The only cooking class where a world champion, Camilla Pizzorno, winner of the World Pesto al Mortaio Championship, reveals her recipe, her secrets… and lets you taste an authentic Ligurian menu.

1. The ingredients
   You'll be welcomed in a typical Ligurian garden surrounded by greenery during the summer, or in a covered and heated outdoor area in the winter months, to enjoy an authentic Italian experience at any time of the year.
   We'll start by exploring the essential ingredients of Genoese Pesto: the scent of Genovese D.O.P. basil, Vessalico garlic, Italian pine nuts, Parmigiano Reggiano aged for 24 months, Fiore Sardo pecorino cheese, extra virgin olive oil from the Ligurian Riviera, and coarse salt.
   You'll learn to recognize their quality and role in each step.

2. Genoese Pesto in a mortar
   With a large, century-old Carrara marble mortar and olive wood pestle, Camilla will guide you step by step in the preparation of your pesto, following the original technique and gestures handed down through generations.
   You'll crush and mix the ingredients by hand, learning how to enhance their flavors and create the right color and texture.

3. Tasting mortar-made pesto
   We'll taste the freshly prepared pesto with Genoese focaccia and a typical Ligurian pasta, like homemade trofie.

4. Mortar-made walnut sauce
   We'll continue the experience by preparing walnut sauce in a mortar, an ancient recipe that's rare to find today. Creamy and delicate, it's made from simple, wholesome ingredients: Italian walnuts, garlic, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and a touch of marjoram.

5. Tasting the walnut sauce
   You'll get to taste the walnut sauce with a plate of pansoti, a fresh filled pasta typical of our tradition, paired with this sauce.

6. Traditional dessert and final toast
   The tour will end with a traditional dessert, the famous Italian tiramisu.
   All accompanied by wine from the Riviera, liqueurs, and Italian grappas.

7. A souvenir to take home
   At the end, you'll receive the original recipe of the Champion in PDF via text message, along with photos and videos of the experience (if you wish), as well as a small special gift to take a piece of Liguria with you.

*Who's Camilla Pizzorno?
Camilla Pizzorno is the youngest winner in the history of the World Pesto al Mortaio Championship, a title she won by beating over a hundred competitors from all over the world, including internationally renowned chefs.
Born and raised amidst the scent of basil and her grandmother's skilled gestures, she transformed a family tradition into culinary excellence.

Important note

1. If you have any allergies or intolerances, please let us know when you book.
2. If you're celebrating a birthday or special occasion, a homemade cake can be included on request: if available, we'll offer it as a welcome and celebratory gesture!