Market Day Cooking Class in Genoa

The Market Day Cooking Class in Genoa is run by A Small Kitchen in Genoa, a small business led by Enrica Monzani in the capital of Italy's Liguria region. It begins at the Mercato Orientale, Genoa's main covered food market, at 9:30AM and ends around 2:00PM, for a total of about four and a half hours. The first stop is a traditional pastry shop for coffee and local sweets. A one-hour guided market tour with tastings follows, introducing seasonal produce, cheeses, fish and Ligurian ingredients. A taxi from the market to the host's home is included, after which guests spend about four hours cooking three dishes by hand. The class closes with lunch on the terrace or in an air-conditioned dining room, served with Ligurian wine, and an English recipe booklet is provided. Menus follow the season. Handmade pasta such as tagliatelle, corzetti, mandilli de sea or gnocchi with mortar pesto, pansotti in walnut sauce or pasta with clams make up the first course. A main such as stewed rabbit, stuffed anchovies or focaccia di Recco follows, with a side, and a dessert such as canestrelli or stuffed baked peaches rounds off the menu. The balance is therefore mostly savoury with one dessert. Prices start at €180 (about $207) per person; children under 12 pay €120 (about $138) and under-fives are free. The class is conducted in English and is capped at six guests, which keeps the pace unhurried and allows every participant to handle the dough and sauces. Vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan options are available, and allergies should be mentioned when booking so the menu can be adjusted. A full refund applies if the booking is cancelled more than 72 hours ahead. Guests commonly wear closed shoes and clothing that can take a little flour, and come with an appetite after the market tastings. Enquiries and bookings can be made through enrica@asmallkitcheningenoa.com.