Lucca: Cook With An Italian Mamma – Pasta & Tiramisu By Cesarine

We had an amazing time with Rossana and Alberto, as well as the dog Arte!! The recipes all turned out great and showed us how easy cooking can be with the right ingredients and teacher. The hospitality was also incredible.

Sylvia was an excellent host and cook. Very engaging, fun and instructive. We had a wonderful time and learned a lot in a very casual, friendly environment.

My wife and myself had a great night with Monica our fantastic host. We learned many cooking tips and, most of all had a real fun night. Monica has huge experience of Italian cooking and we were grateful for the tips she passed on. At the end of the session we all sat down together to eat the food we had prepared and it was delicious.

Rosanna was AMAZING! If you're deciding between a cooking class in a commercial kitchen and one in a real Italian home, stop deciding. Being welcomed into her home felt less like a class and more like visiting a friend who happens to be an incredible cook. She offers several classes with different menus, so you can choose what you actually want to eat. We went with lasagna and made everything from scratch: the pasta, the bolognese, and the béchamel. Then we assembled it, baked it, and ate far more than we should admit (including the best Tiramisu!). We also got a tour of her olive trees, and the space was lovely and spotless. The second-best part of the experience is a tie between getting to know her assistant (also known as her husband) and their kind, gentle dog, who supervised quietly. When we come back to Lucca, we will definitely take another one of her classes. There are plenty of menus left to work through!

This was truly a wonderful experience & we all agreed it was one of the best meals we had on our Italian culinary adventure! Silvia & her assistant were fabulous.

Silvia was amazing! Her home is so welcoming and beautiful and she created such a fun and immersive atmosphere. We were a group of 12 ladies and yet Silvia still managed to leave a lasting impact on each of us. We would highly recommend her and we loved the afternoon with her.

An authentic meal created from scratch by me! We were in good hands with Sylvia our Cesarine who patiently and thoroughly explained the process of pasta making. The best tiramisu I ever ate and I helped make it!

It’s worth every penny. Sylvia was a terrific teacher, very kind, very patient, very knowledgeable and willing to share her knowledge with us. She’s a wonderful teacher.

Monica and Paulo made us feel like family as we talked and learned and ate in their beautiful outdoor kitchen and garden. After seeing many of Italy's incredible sights, spending this time with Monica and Paulo was the perfect way to end our trip. Monica is an excellent teacher and cook. We made two pastas and enjoyed eating the multi-course meal. Brava, Monica!

This was wonderful, we were in luck that we had a private class. Sylvia opened her beautiful home for us (center Lucca) and she thought us how to make the best pasta and tiramisu (we'll never want anything else again). She shares the recipes afterwards so you can make them at home.

This was the most amazing experience. 10/10!

Our experience was fun and unique. However, the host seemed surprised that we had 6 people and wasn’t aware the tour was 3 hours. Everything was rushed and didn’t make the ravioli or tiramisu cause we didn’t have time.

If you’re looking for an experience with an Italian familia, this is the one!! Monica and Paola were such gracious and loving hosts. They took every measure to make sure our experience was beautiful and filled with knowledge and learning and the sense of familia. We learned to make two kinds of pasta from scratch, we tasted different flours and talked about how ingredients affect the final product. Everything we used was fresh and organic. We enjoyed a delicious bread “chip” as an antipasti, and then delicious bruschetta so flavorful. We sampled a beautiful ricotta with homemade herbed olive oil and herbed salt. We made the pasta and then cooked it. To serve the pasta, it was complemented by two very different but equally delicious sauces and a delightful red wine. We had an option of two desserts to choose from and enjoyed each very much, along with a delightful dessert wine. Monica takes great pride in being able to really effectively teach the students proper technique and innate cooking lore that will help them reproduce the dishes learned in Lucca when they return home. She inspired both of us to consider more cooking with fresh and organic ingredients. This experience was definitely a highlight of our adventure and we would highly recommend and repeat when we are in Lucca again.

We had an amazing time with our guide Monica in Lucca. She took extra care to make sure we all had a go, made us feel like we were cooking with friends and family altogether and took the time to explain all that goes into making pasta from scratch. Highly recommend Monica!

Monica was an exceptional teacher who provided us with an unforgettable learning experience. Her warm hospitality and genuine care made us feel like family. She is passionate about sharing the authentic traditions and explained each step with meaning. Not only will I cherish the lessons she taught , but I will also treasure the memories I created with my mom. Monica’s kindness and expertise ensured that we had the best class experience. It felt like I was back in my nonna’s kitchen, reliving childhood memories. Thank you, Monica, for creating an experience that I can share with my mother, a memory we will cherish forever. I am excited to practice my pasta-making and tiramisu skills at home and sharing them with my friends and family. This was an experience I will never forget, and I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of it. Thank you once again for your incredible experience, and I highly recommend this class to anyone. I would also like to express my gratitude to Monica for her teaching.

Our pasta-making class with Rossana and Alberto was absolutely incredible! It was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy and such a special experience from start to finish. They were both so warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing their love of Italian food and culture. The class was not only fun and hands-on, but we learned so much about making authentic Italian pasta. Everything we made was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere felt so personal and relaxed. Rossana and Alberto made us feel like we were spending the day with old friends rather than simply attending a cooking class. We couldn’t recommend this experience more! If you’re visiting Italy, this is an experience you absolutely need to add to your trip. Thank you, Rossana and Alberto, for such a memorable and wonderful experience—we will be talking about this pasta class for years to come! ❤️

Monica is an incredible teacher and clearly enjoys sharing her wealth of knowledge of Italian cooking, wines and culture. Monica was a very gracious hostess, making you feel a part of her family and I would highly recommend this experience with her.

We were with Monica in Lucca and it was outstanding! Loved every second. Learnt a huge amount and the food was incredible. Monica was extremely generous with her time and also gave us extra courses to try. It took place in Monica's home in her outdoor kitchen which was perfect. My daughter and i had a great time. I would 100% recommend! Thank you!

I really enjoyed the fresh pasta making experience, tomato sauce & Tiramisu! The dishes were delicious, and Silvia was a great teacher!

We had an amazing time with Monica, I went with a friend and her and her husband invited us into their home, we learnt so much! It was just the 4 of us together. Its about a 15 minute drive out of Lucca walls. This was my first time ever doing a cooking class. We learnt how to make two different types of pasta as well as trying some local entree's and desserts! (and a few wine's) Had a lot of laughs along the way, honestly an experience i will never forget. Would highly recommend this to anyone! Both of them were so lovely and welcoming, we ate together at their table and talked about life, travel and many more topics. They made us feel comfortable right away, blessed to be able to learn from her and her husband. 100% do it!

Made welcome even before we arrived with the communication and left feeling part of the family. Loved the experience and have gone away exited to try these dishes once we’re home. Definitely value for money. Rosanna thank you for sharing your recipes and experience. Alberto thank you for being our sous chef ❤️

This was an absolutely wonderful experience. As an avid traveler it is such a treat to find an authentic experience in an intimate and relaxed environment that does not feel like the typical generic tourist rush. Silvia is delightful and fun.

This was a great experience in a real Italian home. Most authentic cooking class I’ve ever taken. Highly recommend.

We had never taken any sort of cooking class anywhere ever ! What a wonderful Experience. Our chef/cook was Monica Rosarti of Lucca. She did a great job of explaining how to make proper Italian Lasagna. We got hands on experience and feel confident that when we get back home to Canada we should be able to replicate the dish. Monica and her husband were excellent hosts. All in we spent nearly 3 hours talking, prepping and cooking, then sat down to a wonderful very tasty meal. We had brucchetta, some sort of fancy ricotta and a very tasty parmiggana that was soaked in olive oil - just extremely tasty. Followed by the lasagna that we all had a hand in making ! Monica & Pauolo were lots of fun and we were fully entertained. Il pasto è stato favoloso ! Grazie mille Monica ! Grazie mille !!!

Our time with Sylvia was very special. She put us at ease, taught us how to make some excellent Italian cuisine without it being complicated. It was a pleasure spending time with her.

Monica is the best! We cooked in her home our last night in Lucca and it was the perfect way to end our trip. Monica is knowledgeable, a great teacher, and a kind soul. I would 100% do this again.

Amazing food but even better people! Made us feel very comfortable and easy conversations in English. Shares their love of food and culture.

My mom and I did this cooking class with Sylvia in Lucca and it was fantastic! She was so welcoming and a fantastic instructor. We made two different pastas and tiramisu and then had a wonderful meal with wine. I would definitely recommend this to everyone. We are looking forward to making an Italian meal when we are back in Canada!

Great experience - we had 7 with 3 young children. We made pasta and tiramisu in her kitchen. Lovely apartment home, plenty of space, intimate... and our host was fantastic! She has a perfect personality for the busy curious children, and taught us a lot. The kids really enjoyed it - great memories were made - thank you

This was a very social type of activity - great for family bonding or team building. The host was very kind. In fact, the entire staff made an effort to meet us.

Of all the things we did on our two week trip to Italy, this ranks as the best. Silvia cared for every detail and was ready for us at arrival. Her knowledge of the Italian cuisine was great and she shared so much information with us, not to mention wine 😊. While we weren’t exactly sure what to expect, all 10 of us left fulfilled and grateful. We are going to mimic this experience with our family back home and make a day of it. If you are considering a cooking class on your visit to Italy, look no further…book this one. Awesome experience.

What an unforgettable experience for my husband and me. Rossana and her husband, Alberto, welcomed us into their home as if we were lifelong friends. Anyone who knows me knows that pasta is my absolute favorite food 🥰, so this experience was truly special. Rossana patiently taught us how to make several different types of pasta, showing us the techniques for shaping each one by hand. We made tagliatelle with her family’s delicious meat sauce recipe, ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, and the most amazing tiramisu. After spending the afternoon creating all of these incredible dishes, we sat down together in their beautiful backyard and enjoyed every single bite. It felt less like a class and more like sharing a meal with family. I highly recommend her class to anyone visiting Italy. It was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences I had during our trip.

We loved our cooking experience with Silvia in Lucca! She was a great teacher and we learned a lot. Eating what made with a great white wine was a perfect way to end the day.

Monica taught us how to make an authentic lasagna from an Italian Mamma. Monica was warm, friendly, kind, with amazing generosity. Monica is a true Italian. We had a party of five and there was an additional couple from the Netherlands. We laughed, Monica told stories. She has a beautiful home. Monica provided an interpreter who did an amazing job translating from Italian to English. We highly recommend this experience.

This was an absolutely beautiful and authentic experience to spend the evening with Silvia in her home. She was so gracious, patient and fun to cook and dine with. I would strongly recommend this event!

Silvia welcomed us into her home like we were old friends she hadn't seen in years ... and honestly, that's exactly what the whole experience felt like. We made two kinds of pasta from scratch ... a simple hand-cut tagliatelle with a fresh tomato basil sauce and the most gorgeous spinach and ricotta ravioli ... plus focaccia and mortadella to start, great Italian wine throughout, and finished with what might genuinely be one of the best tiramisus I have ever tasted in my life. And the wild part? It was shockingly easy. That's the magic of Silvia. Her instruction is warm, clear and genuinely confidence-building ... you leave feeling like you could actually pull this off at home. Her English is excellent, her energy is bright and charismatic, and her home is absolutely beautiful. If you are in Lucca and you do not book this class, you are making a mistake. Highest possible recommendation.

The class with Cecilia was one I will NEVER forget!! She is an excellent teacher that is very clear and easy to understand. Her home is so beautiful and she is so warm and inviting 💗 The recipird I learned to make are some I can easily replicate at home. It tastes fabulous! She made a WONDERFUL AND WARM memory with me to keep always! I would recommend her class to anyone! No trip to lovely Italy could ever be complete without booking a class experience with Celia!

Very authentic experience in Monica and Paulo’s home in Lucca. We felt very welcomed and Monica was an amazing teacher. We not only learned how to make pasta and tiramisu but also lots of technique. Monica shared Italian cultural practices of fresh and organic farming which was quite interesting. Of course the food was fresh and delicious! We were there for 4 hours even though the tour says 3! Great experience.

This class was my favorite activity in Lucca. Our family of 6 adults booked the class just a couple of days in advance. Chef Sylvia was fantastic! What a treat it was to be able to visit a beautiful apartment within the walled city. Sylvia was very organized and had the menu timed out perfectly. We made 2 pastas by hand - pappardelle and ravioli filled with fresh asparagus. We started with making tiramisu. Risotto and a strawberry dessert were made with our 2 vegan family members. When finished with cooking, we sat at a beautifully laid dining room table and enjoyed our meal with wine. It was a fantastic afternoon and something we will always remember. Sylvia’s English was very good since our Italian is not!!

Today’s cooking experience was amazing. The hospitality given by our beautiful hosts was next level. The lasagne that we made was exceptional and I hope we can do it justice when we return to Australia. Highly recommend this to anybody visiting Lucca.

This class was absolutely fabulous! Our teacher Silvia was so kind and patient. Our meals were delicious and the class was perfectly paced.

This was a wonderful experience! One of the true highlights of our trip. Silvia was warm and welcoming and encouraging as she guided us through making ravioli, tagliatelle, and tiramisu. Such a pleasure to learn how to make pasta by hand, and my daughter and I are looking forward to making pasta and tiramisu again when we get home. Highly recommend this experience!

It was such a fun experience to make homemade pasta, including raviolis, pasta sauce plus tiramisu! I highly recommend the class! It was also fun to be in a local home and meet local Italian people! I highly recommend it!

We were in Lucca for part of our spring break in Italy trip with our granddaughter. She loves to cook so we booked a cooking event with Monica. We got much more than that! We had a wonderful evening preparing food, learning techniques, tastes, history and a whole lot of laughing. We ate at various points along the preparation and ended with a beautiful homemade pasta dinner and excellent tiramisu we'd made together. Monica's home is about 10 minutes outside of the walled city but we enjoyed seeing other parts of Lucca getting there. Unforgettable!

Cooking with Mamma in Lucca was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. Novella and Marcos were incredible teachers—warm, engaging, and clearly passionate about what they do. They made the entire process approachable and fun, whether you’re a beginner or someone who already loves to cook. We had such a great time learning how to make fresh pasta and lasagna completely from scratch. It wasn’t just a class—it felt like being welcomed into a home, sharing stories, laughs, and amazing food. The atmosphere was relaxed and genuine, which made the experience even more memorable. On top of that, the views of Lucca from the windows were beautiful and added something really special to the whole evening. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Lucca. We’ll absolutely be back and in the meantime we’ll be cooking our own lasagna back home!!

This was a great experience- I should have booked for a longer time. Had I known before I booked I would have.

This was the highlight of our trip! Rossana and Alberto were amazing hosts. The cooking was fun and the food was absolutely fantastic! I’d recommend this activity to anyone wanting to have an authentic Italian food experience.

This will be the best thing that you do in Lucca. Our chef’s were so gracious with their time and their home. I will totally be able to recreate this meal at home. We just loved our day with Novella and Marco.

We had a great experience with Rossana and Alberto. Not only did we learn about making pasta, we made friends and learned about Lucca. As a family we connected, laughed and are excited to try our new skills. Thank you for the honor of being in your home and hearing your stories and secrets for cooking.