Cooking class plus aperitif is a winning combo. This international aperitif + Italian cooking class in Lombardy is built around one simple idea: you learn by doing. You get Chef Ilaria’s hands-on guidance, start with a sparkling wine welcome, cook several appetizer recipes, and then spend the last hour eating your own food with wine and good conversation.

I love that it’s genuinely social without being forced. You’re not just watching a chef work; you’re cooking alongside the group, then sharing the tasting table like friends. I also like the way the workshop stays practical and organized, with a cozy dining room for the welcome buffet and a clean, professional kitchen for the cooking.

One consideration: the experience is taught in Italian only, so if you don’t speak the language, you’ll still be able to participate, but you’ll rely more on the chef’s demonstrations and the group atmosphere.

Key things to know before you go

• Chef Ilaria’s guidance makes beginner cooking feel doable, even if you’ve never weighed flour.
• You cook 3 to 4 special appetizers plus 1 sweet treat, inspired by different parts of the world.
• Aperitif starts in the dining room with snacks, tea/coffee, soft drinks, and sparkling wine while everyone arrives.
• Wine pairing is built in, including a bottle for every 4 people during the tasting hour.
• You eat what you make as the main event, not a side detail.
• The pace is structured: two cooking blocks, a short kitchen reset break, then a full tasting hour.

Chef and the City in Lombardy: where the class actually starts

This experience takes place at a professional cooking workshop called CHEF AND THE CITY in Lombardy, on Laura Ciceri Visconti Street (4). It’s easy to spot from the street thanks to the three large windows and the big red signs. When you arrive, you ring the bell on the center window to enter. You don’t need to hunt through an apartment building—this is meant to be a straightforward drop-in meeting point.

If you arrive a touch early, you’re not just standing around. The plan includes a cozy dining-room wait time for all the guests, with drinks and small bites. That matters because it turns the “meet and greet” portion into part of the experience, instead of a logistics delay.

The welcome aperitif: snacks, tea/coffee, and sparkling wine

Before you touch a knife, you’ll settle into the dining room while everyone gathers. There’s a small welcome buffet with sweet and savory snacks, plus tea and coffee, soft drinks, still and sparkling water, and a glass of sparkling wine.

This is a small detail, but it’s a big reason this class feels relaxed. You get a chance to talk with your group before the kitchen energy kicks in. And because aperitif culture is central to how Italians socialize, the vibe matches the setting: drink something good, nibble something tasty, then start cooking together.

If you’re the type who hates awkward silence, this part helps. You’re all waiting for the same start time, so conversation flows around food, cooking habits, and—very naturally—travel experiences through what you eat.

The hands-on cooking blocks: 30 minutes, break, then 30 more

Once everyone’s ready, you jump into the cooking portion. You’ll cook 3 or 4 appetizers plus 1 sweet treat. The recipes are described as coming from different parts of the world, and the point is that you’re learning new dishes and techniques, not repeating the same old pasta routine.

The timing is nicely structured:

• You cook for about 30 minutes
• Then there’s a short break while the kitchen resets for the next recipes
• Then you cook again for about 30 minutes

Between those blocks, the experience gives you a breather. It’s not only practical (kitchens need time to reset), it also keeps the energy up. You’re not stuck doing one long, exhausting session without a pause.

You don’t need special skills. Included tools, aprons, and gloves are provided, and the chef and staff guide you step-by-step. Based on what people emphasize afterward, the class is friendly toward non-cooks, including people who just want to learn, eat well, and have fun.

What you learn through international appetizers

Even without a detailed menu list, the format tells you what you’re really getting. You’ll likely focus on appetizer-building skills: prepping, seasoning, timing, and plating in a way that works for shared dining. Doing appetizers from multiple regions is also a shortcut to understanding variety—how different flavors show up as finger foods, small plates, and bite-sized treats.

And yes, there’s room for a range of preferences. One strong theme from the experience is that the chef pays attention to healthy options, including vegan choices, so dietary needs are not treated as an afterthought.

The tasting hour: your best meal is the one you cooked

The last part is your payoff. The final hour is devoted entirely to tasting the culinary wonders you made. This is not a rushed “here’s your plate, next group” situation. It’s built as a shared meal.

Wine is part of it in a clear, generous way:

• You get wine during the tasting
• A bottle is included for every 4 people
• Sparkling wine is part of the earlier welcome

What I like about the setup is that it makes the tasting feel like an event. Cooking is often only half the story in classes. Here, eating what you made is the story—and the wine pairing makes it easier to relax, linger, and actually talk.

If you’re trying to decide whether a cooking class is worth it, this structure is a good sign. The meal isn’t separate. It’s the destination.

Chef Ilaria’s style: friendly, fun, and still serious about technique

Chef Ilaria is a big reason people leave with big smiles. The feedback you’ll likely find centers on her being friendly and fun, and on how responsive she is to questions during the process. You’re not thrown into a cold, silent kitchen.

At the same time, there’s an interesting balance that comes up: the chef is described as pretty strict on Italian cooking rules. That doesn’t mean it’s stiff or intimidating. It means you’ll probably get clear guidance on technique and how flavors should behave, rather than loose “whatever works” cooking.

That combination is exactly what many first-time students want:

• Someone supportive enough to keep you comfortable
• Someone firm enough to help you cook with confidence

Price and value: what $39.86 buys you (and why it feels fair)

At $39.86 per person, this class is positioned as an affordable way to combine three things that usually cost more when separated: a hands-on cooking lesson, multiple courses of food (since you’re cooking several dishes), and wine.

Included items cover the essentials:

• Kitchen tools, aprons, gloves
• Snacks (sweet and savory)
• Coffee and/or tea
• Soft drinks
• Sparkling wine at the start
• Still and sparkling water
• Wine during tasting (bottle for every 4 people)

There are also extra details you should know so you aren’t surprised if you want more to drink. Extra bottles cost 15€ each, and extra glasses cost 5€ each. That’s not unusual, but it’s good to know up front.

For me, the value comes from the flow. You’re not paying only for cooking instruction; you’re paying for the whole night structure: aperitif welcome, two cooking rounds, and a long tasting hour with wine.

What to bring, what not to bring, and small constraints that matter

This class keeps things simple, but it has clear rules.

Bring

• A hair tie (mentioned as what guests should bring)

Not allowed

• Pets
• Baby strollers
• Smoking
• Luggage or large bags
• Wheelchairs (access isn’t possible)
• Children (minimum age is 18+)

Food needs

All guests must declare any food intolerances, allergies, or restrictions in advance. If you have dietary needs, don’t treat it like a casual note—send it ahead of time so the chef can plan properly.

Time limits

The experience ends at 9 p.m. sharp, and guests won’t be allowed to stay longer. So if you’re planning dinner elsewhere, build in a buffer.

Who this class suits best

This is a great fit if you want an Italian-flavored evening that’s not just about food facts. It’s especially good for:

• First-time cooking class students who want guidance and a social setting
• People who like aperitif culture and want an excuse to try Italian-style hospitality
• Solo travelers who want conversation without awkwardness
• Food lovers who enjoy the idea of international recipes taught through an Italian lens

If you’re traveling with a group, it can also work well because the tasting and wine setup make it easy to share and compare plates.

Should you book Chef Ilaria’s international aperitif cooking class?

Yes, if you want a structured, friendly, adult cooking experience where the highlight is eating what you cooked. The combination of a welcoming aperitif, Chef Ilaria’s approachable teaching style, and a full tasting hour with wine is a strong value for the price.

Skip it only if you know you can’t handle Italian-language instruction, or if your schedule is tight and you need flexibility past 9 p.m. You should also avoid it if mobility or baggage logistics are an issue, since wheelchair access and luggage storage are not available.

If that sounds fine, book it. This is the kind of class that turns dinner into a story you can tell later.

FAQ

What is the duration of the cooking class?

The experience lasts about 2.5 hours (you’ll want to check available starting times).

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at CHEF AND THE CITY at 4 Laura Ciceri Visconti Street, Lombardy. Ring the bell on the center window to enter.

Is special cooking experience required?

No. No special skills are required because you cook together under expert guidance.

What will I cook during the class?

You’ll cook 3 or 4 appetizers plus 1 sweet treat.

Is there wine included?

Yes. A glass of sparkling wine is included at the welcome, and wine is included during the tasting hour (with a bottle for every 4 people).

Are there drinks besides wine?

Yes. There’s tea and/or coffee, soft drinks, and still and sparkling water included.

What should I bring?

Bring a hair tie.

Are children allowed?

No. The minimum age requirement is 18, and it is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I bring a wheelchair or stroller?

Wheelchair users are not suitable for this activity, and baby strollers are not allowed.

Is there an option to handle allergies or intolerances?

You must declare any food intolerances, allergies, or restrictions in advance.