Four people in aprons stand around a kitchen counter, preparing food and wine, with artwork on the walls.

Cooking Lesson

A culinary experience with our Chef

Grand Hotel Portovenere offers Guests a unique cooking course held by the Chef at Palmaria Restaurant.

You will learn how to cook potato gnocchi, Liguria-style pesto, and the classic Italian tiramisù! The Chef will give each participant a handout with the recipes learned during the course.

You can enjoy your culinary creation later at dinner at Palmaria Restaurant.

  • The course is held in a dedicated room.
  • The duration is of 2 hours.
  • Maximum 4 guests per course.
  • To assure availability we kindly ask that you book the course one week in advance.

Ligurian pesto dates back to the mid-19th century, but it is inspired by the medieval tradition of crushing herbs to enhance the flavor of food. The first recorded mention of the modern recipe was by Giovanni Battista Ratto in 1870 in his book "La Cucina Genovese".  

According to legend, a monk from the San Basilio convent in Prà created pesto by gathering and crushing basil, much like he did with medicinal herbs. Other theories trace its roots back to the ancient Roman sauce moretum, described by Virgil.  

Traditional pesto is made using a marble mortar and a wooden pestle, blending basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese, and extra virgin olive oil—a process that requires patience and skill.

For information and reservations:
Tel +39 0187 777751
reservations@portoveneregrand.com

moby dick room detail
Hands rolling out pasta dough, cutting into pieces, and flouring a board with dough and tray nearby.
basil detail
A hand holds a dish of mussels above a pan while another hand pours mussels into the pan.
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