Everyone hopes one day to be a home chef that amazes their friends with that one, perfect recipe. To start those first steps of progress, there’s no better way to acquire new skills than with a summer Italian cooking class in Pittsburgh. Led by passionate, professional chefs, you’ll gain hands-on experience crafting classic Italian dishes and unlocking their secrets. Maybe you’ll make vibrant sauces and fresh pastas. Or, you’ll sharpen your sweet tooth in decadent dessert options. Or, you’ll take to the true classics of Italy and whip up a Neapolitan pizza from scratch. No matter what class you choose, there’s a world of learning awaiting you to help you gain a better understanding of Italian cuisine and become a better cook in general.
Summer Italian Cooking Classes in Pittsburgh
Sauce Class
Enrico’s Biscotti, July 9 and 23
Start off with bites of antipasto and salad before learning the essentials of a marinara sauce base. Then, you’ll get tips to transform that marinara as you make 4-5 pasta dishes to fill your up for dinner.
Neapolitan Pizza Class
Enrico’s Biscotti, July 12, 19, 27
Learn how to make this classic, Italian style of pizza from lead pizzaiolo, Roy, that uses San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. You’ll cook your masterpiece to perfection in a brick oven after creating a from-scratch dough and styling your pizza as desired.
Cooking with Kids: Pasta Party!
CRATE, July 15
Have some parent-kid bonding time while teaching your little one the basics of cooking. Each duo will create a delicious kid-friendly dinner of Homemade Pasta, Mini Meatballs & Marinara, Cannoli Dip, and Italian Citrus Soda.
Regional Italian Series: The Foods of Abruzzo
Gaynor’s School of Cooking, July 16
Dive into the Abruzzo region of Italy with their specialties of lamb, salami, and fish. Take your turn at making these dishes as you’re taught Abruzzo cooking basics like cooking over a wood fire, and the use of olive oil, rosemary, and wine.
Bread Making Class
Enrico’s Biscotti, July 21 and 28
Have you been wishing to hop on the bread making bandwagon? Now’s your chance to learn the history of bread making alongside secret tips to make the best loaf possible. Before making rustic Italian bread, you’ll also enjoy a family-style brunch and house-made wine.
Italian Dessert Class
Gaynor’s School of Cooking, July 27
Amaze your friends the next time they come over with an array of homemade Italian desserts. In this class you’ll bake Dark Chocolate Cherry Biscotti, Cannolis, LimoncelloTarts, Ricotta Cookies, Chocolate Amaretti Cake and Tiramisu alongside instructor Toni Beattie.
Italian Chicken Favorites
CRATE, July 27
Who says cooking chicken has to be boring? Skip your basic grilled chicken and instead employ one of the recipes you’ll learn in this course. From Chicken Romano to Chicken Parmesan to Chicken Marsala, you’ll gain a variety of cooking tricks and tips for use in everyday life.
Pizza Making Class For Kids
Italian Village Pizza, July 27
Italian Village Pizza is giving the opportunity to make every kid’s dream of tossing pizza dough come to life. Here, your mini pizzaiolo will knead the dough, add the sauce, cheese, and their favorite toppings. Plus, while you bite into your freshly made pizza, you’ll get to meet the restaurant’s mascot, Tony Anchovy.
Regional Italian Series: The Foods of Friuli Venezia Giulia
Gaynor’s School of Cooking, July 31
Friuli-Venezia Giulia and its historical links with Austria-Hungary have formed a variety of dishes inspired by Austrian, Hungarian, Slovene, and Croatian cuisines. In this class you’ll learn to make Prosciutto and Melon Lollipops, Pork and Red Pepper Stew, and Ricotta Strudel for a delicious three-course meal.
Story by Kylie Thomas / Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Yap
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