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Host: Laura

Venice, Italy

USD
$102-$130 per person

Cooking class in central Venice with a fun loving local

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

Meet Laura

Laura is a true-blue Venetian - born and raised in Venice, she lives in a beautiful apartment in the city center. Laura is a social worker and works on women empowerment projects. In her spare time, she loves to travel, watch movies, go to the market and of course, cook! She first learned to cook watching her mother in the kitchen and went to experiment with different recipes from cookbooks. Laura truly enjoys cooking for friends and family!

“During my travels in South America I discovered the home-cooking experience and fell in love with the concept! I would love to share the food and culture of my city with travelers, especially in Venice, where it is so difficult to connect with locals.”

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: (2-4 guests) Laura lives in a cozy home located in a lovely neighborhood, only a 20-minute walk from the city center. The neighborhood is very local with not many tourists so you will get to experience a real Italian suburb. Laura learned to cook traditional dishes from her mother and she likes to serve local dishes from Veneto. She only uses fresh and organic ingredients from the local farmers. Laura is also an expert in vegetarian food, as she was a vegetarian for 10 years (but not anymore!). A few dishes that you might share with Laura at her dining table include polenta with creamed cod, fresh pasta or tortelli with organic vegetables and local cheese. End your meal with a dessert of tiramisu and coffee.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Join Laura in her small but well-equipped kitchen to discover the secrets of Veneto cuisine over local wine and crispy parmesan chips. During your 1-hour hands-on cooking class with Laura, you will learn to make a seasonal, creamy risotto and a decadent tiramisu dessert. Learn how to prepare the mascarpone cream for this rich dessert and create your own portion of tiramisu. As you cook, hear as Laura regales you with stories about the history and origin of the dishes you are preparing.

Market visit: (2-4 guests) Meet Laura directly at the Santa Margherita market, which is located about 20 min by foot from Laura’s home. Laura loves visiting markets and is excited to help you explore these local gems and discover locally grown produce. She will introduce you to her favorite vendors as you stop at a few shops to purchase ingredients for your cooking class. After the market tour walk back to Maria's home for your cooking + meal experience.

Notes: Please note that Laura can offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals on request. Please indicate your preference when creating a booking online. On occasion, Laura's friend and roommate Ilaria, another native Venetian in her thirties might be present during your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, 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.
  • Welcome Drink
  • Risotto
  • Tiramisu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Laura is very friendly and welcoming. Very easy and interesting person to talk to. It was a very interesting experience. Besides that, she is a great cook and she knows how to make delicious food. You can really taste the goodness and freshness in her food. Laura’s home is located in an area which is very local with not many tourists, so you will get to experience a real Italian suburb. Cooking Veneto food with Laura is a great experience. You will learn a lot about the food, how to cook some new dishes and also you will have a pleasure being part of Laura’s company.

Pauline, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (13)
Chef Laura is the best. So friendly and knowledgeable. She taught us how to make a delicious tomato risotto and tiramisu. She took us to a local vegetable market that was on a boat. Highly recommend.
- LauraM June 07, 2023
This was an outstanding activity. Our host Laura was fabulous and made the day. We were a family of four, 2 kids aged 12 and everyone got involved with the cooking. Laura was so welcoming to us in to her home. I really cannot recommend this tour more highly.
- gillriggs June 02, 2023
This cooking class was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice. The food was delicious and unique and Laura did everything to make sure that she was providing food we would like! Laura is an excellent cook and host and we are so grateful we got a chance to get to know her. This was the first time we have done a cooking class like this and we are so happy we did!
- Jill December 27, 2022
We loved our evening with Laura our chef and consummate Venetian hostess! She greeted us with appetizers and Aperol Spritz and we chatted a bit before digging into our wonderful cooking experience. We made Tiramisu first so that it cooled before beginning our main course. Then, we made risotto with delicious small tomatoes, homemade pesto and burrito! Our cooking lesson was unique and memorable during our Italian visit! I highly recommend this experience for any traveler to Venice!
- Karl December 27, 2022
Traveling alone one doesn’t expect much in the way of connection. My first time in Venice in November is an experience of cool temperatures and confusion. Confirming the location of the pick up was conducted via email. Laura went one step further. Offering to meet me outside of my hotel entrance. Walking together through Venice, highlighting interesting locations. We progressed our way to the vegetable boat, the wine shop, the sausage butcher and back to her apartment. Her class brought a flavor of connection and personality. Laura is the consummate hostess, her kindness, friendship and connection made this a day I will remember. Starting with Tiramisu and progressing to Risotto. The meal was magic. . Thank you Laura. Cannot wait to return in the future
- paulsV November 26, 2022
This was an amazing experience - a patient teacher who is very knowledgeable. Loved the market tour. Family home cooking experience was very good - highly recommended
- ruthhT9 September 15, 2022
Laura is generous with her knowledge and an engaging teacher. We began class at an extraordinary produce market on a boat and purchased local wine from a knowledgeable shopkeeper. In her kitchen she offered expert and precise instructions while explaining her technique and how we could adapt her recipes for more guests in the future. We finished with a festive and delicious lunch of lemon rosemary risotto and tiramisu with sparkling rose.
- Carolyn K September 14, 2022
Oh my gosh. Such a treat for my daughter and I to shop and then cook risotto and tiramisu with Laura in her home. When I travel I like to experience the real country as much as I can and Laura provided this. Not only is she a great cook but she opened her house to us like we were long, lost friends.
- Teresita July 24, 2022
Great recipes that can be used with many variations. Laura is very patient and gladly shares her skills
- Elisabeth July 23, 2022
Laura was wonderful in showing us around the neighborhood markets, teaching us to make tiramisu and risotto. She made the morning fly by with fantastic conversation. We thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class and meeting her. It was a true taste of Venice in every way.
- Christina April 17, 2022
A wonderful sunny autumn day in Venice with LAURA! The cheerful Venetian went with us to the vegetable ship, to the fish and wine merchant. We laughed and tasted the fresh Torbolino and many other grape juice. Me and my three boys (1 son + 2 of his school friends) dived under the skin of Venice! Later in Laura's home a real cooking party started with a supervisor (me). Laura showed up and my boys acted nimbly until a delicious lemon shrimp risotto and a heavenly tiramisu were on the table. There was also Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. What a day! Thank you very much and ALL LOVE, Laura. Kurt and the 3 boys. (translated by Google)
- kurtparzer October 31, 2021
What a wonderful morning. Laura was an amazing host. We shopped for our ingredients and then returned to her charming home. We made tiramisu and lemon, rosemary, & shrimp risotto. She also taught me how to make spritz biancho. I will be back prossimo estate! Grazie.
- Angela_B July 03, 2021
Laura was fantastic. The entire experience, from going to the local market to cooking a typical Venetian meal was great! Plus we learned so much about Venetian culture, as well.
- sherwoodforrest May 27, 2019
Read More
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Laura

$102-$130 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+ ppl
In-Home Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $121 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $130 Not offered
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $121 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $130 Not offered
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:30am-1:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
9:30am-1:30pm

Meet Laura

Laura is a true-blue Venetian - born and raised in Venice, she lives in a beautiful apartment in the city center. Laura is a social worker and works on women empowerment projects. In her spare time, she loves to travel, watch movies, go to the market and of course, cook! She first learned to cook watching her mother in the kitchen and went to experiment with different recipes from cookbooks. Laura truly enjoys cooking for friends and family!

“During my travels in South America I discovered the home-cooking experience and fell in love with the concept! I would love to share the food and culture of my city with travelers, especially in Venice, where it is so difficult to connect with locals.”

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: (2-4 guests) Laura lives in a cozy home located in a lovely neighborhood, only a 20-minute walk from the city center. The neighborhood is very local with not many tourists so you will get to experience a real Italian suburb. Laura learned to cook traditional dishes from her mother and she likes to serve local dishes from Veneto. She only uses fresh and organic ingredients from the local farmers. Laura is also an expert in vegetarian food, as she was a vegetarian for 10 years (but not anymore!). A few dishes that you might share with Laura at her dining table include polenta with creamed cod, fresh pasta or tortelli with organic vegetables and local cheese. End your meal with a dessert of tiramisu and coffee.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Join Laura in her small but well-equipped kitchen to discover the secrets of Veneto cuisine over local wine and crispy parmesan chips. During your 1-hour hands-on cooking class with Laura, you will learn to make a seasonal, creamy risotto and a decadent tiramisu dessert. Learn how to prepare the mascarpone cream for this rich dessert and create your own portion of tiramisu. As you cook, hear as Laura regales you with stories about the history and origin of the dishes you are preparing.

Market visit: (2-4 guests) Meet Laura directly at the Santa Margherita market, which is located about 20 min by foot from Laura’s home. Laura loves visiting markets and is excited to help you explore these local gems and discover locally grown produce. She will introduce you to her favorite vendors as you stop at a few shops to purchase ingredients for your cooking class. After the market tour walk back to Maria's home for your cooking + meal experience.

Notes: Please note that Laura can offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals on request. Please indicate your preference when creating a booking online. On occasion, Laura's friend and roommate Ilaria, another native Venetian in her thirties might be present during your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, 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.
  • Welcome Drink
  • Risotto
  • Tiramisu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Laura is very friendly and welcoming. Very easy and interesting person to talk to. It was a very interesting experience. Besides that, she is a great cook and she knows how to make delicious food. You can really taste the goodness and freshness in her food. Laura’s home is located in an area which is very local with not many tourists, so you will get to experience a real Italian suburb. Cooking Veneto food with Laura is a great experience. You will learn a lot about the food, how to cook some new dishes and also you will have a pleasure being part of Laura’s company.

Pauline, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (13)
Chef Laura is the best. So friendly and knowledgeable. She taught us how to make a delicious tomato risotto and tiramisu. She took us to a local vegetable market that was on a boat. Highly recommend.
- LauraM June 07, 2023
This was an outstanding activity. Our host Laura was fabulous and made the day. We were a family of four, 2 kids aged 12 and everyone got involved with the cooking. Laura was so welcoming to us in to her home. I really cannot recommend this tour more highly.
- gillriggs June 02, 2023
This cooking class was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice. The food was delicious and unique and Laura did everything to make sure that she was providing food we would like! Laura is an excellent cook and host and we are so grateful we got a chance to get to know her. This was the first time we have done a cooking class like this and we are so happy we did!
- Jill December 27, 2022
We loved our evening with Laura our chef and consummate Venetian hostess! She greeted us with appetizers and Aperol Spritz and we chatted a bit before digging into our wonderful cooking experience. We made Tiramisu first so that it cooled before beginning our main course. Then, we made risotto with delicious small tomatoes, homemade pesto and burrito! Our cooking lesson was unique and memorable during our Italian visit! I highly recommend this experience for any traveler to Venice!
- Karl December 27, 2022
Traveling alone one doesn’t expect much in the way of connection. My first time in Venice in November is an experience of cool temperatures and confusion. Confirming the location of the pick up was conducted via email. Laura went one step further. Offering to meet me outside of my hotel entrance. Walking together through Venice, highlighting interesting locations. We progressed our way to the vegetable boat, the wine shop, the sausage butcher and back to her apartment. Her class brought a flavor of connection and personality. Laura is the consummate hostess, her kindness, friendship and connection made this a day I will remember. Starting with Tiramisu and progressing to Risotto. The meal was magic. . Thank you Laura. Cannot wait to return in the future
- paulsV November 26, 2022
This was an amazing experience - a patient teacher who is very knowledgeable. Loved the market tour. Family home cooking experience was very good - highly recommended
- ruthhT9 September 15, 2022
Laura is generous with her knowledge and an engaging teacher. We began class at an extraordinary produce market on a boat and purchased local wine from a knowledgeable shopkeeper. In her kitchen she offered expert and precise instructions while explaining her technique and how we could adapt her recipes for more guests in the future. We finished with a festive and delicious lunch of lemon rosemary risotto and tiramisu with sparkling rose.
- Carolyn K September 14, 2022
Oh my gosh. Such a treat for my daughter and I to shop and then cook risotto and tiramisu with Laura in her home. When I travel I like to experience the real country as much as I can and Laura provided this. Not only is she a great cook but she opened her house to us like we were long, lost friends.
- Teresita July 24, 2022
Great recipes that can be used with many variations. Laura is very patient and gladly shares her skills
- Elisabeth July 23, 2022
Laura was wonderful in showing us around the neighborhood markets, teaching us to make tiramisu and risotto. She made the morning fly by with fantastic conversation. We thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class and meeting her. It was a true taste of Venice in every way.
- Christina April 17, 2022
A wonderful sunny autumn day in Venice with LAURA! The cheerful Venetian went with us to the vegetable ship, to the fish and wine merchant. We laughed and tasted the fresh Torbolino and many other grape juice. Me and my three boys (1 son + 2 of his school friends) dived under the skin of Venice! Later in Laura's home a real cooking party started with a supervisor (me). Laura showed up and my boys acted nimbly until a delicious lemon shrimp risotto and a heavenly tiramisu were on the table. There was also Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. What a day! Thank you very much and ALL LOVE, Laura. Kurt and the 3 boys. (translated by Google)
- kurtparzer October 31, 2021
What a wonderful morning. Laura was an amazing host. We shopped for our ingredients and then returned to her charming home. We made tiramisu and lemon, rosemary, & shrimp risotto. She also taught me how to make spritz biancho. I will be back prossimo estate! Grazie.
- Angela_B July 03, 2021
Laura was fantastic. The entire experience, from going to the local market to cooking a typical Venetian meal was great! Plus we learned so much about Venetian culture, as well.
- sherwoodforrest May 27, 2019
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $121 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $130 Not offered
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $121 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $130 Not offered
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:30am-1:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
9:30am-1:30pm
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.