Traditional Gnocchi Cooking Class In A Local Home In Spoleto

An Unforgettable Evening with Claudia and Francesco — So Much More Than a Cooking Class! It’s hard to put into words just how exceptional our experience with Claudia and her husband, Francesco, was. From the moment they welcomed us into their beautiful home, we felt their warmth and gracious hospitality. By the end of the evening, we were gathered around a beautifully set table, surrounded by the most delicious food we had created with our own hands, feeling less like guests and more like family. And what a feast we created! From bruschetta and stuffed ravioli to traditional strangozzi alla spoletina (my new favorite pasta!) and tiramisu, we did it all. We made the dough, prepared the fillings, rolled and cut the pasta, and created the sauces. This was truly a hands-on experience, with Claudia patiently and expertly guiding us every step of the way. We left feeling confident that we could actually recreate these wonderful dishes at home! What made the food even more special was knowing where the ingredients came from. So much was locally grown or lovingly prepared by Claudia and her extended family. Tomatoes she preserves herself, figs from the family trees, eggs from her father’s farm. We enjoyed local salamis and cheeses, including an absolutely heavenly bite of cheese topped with Claudia’s homemade fig marmalade. All accompanied by wonderful Montefalco wine. The entire evening was a feast for the senses. The aromas filling the kitchen, the beauty of the table set with lovely china and glassware, the incredible flavors, and the pleasure of sharing it all together. We’ve enjoyed some fabulous restaurants throughout Spoleto and Florence, and I can genuinely say that the meal we prepared with Claudia rivaled any of them! I was also studying Italian in Spoleto, with only two weeks of lessons under my belt. Claudia and Francesco were so incredibly patient and encouraging as I practiced my Italian with them. Their English is excellent, so whether you speak Italian or not, you’ll feel completely comfortable. And Francesco took beautiful photographs throughout the experience and sent them to us right away, giving us wonderful keepsakes of an evening we’ll never forget. What stays with me most, beyond the extraordinary food, is the kindness and generosity of these two lovely people. They welcomed us into their home for several hours, shared their traditions and family stories, and made us feel like old friends. I truly feel I’ve made new friends in Spoleto. This experience was priceless. It reminded me how joyful and rewarding something as simple as preparing a meal together can be, especially when shared with wonderful people. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a complete beginner, don’t hesitate for a moment to book this experience. Claudia is a fantastic teacher, and she and Francesco are exceptional hosts. It was one of the highlights of our time in Italy, and a memory I’ll treasure for years to come!

Just do it. You will learn to cook gnocchi, meet some nice people and have a great meal. All in a rural setting.

Wonderful experience! We made gnocchi - all from scratch including grating the potatoes, mixing the dough, shaping the gnocchi and preparing everything for the ragú. We also prepared two different types of bruschetta for an appetizer. The food was delicious, the table setting was lovely and the instructor Claudia was welcoming and knowledgeable. Her husband Francesco took and shared many pictures to record the evening. We had a traditional Umbrian cake for dessert on which Claudia put candles to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Delightful hosts and very enjoyable evening- one we will always cherish.

You’ll have an unforgettable experience at Claudia’s home— something truly unique that you won’t find anywhere else. From our perspective, it ended up being one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Umbria, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend booking it. Best of luck with the big window!

Just the most wonderful experience. Our host is a darling spark of a chef! Her husband is dear and charming! We shopped for ingredients, toured (their beloved) Spoleto, and then it was off to her farmhouse for cooking class. Everything was organized and meticulous; apparently we are brilliant chefs because we made delicious pasta. Her parents and cousins were harvesting olives and welcomed us in to the olive grove to watch. We left after too many hugs. Book this if you can.