Learn to Cook a Roman Meal

When in Rome.....cook as the Romans do! The Eternal City is famous for a variety of things -- the Colosseum, the Pope, its ancient ruins -- but one thing that many tourists tend to overlook is its centuries-old culinary tradition. What would Italian cuisine be without tasty Roman specialties like saltimbocca alla romana, spaghetti alla carbonara or Jewish style artichokes? This cooking class takes place in a culinary school in the Prati neighborhood of Rome, just a stone's throw from St. Peter's and the Vatican. In this private, hands-on cooking class you will learn how to make a traditional Roman meal using fresh, seasonal ingredients. This class not only teaches you how to prepare a complete menu of dishes, it also covers presentation and garnishing; handy tricks to enhance prepared dishes and lend confidence to the overall culinary experience. And after your class, you'll sit down to a gourmet feast you can be proud of -- buon appetito!

Wine Tastings You Won't Forget

Select Italy is proud to offer a different selection of wine tastings at an establishment that has been recognized as one of the "best Italian eno-tables." In a spectacular and elegant setting, brought to perfection by a two-year renovation that uncovered original arches, marble columns and an ancient Roman wall from the Augustan era, our clients will enjoy a sophisticated wine tasting featuring some of the most superb Italian wines. The experience is enhanced by a selection of carefully chosen appetizers, made by master producers from only the freshest local ingredients. An occasion to remember, perfect for those who wish to spend a special evening in an historic setting with the possibility to stretch the pleasure into a fine dining experience at the Enoteca's excellent restaurant.

Veni, vidi...gustavi - a Spirited Wine Tasting

Salumeria Roscioli deli' boasts 450 different kinds of cheeses, more than 100 different kinds of cured meats, a wine list of some 2,200 labels, 20 different types of homemade bread and a professional team of sommeliers and chefs that are eager to introduce you to Italy's best food and wine. Choose from three different wine & food experiences, to be held in their private tasting room and wine cellar, the recently opened Rimessa Roscioli. Here, in sight of a perfectly working antique Berkel meat slicer from 1955, you'll find all you need for an unforgettable gourmet wine tasting!

Pasta Romana

Pasta was most probably introduced to Italy during the Arab conquest of Sicily during the Middle Ages, but it was the Italians themselves who added the sauce. Today there are hundreds of shapes to choose from, each with its own special name, texture and mouth feel: straight or curvy, hollow or solid, the decision of which pasta shape to use depends on the kind of sauce that will be served with it. The secrets of making fresh pasta from scratch will be revealed in our hands-on cooking class, held at a culinary school in the Prati neighborhood of Rome. Under the expert guidance of our English-speaking chef, you will put on a bright orange apron and learn the traditional techniques for pressing and cutting pasta. Two pasta dishes will be prepared from start to finish, along with homemade sauces to suit each pasta shape. Then comes the best part - you get to sit down and taste the delicious dishes that you have prepared!

Pizza Romana

Italy's most widely known dish is none other than pizza. Why, you ask? Because it's fast, it's flavorful, it's fresh, it's fragrant and it's fantastic! Pizza may be common in the US, but it's nothing like what you'll find in Rome! Pizza, as we know it, was invented in Naples in 1889 to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy. A local chef created the still famous "Pizza Margherita," garnished with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag. Today traditional Italian pizza can be found all over Italy, but Romans have their own special way of preparing it. At this culinary school in the Prati neighborhood of Rome, you'll put on a bright orange apron and learn how to make genuine pizza alla Romana -- a thin-crusted, hand-tossed pizza that is all crunchy goodness. You'll make a variety of pizzas with traditional Roman toppings and, with the help of our chef, you will create a pizza buffet for lunch. When you leave Rome, you'll be taking home a new skill that will wow your friends!

At the Roman Market

One of the most accurate stereotypes about Italy is that the "Italians don't eat to live, they live to eat!" And Romans eat (and cook) with a special brio that is also expressed in the city's vibrant and colorful markets. This half-day lesson combines a market visit with the hands-on preparation of an authentic, multi-course Roman meal. You will meet Valeria, a native Roman, at her cooking school in the Prati neighborhood of Rome and accompany her to an eclectic Roman market. She'll show you how to navigate the market stalls without getting flustered, how to purchase just what you need and how to use these same ingredients to prepare tasty and characteristic dishes. Then you'll return to the cooking school to prepare and enjoy a traditional Roman meal, using the fresh ingredients you found at the market. You will learn the secrets of Italian cuisine while having fun with people that share your passion for food. And you'll realize that you have paid not only for an excellent class, but also for an exquisite meal!

La Dolce Vita: Desserts and Gelato

Life is short and your vacation even shorter... so eat dessert first! Bring la dolce vita to your kitchen by learning to make scrumptious Italian gelato and desserts. Whether you're a cooking enthusiast or a novice, this cooking class promises to be both informative and entertaining. At this culinary school in the Prati neighborhood of Rome, you'll learn how to prepare gelato, Italy's incomparable ice cream -- high in flavor, low in fat and one of the country’s most famous exports. This frozen delight first appeared during banquets at the Medici court in 16th century Florence when Bernardo Buontalenti presented his recipe and his innovative refrigerating techniques to Catherine de' Medici. In addition to gelato, you'll make three other popular Italian desserts: torta caprese, tiramisu and a creamy mousse made with fresh ricotta cheese; then you will get to devour your creations at the end of the lesson. These authentic recipes will provide the perfect ending to all your home-cooked, Italian meals and are sure to impress your guests, no matter their age. What a sweet way to spend an afternoon!