Cooking Class in Rome
Cooking Class
Rome is many things. Rome is love, history, a backdrop
for romantic films, but above all – Rome is food. And what
food!
When it comes to Italian food, the kitchen motto is "simple
and fresh", and in the cooking workshop by Fabiolous Cooking Day,
this motto has become an ironclad rule.
The cooking workshop offered by the school
lasts about 5 hours, during which you will tour the colorful and famous
Campo de' Fiori market and prepare four authentic Italian dishes.
During the market tour, although you will pass by the tourist stalls of
fruits and pasta, the main focus will take you to the stalls where
the locals shop. Many colorful stalls of olive oil, balsamic
vinegar, tomatoes of all shapes and sizes, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms,
spices, chocolates, eggs, fish and seafood, cheeses, and meats
will welcome you. The sights, colors, and aromas will leave you with
an unforgettable experience.
The chef who guides you on the tour will explain a lot about authentic Italian cooking and the dishes you are about to prepare. During the tour, the chef will purchase the necessary ingredients for preparing the dishes you will make in the workshop.
Before I move on to describing the cooking class, I will first provide a few practical recommendations regarding accommodation, transportation, and tours in Rome.
Accommodation in Rome
In Rome, it is advisable to stay in the city center, making it more convenient to tour and easily get from one place to another. Of course, there is no need for a car; you get around by public transportation and taxis, avoiding expensive parking worries. Here are several recommended accommodation options in central Rome:
Recommended Hotels in Central Rome:
Near Piazza Navona:
Hotel -
Hotel
Lunetta
A 4-star hotel 100 meters from Piazza Navona. Spa
included in the price. Air-conditioned rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Paid
parking.
Adjacent to Piazza Navona. Air-conditioned rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Street parking. Family suites available.
Suites Hotel:
Piazza
Farnese Luxury Suites
Suites hotel for 5-6 guests.
Air-conditioned. Located right next to Campo de' Fiori market, a few minutes' walk
from Piazza Navona. Free Wi-Fi. No parking.
Near the Vatican:
Hotel Rooms and Suites -
Starhotels
Michelangelo Rome
A 4-star standard hotel. Air-conditioned
rooms for 2-4 guests. Free Wi-Fi in some rooms.
Paid parking nearby.
Recommended Guided Tours and Transfers in Rome
Private Transfers
If you have arrived at Rome airport and do not plan to rent a car in the city, you can either take a taxi from the airport and trust the driver to charge a fair price, or you can book a private transfer here via the Viator site at a price you know in advance. The driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name at the airport exit. If you are heading out of Rome afterwards on an indulgent cruise, it is also recommended to book a private transfer here to take you directly to the ship:
Private Transfers and Tours from Civitavecchia Port
♦ Private transfer from Rome Airport to hotel or vice versa:
Rome Airport Transfer - ONE WAY
Guided Tours
You can of course explore Rome independently and enjoy the sights, restaurants, etc. But for those who also want guided tours that add interest, explanations, and historical background to various buildings, it is recommended to take one of the following featured guided tours. You can choose a walking tour, a bicycle tour, or a Segway tour. For lovers of Italian cuisine, food tours are also offered.
Booking Tours and Attractions for Travelers in Rome:
Tours at the Italian Cooking School
• Fabiolous Cooking Day in Rome
A tour departing from central Largo di Torre Argentina, located
within walking distance of the market and the Jewish Ghetto (and even passes through it along the way).
The tour starts at the market, and after completing the ingredient shopping, you continue to Tiber
Island, an enchanting small island nestled between the two banks of the Tiber River,
where the cooking workshop studio is located.
The workshop takes place
every day of the week, from 09:30 to 14:30. Price per person:
110 Euros. Children up to age 13 – 50% discount.
• Mazzano Romano
A tour to the medieval suburb of Rome, Mazzano, which includes the drive there (about half an hour's drive outside Rome), walking and shopping at the market, and the cooking workshop itself. The day begins at 08:00 AM, and the cooking workshop itself takes about 4 hours, concluding at approximately 15:00, after which you return to central Rome. Price per person – 130 Euros (including transportation). Children up to age 13 – 50% discount.
Chef Federico explaining Italian broccoli to us:
The menu changes depending on the season and the needs of the group (vegetarians, kosher keepers, etc.), but it can be said with certainty that everyone leaves satisfied. We experienced making three kinds of fresh pasta, an appetizer such as Caprese salad, and a wonderfully simple, refreshing dessert that the chef prepared for us before the workshop.
The workshops are intimate, up to 12 people. Equipped with an apron and a chef's knife, you set off! You prepare the dishes, chop the vegetables, make pasta (from scratch!!), and eat with great enjoyment, alongside fine local wines. While the chef guides and explains, you get a true hands-on experience, where you can try your hand at preparing a wide variety of dishes and flavors.
The chef enriches the entire workshop with a wide range of explanations and tips regarding the dishes you prepare, as well as the culinary world in general: which wine pairs well with the meal, which spices enhance the food's flavor, how to tell if fish is fresh, how far in advance a dish can be prepped before serving, and more.
Advance registration is required, details on the company website www.fabiolouscookingday.com
Workshops can be coordinated in advance for small groups, or you can inquire about the rotating menu. Groups interested in a private workshop are invited to contact via email to receive a customized quote, depending on the group size and the requested menu.
In summary, this is a highly recommended and unique experience that will give you the opportunity to get to know the culinary world and Italian kitchen up close, leaving you full and content... A delightful culinary experience – guaranteed!
Caprese salad with fresh Mozzarella di Bufala!
Fresh spaghetti with a perfect tomato sauce!
Ricotta and spinach tortellini. Finger-licking good!
Written by: L. Eldar, Culinary Correspondent