Rooftop Cooking Class In Genoa: Pesto, Fresh Pasta & Wine

Outstanding experience in every way. The highlight of our trip to Italy!

This was an amazing experience. Alberto is an amazing chef and instructor. Learning how to make pesto and fresh pasta was so much fun and truly authentic experience. I highly recommend this cooking class to anyone who wants to experience true Genoan culture! Alberto will also share these recipes with you. We can't wait to try and make our own!

We were fortunate enough to be the only ones attending the class as the tourist season was winding down and we had a wonderful time. Alberto was very friendly and knowledgeable and provided a lot of great information. He even provided suggestions for restaurants/wine tasting/shopping, too. The location was perfect - lots of stairs to get up to the apartment but well worth it!

Alberto was amazing! We welcomed us to his home and we made fresh pasta and pesto on the rooftop. He gave us focaccia and espresso/cappuccino to start and wine with our pasta that we made. This was an amazing experience. Totally recommend!!!

Our host/chef was absolutely fantastic. First off his directions to get there were impeccable. Secondly, the venue is on the roof of a 16th century house with tons of character. We not only learned how to make pasta and pesto we got the recipes for both along with all the other treats he gave us, including Tiramisu. We learned the history of how the locals made their pasta and pesto. I didn’t know about chestnut flour which is an ingredient used in the pasta. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants a cooking class.

We were lucky to book Alberto’s cooking class the night we arrived in Genova. It was a perfect evening on his lovely rooftop learning how to make homemade pesto and pasta! We came hungry and left with full bellies. We were offered focaccia, a beverage, snacks and local Cinque Terra wine with our dinner we prepared. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for a lovely way to spend an evening learning to make this local dish!

Alberto was an incredible host and made the whole evening so special. Communication and coordination were simple, and the experience itself was amazing from beginning to end. The outdoor space is beautiful and expertly arranged to accommodate the activity. Alberto did an outstanding job sharing the history and significance of each ingredient and cooking instrument used in creating our dish. His preparation and cooking instructions were clear, and he provided helpful guidance along the way whenever things went sideways—which, of course, is part of the fun of cooking! He also provided excellent wine and snacks to enjoy throughout the experience, and the food we created was absolutely delicious. We shared the evening with another couple and had a great time getting to know them and enjoying conversation together. Alberto was incredibly gracious and even allowed us to hang out and enjoy the evening a little longer after the class had finished. Overall, this was a very special evening, and we are incredibly grateful to Alberto for hosting us. If you're looking for a unique and memorable experience while visiting Genova, I can't recommend this cooking class enough. It was one of the highlights of our trip and an evening we'll always remember!

Alberto's pesto and pasta making class was fantastic. We learnt a lot and ate a lot!! We did the class with our two kids (ages 9 and 11) and Alberto was kind and patient with them. The rooftop location was lovely to enjoy local snacks, wine and our pasta.

What a great experience. Learned not only the hands on way to make traditional pasta and pesto but there were lots of insights Alberto gave us on the history and methods to make a great meal. And a great meal we did have. Not only the pasta/pesto we made but other local Italian specialties that were delightful and nice to know about. This is definitely a worthwhile afternoon, the food, setting and the teacher were wonderful.

The Pesto, Fresh Pasta, and Wine cooking class on Alberto’s rooftop was a great experience. Alberto has immense passion for Genoese food and it really came through in his discussion of the origin of Genoese pesto. His discussion on the prep of the pesto and pasta was very informative and it was fun to be able to prepare our own pesto and pasta for dinner. Overall, a wonderful time.

This was definitely the best night of our stay in Genova! Alberto was the friendliest and most engaging host and made us feel like family in his home. Even a driving rainstorm that forced us inside for part of the lessons did not present a problem. He went out of his way to set the rooftop table back up afterwards so we could enjoy our dinner under the lights in beautiful style! And of course all the drinks, wine and food were delicious!! Book with Alberto without hesitation.

What an amazing experience!! Alberto is awesome! A very good instructor on how to make pesto and pasta plus he shared the history of the ingredients used. He made it very fun and then fed us not only the dishes we made but some different types of focaccia bread, wine and dessert all which were excellent. The rooftop added an extra layer to the experience. I would highly recommend Alberto’s cooking class. I am excited to create my own dishes at home. Thank you so much Alberto.

Very knowledgeable chef offering cooking classes in his own home. I would highly recommend! It was very hands on, which made for a fun experience!

We will always remember this experience, and set the stage for future vacation cooking classes. Chef was incredibly kind, patient, and professional. Pesto, pasta and focaccia all made on his 12th story rooftop. Every step, every detail, so you an try at home. 100% hands on. This is a must try.

Alberto is welcoming, authentic and fun to spend the day with and learn quite a bit about pesto, pasta, and Italian cooking. He is very accommodating and goes out of his way to be a superb host and make the day rewarding and enjoyable. We had very pleasant fellow tourists attending with us, which makes for fun conversations If we come back to Genoa, we will be going again.

A highlight of our vacation for sure! So many favorite moments from the chef inviting us into his home, his rooftop prep kitchen, his sweet dog Lola, and getting to make it ourselves and learn. Really was a perfect night!

My daughter and I had a wonderful time participating in this cooking class. Alberto shared many useful tips about preparing the meal as well as the fascinating history about the food we were making. The rooftop was a lovely setting for the class, and it was nice to work with a small group. We would highly recommend this experience!

This was one of the highlights of our two week trip! We had an amazing time. Our host, Alberto, was very knowledgeable. He gave a lot of history, especially on authentic Genovese pesto, which was so interesting. Our class was supposed to be 3 hours but ended up lasting over 4 hours, but we never felt rushed. He had everyone in the group involved. Alberto also provided us with appetizers, dessert, and drinks as part of the experience. All the food was amazing. I came home and bought all the tools and ingredients to make the dish again. Thank you Alberto for opening your home to us and providing us with an unforgettable time!

We had the most amazing time! This might have been some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in Italy. Alberto was so informative and taught us so much and was so generous to welcome us into his home! Highly recommend

We really enjoyed everything! We learned a lot, the experience was amazing and the food was great! We would recomend to everyone!

We had a wonderful time learning how to make pasta and pesto. Alberto was a great teacher. A good time was had by the entire family.

We had the best time during our rooftop cooking class. My husband and I participated with our three teenage boys. The boys all enthusiastically participated and enjoyed the food that we made as well as the other little bites that were provided. It was a hot day, but we felt taken care of with lots of cold water and some small fans on the table. Alberto has a beautiful setting on his rooftop terrace for this special class. We have been home in the US for less than 48 hours, and my seventeen-year-old has already made a batch of pasta for his lunch! We enjoyed hearing more about Genoa and the origins of these local foods.

What a wonderful evening! Alberto welcomed us to his charming rooftop and shared his passion for traditional Genoese pesto and fresh pasta. He taught us the history behind the dishes while we enjoyed a unique cocktail, delicious focaccia, and local appetizers. We made pesto by hand and fresh pasta with his expert guidance, then enjoyed the meal we created with wine and a light, refreshing Genoese-style tiramisu. The small group setting made for a relaxed, personal experience. We highly recommend this class to anyone visiting Genoa!

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience! We had an absolute blast at the Pasta & Pesto making class yesterday! Alberto is not only a fantastic chef but also an incredible teacher. He shared so many fascinating insights and background stories about the dishes, which made the whole experience both delicious and super interesting. Everything,from the starter appetizers to the wonderful selection of wines—was top-tier. The atmosphere was light, fun, and warm. We had such a great time that as soon as I got home, I found myself googling pasta machines so I could buy one and make my own fresh pasta at home! We would do this again in a heartbeat. Highly recommended!

What an amazing evening!! My daughter and I loved everything about this special evening. Alberto was an excellent teacher and host. We learned a lot about local food history and ingredients, as well as how to make a delicious pesto and pasta. There was a local apertif, several appetizers, the pasta / pesto, focaccia, lots of wine, and dessert -- we left very full! Alberto sent us the recipes, so we'll see if we can replicate it when we get home. :)

Fun and interactive! Our instructor was very engaging and informative. We really enjoyed the cooking experience!

I would highly recommend this cooking class. Alberto was very knowledgeable on the history of the food and the preparation of both the pasta and pesto. The food was delicious from the appetizers to the dessert.

One of the absolute highlights of our Italian holiday was Alberto’s rooftop pasta and pesto cooking class in the heart of Genoa. From the moment we stepped into his apartment, Alberto made us feel completely at home. We enjoyed a glass of local wine while taking in the beautiful rooftop views over Genoa before getting our hands dirty making fresh pasta and traditional Genovese pesto. The funniest part? We ended up beating an Italian family (a dad and his two daughters) in the pesto challenge! Even Alberto agreed ours had the perfect consistency. We’re still smiling about our unexpected victory! The whole experience was relaxed, friendly and full of laughs. Alberto is a fantastic host who shares not only his cooking skills but also his passion for Genoa and its food. If you’re visiting the city, don’t miss this class. It’s a wonderful way to experience authentic Italian hospitality.

Great fun, interesting to hear the history behind the food, enjoyed the rooftop location

Had the most amazing time on the rooftop - the roof is and a family of 3! The food was remarkable!! I loved the history the most and learning about Genova and why their food is different from other cities in Italy. The aperitif and first course were phenomenal. We got to enjoy them after making the pasta and pesto by hand. And then we got to eat the pasta with our freshly made pesto sauce. Alberto (I hope I spelled it right) was remarkable!! The dessert after was so great too! A nice Genoise take on tiramisu.

This is a fun experience, nestled away in a little pathway. Make sure you can climb up narrow staircases! If you can definitely worth it! Be sure and watch the video on how to arrive at the location.

Amazing experience!!! Alberto welcomed his home to us all, such an unforgettable time. This was by far our favourite part of the trip in Genova!

We booked this as a separate cruise excursion. Alberto communicated well on how to arrive and was very informative on the history behind our cooking class. Not only that we learn a lot about making pasta, we enjoyed good company, great wine, and an amazing meal. Would 100% recommend!

This was a once in a lifetime type experience. The class was conducted in the rooftop patio of the chief's home. There was four of us in the class. The chief made everyone feel very comfortable as we made pest and pasta. In addition the chief made us a small breakfast before we started the class and provided a dessert after we ate our pesto and pasta. Highly recommend this cooking experience. PS sorry for the late review.

This was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Italy! The class was fun, hands-on, and incredibly informative. Alberto was kind, patient, and very knowledgeable, sharing not only great cooking techniques but also insights into Italian food and culture. Making fresh pasta from scratch was a fantastic experience, and we left with new skills, delicious food, and wonderful memories. The atmosphere was welcoming and authentic, making it feel much more personal than a typical tourist activity. If you're visiting Genoa, I highly recommend this class. It was a truly memorable experience and one of our favorite parts of the trip!

Alberto was amazing. He kindly opened up his home to us. He provided us with the best ingredients, warm hospitality and a wonderful rooftop. He explained thoroughly all the ingredients and how to make our pesto and pasta. He also provided us with lots of other local culinary treats. A lovely way to spend an afternoon; eat some lovely food with wonderful company and instruction. Highly recommend.

Alberto shares the history behind the food and is so passionate about what he does. It was fun, hands on, and not only did we get to eat our creation of pasta and pesto but he provided even more treats including cappuccino and tiramisu. Highly recommend this experience.

I have gone on over 30 cruises. This was Truly the best thing I have ever done on an excursion. Between learning the history of pesto and the ingredients, learning to make the pasta and pesto it was so much fun. Honestly the best pasta I have ever eaten and I made it. Can't wait to return home and make it for my family. This is an absolute must do! The wine was great also.

Can not say enough good things about the experience, had a fantastic group and a fantastic host. Very warm and friendly, as well as very informative about the history and culture of the cooking. The value for your money is 100% worth it. Would absolutely come back to do again and highly recommend.

Alberto was the perfect genovese pasta and pesto guide to walk us through the historic tales and meaning behind every step of creating our iconic folded napkin iykyk dish. He was also incredibly hospitable! I'd recommend this experience to anyone visiting.

My husband and I took my inlaws to enjoy this experience and it was everything we hoped for and more! Great food, drink, instruction and even a bit of history. One member of our group had never cooked before and was not looking forward to trying and he had a fantastic time. The terrace was beautiful and Alberto was very friendly and welcoming. Would recommend to anyone visiting Genoa!

We had a very lovely experience! Alberto is a great host - welcoming, knowledgeable and kind. We can't wait to make pasta and pesto when we return home.

My family and I loved our experience with Alberto and Amy! From the rooftop terrace to the food to the thoughtful storytelling, they totally succeeded at delivering a memorable afternoon in Genoa. Alberto taught us about the ingredients, the region, and culture while Amy crafted a hospitable atmosphere and welcomed us into their home. They were both great at communication before, during, and after the experience. We booked this as a cruise excursion and Alberto was great about timing each aspect of the class so we could return to the port for embarkation on time.

Great opportunity to learn not only about how to make pasta and pesto, but also about Genoa and the region of Liguria. Alberto was a great host more than willing to entertain any question. Just hope to be able to repeat the success when I get back home. Highly recommend.

This class was the highlight of our Italy trip! Alberto was a fantastic teacher, very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Would highly recommend this experience to anyone wanting to learn about authentic Genovese cuisine!

Amazing pesto and pasta cooking class on rooftop in Genoa! Alberto is a great host, professional, very knowledgeable and great teacher! His passion about his city, its roots, and every ingredient, its story of where it came from, made the experience more enjoyable, wanting us to come back for more! Not one dull moment from the moment we stepped in! The appetizers, conversations, drinks and dessert were a great touch, and the pasta and pesto fun to make and absolutely delicious! My husband and I truly enjoyed every minute of it, an experience not to miss!

This experience was one of the highlights of our honeymoon. Alberto is warm, gracious, and funny as well as an excellent teacher. We felt extremely comfortable and welcomed in his home. I’ve never made pasta or pesto before and had a lot of fun. The end result was so delicious! We also really enjoyed the drinks, wine, and dessert! I would highly recommend this experience to anyone. We will never forget it.

Authentic, exceptional experience! Very good host, excellent setting and superior instruction. Definitely enjoyed Genoa in a more authentic and memorable way than we would have. Highly recommended!

Best cooking class in Genoa! Alberto was an amazing host and chef. He showed us how to make pasta and authentic Genoese pesto. The rooftop view is amazing and we had so much fun! We recommend this experience for all visitors of Genoa. The food you make is amazing and Alberto also prepares appetizers, dessert, and wine. It was a small group of only 6 which made the expirence that much better. We hope to take another class from him if we’re ever in Genoa.