Meet
Massimo
Massimo is an engaging storyteller and passionate foodie with a great sense of humor. He hails from a long line of restaurateurs and learned to cook from his mother and nonna, who passed down their love for traditional Italian cuisine. A world traveler and Merchant Navy officer with culinary experience in Germany and France, Massimo finds his greatest joy in welcoming guests into his home to share his passion for food, culture, and the city he holds dear.
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:
(2-25 guests)
Massimo lives in a charming 600-year-old building in the heart of Venice, complete with a beautiful outdoor terrace. He specializes in dishes from the Veneto region, known for its rich culinary traditions that blend fresh seafood from the coast with hearty meats from the hills. During your meal at Massimo’s welcoming table, you might enjoy baked scallops or anchovies marinated in orange sauce, a seasonal salad, fish- or meat-based pasta, and freshly baked rosemary focaccia. Your experience will end on a sweet note with a warm chocolate cake or other classic Italian dessert.
Cooking experience:
(2-25 guests)
Join Massimo for a Venice cooking class in his historic home kitchen, located in the heart of the city, where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Venetian dishes. During this 1.5 - 2 hour hands-on cooking class in Venice, you’ll use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a traditional meal from the Veneto region - such as handmade pasta with your choice of meat, fish, seafood, or vegetables in a flavorful sauce, a seasonal salad, and freshly baked focaccia. As you cook, Massimo will share expert tips, techniques, and stories about Venetian cuisine. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared, finishing with a classic Italian dessert. Massimo has a wide repertoire of recipes and is happy to personalize your experience - just let him know if there’s something specific you’d like to learn to cook! If you choose the optional alcohol add-on, Massimo will serve a local Italian wine or a classic Aperol Spritz, the iconic Venetian aperitivo, paired with a traditional cicchetto (a small Venetian bite).
Market visit:
(2-12 guests)
Enjoy a guided tour of the bustling Rialto Market as you walk with Massimo through one of Venice’s most iconic and lively local markets. Filled with Venetians shopping for the freshest ingredients, the market offers a vibrant glimpse into daily life. As you explore colorful produce stalls and local fish vendors, Massimo will share fascinating stories and culinary insights. Pick up fresh fish for your cooking class before heading back to his home to begin your hands-on Venetian culinary experience.
Notes:
1. Massimo is happy to personalize your menu and can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets upon request. Please include any dietary preferences when making your booking.
2. For groups of 8 or more guests, Massimo hires assistants, so the price is higher. For groups of 13 to 25 guests, the experience is hosted at a different venue. For detailed pricing and location information for the above, please contact reservations@travelingspoon.com
3. The Rialto market is closed on Sundays.
Languages spoken:
English, Italian, Spanish
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Best meal in Italy so far! Massimo has a lot of personality and he's a ton of fun. His cooking class was hands on. We ate and chat, then cooked and ate, then chat and ate again. It was three courses over 3 hours. We had so much fun and think he'd be a great addition to the Traveling Spoon community. Also, I'm not a fish lover and Massimo helped me love fish. We had a blast with Massimo!
Alex & Mike, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
Massimo welcomed us to his home for a private dinner. He shared 126 year old family recipes. He gave cooking tips, shared about his family and provided a wonderful meal. During the meal, he shared more about his life and answered our questions about living in Italy. Highly recommend for a intimate experience
-
pamela
June 09, 2026
Our cooking experience with Massimo was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Venice.
From the moment we stepped into his 600-year-old Venetian home, we felt less like tourists and more like welcomed family. The setting itself was unforgettable—a historic home in the heart of Venice with a charming outdoor terrace that provided the perfect backdrop for an authentic culinary experience.
Massimo guided us through the preparation of a delicious traditional Venetian meal. The ingredients were exceptionally fresh, and his passion for regional cuisine was evident in every step of the process. As a teacher, he was patient, knowledgeable, and engaging, sharing cooking techniques, family traditions, and fascinating stories about Venice along the way. You can immediately tell that his skills have been shaped by generations of family cooking and a lifetime spent appreciating great food.
The meal we prepared was absolutely outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and truly representative of the Veneto region. Every dish showcased the quality of the ingredients and Massimo's expertise. Sitting down together to enjoy the meal felt like dining with an old friend rather than attending a cooking class.
What made this experience truly special, however, was Massimo's warmth and hospitality. His generosity, humor, and genuine love for sharing his home, culture, and culinary traditions created an atmosphere that was welcoming, relaxed, and memorable.
If you're looking for an authentic Venetian experience that goes far beyond a typical cooking class, you must book this experience. It was a wonderful combination of exceptionally delicious food, hands-on learning, local culture, and heartfelt hospitality that we will remember long after our trip to Venice.
-
elle
May 31, 2026
Venice is a beautiful busy city. This was our favorite experience, taking us away from the
crowed tourist areas and giving us quiet time to learn about the city, the food, and the
people.
-
sonia
May 30, 2026
This experience was beyond five stars. It was easily ten stars. It was like going to a friend's house who is a really good cook.
Max was friendly, inviting and so engaging. It was obvious he loved food and cooking and the history of food. This was not about recipes or a menu. It was about the underlying meaning of having a good meal with friends.
I highly recommend this experience and encourage anyone who really wants to know Venice (or Italy for that matter) to meet Max and have a great meal.
-
carla
May 06, 2026
Cooking and lunch with Massimo was a highlight of our week in Venice. In a city of friendly
people, he was the friendliest! We shopped for a menu we created with him, then cooked
and shared a very special meal. Highly recommend this if you have the time.
-
karen
May 06, 2026
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