Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Daniela

Rome, Italy

USD
$260-$390 per person

Authentic Italian Cuisine in Rome

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Daniela

Born in Naples, Daniela has a wealth of knowledge about Italian culinary and cultural traditions. She moved to Rome when she was six but continues to embody the Neapolitan spirit with her friendly and welcoming personality. She learned to cook as a young girl watching her mother and grandmother passionately work in the kitchen. Now as a mother herself, Daniela has passed on her love for cooking to her youngest son Francesco, a chef at a 3 Michelin star restaurant outside of Lyon. Francesco now gives Daniela tips on food presentation. After working for Alitalia for 26 years and studying at the famous Cordon Bleu, Daniela opened a catering business and teaches cooking classes. She also works as a private chef on occasion. Daniela currently lives in a classic Roman apartment with her son Eduardo and her husband Giovanni on the Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. She is very passionate about discovering new cooking techniques for her dishes, cooking for other people, and making friends all over the world. In her home, Daniela prepares authentic Roman, Napolitano, and Sicilian food. Roman cuisine is comprised of a few ingredients such as pancetta, guanciale and pecorino to make sauces such as carbonara and amatriciana. Napolitano cuisine is composed of a variety of ingredients such as eggplant, zucchini and potatoes combined with the heavy use of garlic, tomatoes and basil. Pizza, of course, is traditional Neapolitan. Sicilian dishes tend to be seafood heavy with fresh vegetables, dried fruits and spices.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (4-8 guests) Sit down with Daniela to share a tasty, regional meal together. Start your meal with an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) and listen to stories about her family, her favorite culinary traditions, and Italian cultural heritage. You will enjoy the delicious, traditional meal over wine in Daniela’s dining room or outside if the weather is good.

You can choose between one of three menus when you book. Your Roman menu might include dishes such as amatriciana or carbonara as a primi, saltimbocca or chicken cacciatore as a secondo, and a seasonal vegetable like peas with pancetta and onion as a side. Your Napolitano menu might include paccheri ragu, spaghetti puttanesca or spaghetti sciue sciue, polpette (meatballs) or involtini Napolitano (beef rolls with provolone, nuts and herbs) and dessert. Your Sicilian menu might include dishes such as pasta la norma (rigatoni in a tomato sauce with eggplant, garlic and basil garnished with salted ricotta) or pasta with sardines in a garlic, olive oil and breadcrumbs sauce, involtini di pesce spada (sword fish rolls with eggplant) or arancini (stuffed rice balls). All menus conclude with a dessert such as tiramisu or panna cotta.

If Daniela’s husband Giovanni is in town, he may join you for dinner. The price of the experience includes wine.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) Roll up your sleeves and join Daniela in the kitchen to learn how to prepare an authentic Roman, Napolitano or Sicilian meal. You will learn to make 3 dishes, a primi, secondo and dessert from scratch. If you have dishes you'd like to prepare, such as fresh pasta from scratch, please let Daniela know in advance. In addition, please let her know if you have any special dietary requirements, or allergies. She does her best to cater for different diets, however please bear in mind that nuts and other foods are regularly prepared in the kitchen. The cooking lesson should last for about 3 hours.

Market visit: (2-6 guests) Meet Daniela at the Testaccio market in front of the Macro Museum of Testaccio. As you sit at a local bar, you will discuss the history of the market, what foods are in season and what you like to eat. You will then pick fresh, seasonal produce and various ingredients from Daniela’s preferred vendors in the market for about an hour. You might also get to try a piece of local fruit or pizza before driving with Daniela to her home on the Aventine Hill.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Stuffed handmade ravioli “Almalfi Style” with fresh ricotta and lemon
  • Beef meatball with tomato sauce
  • Sauteed Roman Broccolo
  • Fresh ricotta and dark chocolate cake

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
The experience with Daniela was fantastic, she was very welcoming and made the recipes accessible if you did not have much cooking experience. The dishes were thoughtful and absolutely delicious! Daniela was extremely knowledgeable and even was able to explain which ingredients you could use from your region (in our case, United States) if the authentic Italian ingredients she used were not accessible. Our group was able to learn new skills, enjoy a delicious meal, appreciate the hospitality of a Roman local and make many new memories and laughs along the way. I would highly recommend this experience!
- Christie B September 16, 2018
49e18d75 014c 425a 94de a57d6c855d79

Daniela

$260-$390 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $294 $260
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $342 $308
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $390 $358
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $294 $260
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $342 $308
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $390 $358
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-4:00pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-2:30pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-2:30pm

Meet Daniela

Born in Naples, Daniela has a wealth of knowledge about Italian culinary and cultural traditions. She moved to Rome when she was six but continues to embody the Neapolitan spirit with her friendly and welcoming personality. She learned to cook as a young girl watching her mother and grandmother passionately work in the kitchen. Now as a mother herself, Daniela has passed on her love for cooking to her youngest son Francesco, a chef at a 3 Michelin star restaurant outside of Lyon. Francesco now gives Daniela tips on food presentation. After working for Alitalia for 26 years and studying at the famous Cordon Bleu, Daniela opened a catering business and teaches cooking classes. She also works as a private chef on occasion. Daniela currently lives in a classic Roman apartment with her son Eduardo and her husband Giovanni on the Aventine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. She is very passionate about discovering new cooking techniques for her dishes, cooking for other people, and making friends all over the world. In her home, Daniela prepares authentic Roman, Napolitano, and Sicilian food. Roman cuisine is comprised of a few ingredients such as pancetta, guanciale and pecorino to make sauces such as carbonara and amatriciana. Napolitano cuisine is composed of a variety of ingredients such as eggplant, zucchini and potatoes combined with the heavy use of garlic, tomatoes and basil. Pizza, of course, is traditional Neapolitan. Sicilian dishes tend to be seafood heavy with fresh vegetables, dried fruits and spices.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (4-8 guests) Sit down with Daniela to share a tasty, regional meal together. Start your meal with an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) and listen to stories about her family, her favorite culinary traditions, and Italian cultural heritage. You will enjoy the delicious, traditional meal over wine in Daniela’s dining room or outside if the weather is good.

You can choose between one of three menus when you book. Your Roman menu might include dishes such as amatriciana or carbonara as a primi, saltimbocca or chicken cacciatore as a secondo, and a seasonal vegetable like peas with pancetta and onion as a side. Your Napolitano menu might include paccheri ragu, spaghetti puttanesca or spaghetti sciue sciue, polpette (meatballs) or involtini Napolitano (beef rolls with provolone, nuts and herbs) and dessert. Your Sicilian menu might include dishes such as pasta la norma (rigatoni in a tomato sauce with eggplant, garlic and basil garnished with salted ricotta) or pasta with sardines in a garlic, olive oil and breadcrumbs sauce, involtini di pesce spada (sword fish rolls with eggplant) or arancini (stuffed rice balls). All menus conclude with a dessert such as tiramisu or panna cotta.

If Daniela’s husband Giovanni is in town, he may join you for dinner. The price of the experience includes wine.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) Roll up your sleeves and join Daniela in the kitchen to learn how to prepare an authentic Roman, Napolitano or Sicilian meal. You will learn to make 3 dishes, a primi, secondo and dessert from scratch. If you have dishes you'd like to prepare, such as fresh pasta from scratch, please let Daniela know in advance. In addition, please let her know if you have any special dietary requirements, or allergies. She does her best to cater for different diets, however please bear in mind that nuts and other foods are regularly prepared in the kitchen. The cooking lesson should last for about 3 hours.

Market visit: (2-6 guests) Meet Daniela at the Testaccio market in front of the Macro Museum of Testaccio. As you sit at a local bar, you will discuss the history of the market, what foods are in season and what you like to eat. You will then pick fresh, seasonal produce and various ingredients from Daniela’s preferred vendors in the market for about an hour. You might also get to try a piece of local fruit or pizza before driving with Daniela to her home on the Aventine Hill.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Stuffed handmade ravioli “Almalfi Style” with fresh ricotta and lemon
  • Beef meatball with tomato sauce
  • Sauteed Roman Broccolo
  • Fresh ricotta and dark chocolate cake

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
The experience with Daniela was fantastic, she was very welcoming and made the recipes accessible if you did not have much cooking experience. The dishes were thoughtful and absolutely delicious! Daniela was extremely knowledgeable and even was able to explain which ingredients you could use from your region (in our case, United States) if the authentic Italian ingredients she used were not accessible. Our group was able to learn new skills, enjoy a delicious meal, appreciate the hospitality of a Roman local and make many new memories and laughs along the way. I would highly recommend this experience!
- Christie B September 16, 2018
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $294 $260
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $342 $308
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $390 $358
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $294 $260
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $342 $308
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $390 $358
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-4:00pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-2:30pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-2:30pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.