About this tour
Learn to make Ligurian pesto from scratch in La Spezia with a local cook who knows the traditional techniques. You'll pound basil, garlic, pine nuts and cheese by hand, then sit down to eat what you've made—trofie coated in your pesto, followed by a regional dessert. The two-and-a-half-hour session includes a glass of local wine and runs in English or Italian. This is how people in Liguria actually make it, not a tourist version.
Highlights
- Hand-pound authentic Ligurian pesto with a local expert
- Eat trofie dressed in the pesto you just made
- Regional wine and traditional Italian dessert included
- Small group, hands-on approach in La Spezia
- Learn techniques to replicate at home
- Two-and-a-half hours, morning or afternoon slot
What to expect
You'll arrive at a local cook's kitchen and get straight to work. Your host will show you how to select and prepare each ingredient—basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese—then walk you through the traditional hand-pounding method. It's a working session, so you'll be actively involved, not watching a demo. Once your pesto is ready, you'll cook fresh trofie pasta and dress it with your sauce. You'll eat together, taste the wine, and finish with a proper dessert. Expect to get your hands dirty and leave with real cooking knowledge.
Good to know
Wear clothes you don't mind getting stained. The session fills small groups, so book ahead. Public transport connects easily to the venue. Dietary requirements should be noted when booking.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.