You will receive a warm welcome and immediately immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of authentic Ligurian home cooking. After a small starter, the experience begins with an introduction to the essential ingredients of Ligurian cuisine – high-quality extra-virgin olive oil, fragrant basil, flour, and carefully selected regional products.
The cooking lesson takes place in the heart of Porto Maurizio, Imperia, at Via Martiri della Libertà 136, and lasts about four hours. Just a few metres away is one of the most beautiful coastal bike paths in the world – ideal if you want to combine your cooking lesson with a bike tour along the Ligurian coast. You can safely park your bike in my garage. The course is designed to feel like a holiday within a holiday – no hustle and bustle, no stress, just great food, genuine hospitality, and the real Italian dolce vita.
Together, we'll prepare traditional Ligurian focaccia. Patti will guide you through each step and reveal the secrets of the dough, the right rising time, and the techniques that give the focaccia its characteristic texture and irresistible aroma as it bakes to a golden brown.
Next, you'll prepare authentic pesto al mortaio using a traditional marble mortar and discover how aromas and flavours develop through this centuries-old technique.
After that, you will make fresh pasta by hand and learn simple, authentic techniques that you can easily replicate at home. To finish, there's something sweet: you'll discover gobeletti, traditional Ligurian shortcrust pastries with apricot jam, and a popular homemade speciality of the region.
The experience can also be tailored to your interests, your skills, or a special occasion, making it very personal and unique.
Patti conducts the course in Italian, English, and German and ensures that guests from all over the world feel comfortable and can actively participate throughout the experience.
At the end of the class, we sit down together at the table and enjoy the dishes we prepared ourselves in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere. Over lunch, Patti tells stories about Ligurian traditions, local culture, and everyday life in this beautiful region – accompanied by very good local wine. It's a moment to enjoy, share, and laugh, and a chance to experience true Italian hospitality.
This is more than just a cooking lesson. It's an opportunity to discover Liguria through its flavours, traditions, and people, and to create memories that will stay with you long after your trip.
