Learning how to cook authentic Italian dishes is something that many aspire to, and what better place for it than Venice. The city is known for its seafood and cicchetti, snacks and finger food served in bacaro or wine bars.
One of the Best Venice Cooking Classes
One cookery course that gets universally positive reviews on TripAdvisor as the best Venice cooking class is Enrica Rocca Cooking School. Enrica was born in Venice and knows the city’s foodie spots very well.
Her classes start with a visit to the Rialto Food Market, and that’s where we met up with her and the rest of the group.
Enrica Rocca
Our friendly classmates were from South Carolina and Massachusetts and keen cooks. Enrica herself is an engaging person who also arranges private dinners in Venetian palaces for luxury brands in addition to running her cookery courses.
She has also written a book featuring Venice recipes, photographed on beautiful Murano glass plates.
She explained to us that there are less people now living in Venice and therefore the market’s stall holders find it harder to make a living. Some are now selling dried herbs in sachets rather than the fresh version as many of their clientele are not Venetians. Thankfully, there are still plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Just look at the colors of these beauties! Enrica showed us how to choose the freshest fish by lifting up the gills to check that they are red.
10 Best Off The Beaten Path Venice Attractions
She also advised that when visiting a market, you should go not with a specific ingredient list in mind. Instead, choose from the freshest and most appealing products available on the day.
All’Arco Cicchetti
Once our shopping was done, Enrica took us to one of her favourite cicchetti places, All’Arco. Its name comes from its location, tucked away on a backstreet beneath an arch.
This cosy Venice ciccheteria serves up small open sandwiches and other snacks that go nicely with an Aperol Spritz – definitely one of the best hidden gems in Venice.
Dorsodouro Cooking Class
We then took a private water taxi to Enrica’s colourful home in Dorsoduro, to begin the cooking. One of our classmates explained that she had chosen Enrica’s Venice cooking class not just because of the rave reviews but also as she goes ahead even if one or two people cancel.
This is in contrast to some other places where unless there’s a full class, it may not go ahead.
Enrica welcomed us with a chilled glass of her family’s own Prosecco wine. It had very fine bubbles and a pleasing fruity taste. She then introduced us to her daughter Charlotte, whom Paul and I had previously met with her sister Claire at their Notting Hill cookery school.
In both London and Venice, Paul and I appreciated the fact that we were all given different tasks to do. That meant that we didn’t struggle to keep up and could all help our classmates out.
We also got to meet Enrica’s cute dog, who slept through most of the class.
Paul prepared a tuna tartare with chopped avocado and coriander by dicing the fish into cubes, then adding lime juice and a Japanese sauce. It is not easy to get hold of in Venice but Enrica finds that it gives the dish an added dimension. She also recommends Maldon salt from Britain for seasoning many recipes.
Next we cooked Venetian baby shrimps, fished from the lagoon. They were dipped in flour before being briefly deep fried and were utterly delicious.
We chopped up lemon zest into a very fine julienne. Being left-handed, I always find this a bit of a challenge but Enrica patiently showed me the correct way to hold the knife for maximum efficiency.
We then prepared langoustines by removing the head and shell, whilst the others chopped up pumpkin and shelled beans for a warming Autumnal soup. Aren’t the pods just beautiful?
Meanwhile, one of our fellow classmates cleaned the wild mushrooms with a special brush.
In no time at all, our dishes were ready to enjoy. Accompanied by more of that delicious Prosecco, we savoured the efforts of our labour and I have to say it was all very tasty.
Paul’s favorite was the deep-fried shrimps whilst I had a soft spot for the bean and chorizo soup. A mozzarella and tomato salad was bursting with flavor. The veal and mushroom fricassee was equally moreish.
As for the langoustines, they worked really well with the courgette, herb and lemon. It made a very attractive plate of food.
My one regret is that we had to leave before the dessert as we had an appointment. Enrica does advise not to reserve an evening restaurant on the day of your class as you’re likely to be full!
However, here’s a photo of the tiramisu that we made in London, it’s a family recipe so you can be sure it will be as good in Venice. We thoroughly enjoyed this Venice cookery school, not just for the skills that we learnt but also for the tips on Venice off the beaten path and the fun company.
This is one of the best cooking classes in Venice that we’ve tried so far. Have you ever been on a cookery class?
Enrica Rocca, Dorsoduro 568/A – 30123 Venice, Italy
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Oh no how could you miss dessert! That’s my favourite part of any meal hehehehe. This class sounds like such a unique and wonderful experience. Nothing like touring a town with a local and learning new recipes along the way too.
Sxx
www.daringcoco.com
We really had to tear ourselves away from the tiramisu. It was great to see Venice with a local
How fabulous that you were able to attend Enrica’s cooking school in Venice too! The fried shrimp and mozzarella and tomato salad has got me! What a shame that the market stallers are finding it more difficult to make a living
It is hard for the market stallholders, there are just not as many residents of Venice as there were before. The shrimps were so good, I couldn’t stop eating them
How amazing to meet the family in Venice too! I love the fact that they have their own prosecco!
It’s a real family affair and their prosecco is wonderful
Yes I was sad to miss dessert but I guess my waist will thank me for it 😉 Certainly made up for it on the other evenings
Tiramisu is Paul’s fave too. The class was fun from start to finish, Elle
Learning to cook authentic Italian dishes in *Venice* of all places truly does sounds like an incredible experience!
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
It really is the perfect place for it, Gabrielle
Italian cuisine is a favourite and the opportunity to forage and cook certainly gets my vote. Lucy x (FOODIEFORCE)
Selecting the food ourselves was great and the market is very atmospheric
The best Italian food is indeed in Italy. Everything looks so fresh and appealing!
We’re pretty lucky with Italian restaurants in London, I was at a great one called Antico last night, but I agree that it’s even better in Italy
The food looks wonderful and a nice opportunity to learn how to make it. We had a Sicilian student teach us a couple of dishes but they were simpler than the ones you show in your photos.
That must have been fun, I love the food in Sicily
Just looking at those fresh produce makes me want to cook. I love Italian food and learning from someone who knows the secrets of the Italian cuisine is the best.
We learnt a lot from Enrica but I loved the fact that it was so informal – no pressure to be the best, just to enjoy!
HA! I feel u coz I’m a lefty too…ugh sometimes it’s a curse too ;)! Aww totally love the little doggy!Like I can read it was a great experience:) cool
xo
Yaya
www.yayavanchique.com