When planning our trip to the Eternal City, I knew we had to find activities that the whole family would enjoy. While the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps were definitely on our list, we wanted something that would give us a deeper connection to Rome’s rich history and culture. That’s how we ended up booking a private cooking class with a local chef, and let me tell you—it was the best decision we made. Not only was it a highlight of our trip, but it was also the most fun and engaging activity for our kids. If you’re heading to Rome with your family, this is the best Rome cooking class with kids.
About the Class
We took the Cook With Us in Rome cooking class with the wonderful Gianni as our guide. There are a lot of family-friendly cooking classes available in Rome, but I was looking for one that we could book as a private class. The class I booked is available as a private experience, and costs around 280 euros per person. For a more budget-friendly option, they offer a group class for 120 euros per person. Both options include a market tour, where you’ll pick out the freshest ingredients, and a hands-on cooking session that covers making fresh pasta, authentic Italian pizza, and a delicious dessert like tiramisu. The class is designed for families, making it perfect for keeping kids engaged while learning new skills together. This would be a great foodie experience for adults-only groups as well. Gianni was great with our family, but I could see this being equally as fun for adults.
You’ll also get to enjoy unlimited prosecco or wine as you cook, and a glass of red wine or white wine with your meal as well as soft drinks for the kids, all in a cozy dining room. Whether you’re traveling with younger children or just want to enjoy a more personalized cooking experience, this class is a great way to immerse yourself in Rome’s rich culinary traditions.
The Market Tour
Our cooking adventure began in central Rome, just a stone’s throw from Piazza Navona, where we met Gianni, our warm and friendly English-speaking chef from Cook With Us in Rome. The meeting point was a charming little café, and after a quick coffee, we headed out on a market tour to pick up the freshest ingredients for our Italian meal.
Walking through this local market was like stepping into a postcard—vendors shouting, the smell of fresh produce in the air, and stalls brimming with vibrant fruits, vegetables, and aromatic olive oil. This market tour was the perfect opportunity for the kids to see where their food comes from, and they were excited to help pick out the fresh ingredients for the dishes we’d be making later.
Gianni explained that this market is one of the last open-air markets in Rome and a real treasure in the heart of Rome. The kids were all in, helping to select the tomatoes, basil, and Roman broccoli that we’d be cooking with later. The market tour was more than just shopping—it was an experience in itself, giving us a real taste of Roman life and the importance of using the freshest ingredients in every dish.
Hands-On Cooking Experience
After our market adventure, we walked through the picturesque streets of Trastevere to Gianni’s cooking school. The neighborhood is full of character, with its cobblestone streets and colorful buildings—a great place for a leisurely stroll, even with younger children. Once we arrived at the school, the real fun began.
Here are the amazing recipes we created:
- Fresh pasta
- Classic tomato sauce
- Gnocchi with a goat cheese and broccoli sauce
- Stuffed and fried zucchini blossoms
- Roman-style artichokes
- Tiramisu
The menu changes regularly, and you can ask to customize the dishes if you are taking a private class. Though we didn’t get to make classics like cacio e pepe or authentic Italian pizza, these may be options depending on the time of year that you book and the ingredients in season.
We kicked things off by learning how to make fresh pasta from scratch, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Gianni was an expert chef and a great teacher, guiding us through every step of the process. It was amazing to see the kids so excited about making different pasta shapes like fettuccine and gnocchi.
The whole family got involved, and even our youngest was thrilled to get his hands dirty.
Next, we made a classic tomato sauce using the ingredients we’d picked up at the market. Watching the sauce simmer as we continued cooking was so satisfying, and it made the dining room smell heavenly. But that was just the beginning.
We didn’t stop there! Gianni showed us how to stuff and fry zucchini blossoms—a delicate and elegant starter that quickly became a favorite. The blossoms were filled with mozzarella and anchovies, lightly battered, and then fried to perfection. The kids didn’t love this one as much, but the adults enjoyed the crispy outside and the melty cheese inside.
We also learned to prepare Roman-style artichokes, which was a bit more involved but totally worth it. We trimmed and seasoned the artichokes before cooking them in a mixture of olive oil and white wine until tender. Though it was a bit challenging, it was a great opportunity to work with a local vegetable in a traditional way.
To finish off, we made a classic tiramisu. Gianni guided us through each step, from whipping the mascarpone to layering the gluten free ladyfingers soaked in espresso. It was the perfect way to end our cooking session, and the kids were especially proud of their creations.
By the end of the class, the table was filled with all the dishes we’d made: fresh pasta with tomato sauce and gnocchi with a cheesy broccoli sauce, crispy zucchini blossoms, tender Roman artichokes, and creamy tiramisu. It was a feast we’d crafted together, and every bite tasted even better, knowing the hard work and love that had gone into it.
Handling Food Allergies
Gianni was great with my family’s food allergies. I talked with him ahead of time to see what our options are. If you’re a frequent reader, you know that my husband is allergic to gluten and my son is allergic to nuts. I never thought that we would be able to make homemade pasta that was also gluten free, but they pulled it off! Gianni was up front about not being able to provide a truly cross-contamination-free environment, since they use the same space for other classes where the ingredients contain gluten. Luckily, that wasn’t an issue for us, as my husband’s allergy is not so severe that he cannot be exposed to gluten at all. I would say this is one of the best cooking classes for people with food allergies, because they let me know their abilities and limitations to accommodate us.
None of the dishes contained nuts, and Gianni said they typically don’t cook with nuts, making it a friendly and safe environment for my son. We had a great time knowing that everyone was able to eat everything we prepared!
Savoring Our Homemade Dishes
After all that hard work, it was finally time to sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes we had made. We gathered around the table in the cozy dining room, and it felt so rewarding to see our fresh handmade pasta and our elegant starter of stuffed zucchini blossoms laid out before us. We paired our meal with a glass of wine for the adults and soft drinks for the kids—a great way to toast our successful cooking adventure.
The main courses were incredible, and they were easily the best pasta dishes I’ve had in Rome—and I’ve had a lot of pasta! The tomato sauce we simmered earlier was perfect with the fettuccine, full of flavor and freshness that you can only get when you’re working with top-quality ingredients. And let’s not forget the tiramisu—a classic Italian dessert that we made from scratch. The kids loved layering the ingredients, and the end result was absolutely delicious.
Why This Cooking Class is the Ideal Choice for Families
What made this experience truly special was how family-friendly it was. Gianni was amazing with the kids, keeping them engaged throughout the entire process. This wasn’t just a family cooking class; it was an interactive, hands-on experience that allowed the whole family to learn new skills while having a fun time. The class was the perfect balance of fun and education, making it one of the best things we did on our trip.
For families traveling to Rome, this cooking class offers a great opportunity to connect with the city’s culinary traditions in a way that’s both enjoyable and memorable. It’s also a great way to spend quality time together, away from the usual tourist spots, and to experience something truly authentic in the Eternal City.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a unique and memorable way to explore Rome, I can’t recommend this family-friendly cooking class enough. It’s not just about learning to cook—it’s about connecting with the culture, spending time with your loved ones, and creating delicious food that you can recreate at home. The best part? You leave with the exact recipes that you can then use to bring a taste of real Italian food back to your own kitchen. We had so much fun, ate great food, and got to dive into authentic Italian cuisine – I can guarantee that neither of my kids would have tried a stuffed zucchini blossom or a steamed artichoke if they hadn’t had the unique experience of preparing it themselves.
Whether you’re traveling with younger children, looking for a great way to spend a day in Rome, or just want to try something different, this cooking class is the perfect choice. The fresh pasta, the rich tomato sauce, the authentic Italian pizza—we loved every minute of it. And I’m sure you will, too.
So, if you find yourself in Rome and want to experience something truly special, book this unforgettable culinary adventure. It’s the best way to make the most of your time in the Eternal City, and I promise it’s an experience you and your family will never forget.
Here’s that link again if you’re ready to start your own cooking adventure in Rome. Trust me, there’s no better place to learn the art of Italian cooking than in the heart of Rome with a local chef!
More Inspiration
If you’re looking for more inspiration on your family trip to Rome, check out these other activities we loved:
