriages.
• You should not count on storage for suitcases. Plan to travel light.

If you are coming from a day of sightseeing, this is also why the hair tie and the no-luggage rule matter. It is a working kitchen, so the smoother you are with small items, the better the experience will feel.

Also keep in mind that the experience ends at 9 p.m. sharp. If you have dinner reservations later, double-check the timing so you are not rushing.

Who should book this cooking and aperitif class

This is a great fit if you want:

• a social activity that is centered on food, not forced mingling
• a guided cooking experience with no special skill required
• an Italian-led workshop that still keeps the menu international
• a structured, two-round cooking session with a longer tasting hour

It may not be the best fit if you:

• need wheelchair access
• want a class in English
• are traveling with kids, pets, or large luggage
• are hoping for a free, open-ended hangout after 9 p.m.

If you are someone who sometimes avoids cooking classes because you worry you will make a mess, you will likely like this style. The setup is calm, the chef leads with friendliness, and the group meal at the end helps everyone feel the payoff.

Should you book CHEF AND THE CITY’s international aperitif cooking class?

If your ideal travel afternoon includes good drinks, teamwork, and eating what you just made, book it. The workshop timing is smart, the included wine and drinks make it feel like a real aperitif experience, and Chef Ilaria’s teaching style keeps it both fun and disciplined.

I would especially recommend it if you are visiting Lombardy and you want something more memorable than another museum stop. This gives you a hands-on story you can bring home, with recipes and technique you can actually use later, plus a built-in chance to meet people over the meal.

On the other hand, if Italian-only instruction is a deal breaker, or if you need a later end time, you might want to look for a different class that better matches your schedule and language needs.

If you are flexible and curious, this one is a strong choice at the price point, and it is one of those experiences where the best part is not only what you learn, it is how quickly you start feeling like part of the group.

FAQ

Do I need cooking experience to join this Italian aperitif cooking class?

No. You will cook together under the chef’s guidance in a professional workshop. No special skills are required, even if you have never weighed flour before.

What will I cook during the 2.5-hour experience?

You will cook about 3 or 4 savory appetizers and 1 sweet treat. You cook in two rounds of about 30 minutes each, with a break in between.

Is wine included, or do I need to pay extra?

Wine is included. One bottle of wine is included for every 4 people, and you also get a glass of sparkling wine at the start. Extra bottles or glasses cost extra if you want more.

What drinks and snacks are provided?

You get a small welcome buffet with sweet and savory snacks, plus coffee and/or tea, soft drinks, still and sparkling water, and sparkling wine. During the tasting you also drink wine as included.

What should I bring, and what are the main restrictions?

Bring a hair tie. The class does not allow pets, smoking, baby strollers, or luggage or large bags. Children are not allowed, and participation is only for ages 18 and up.

What language is the class taught in, and when does it end?

The instructor teaches in Italian. The experience ends back at the meeting point and finishes at 9 p.m. sharp.