Cooking in a Venetian Palazzo

When you are wandering in Venice down the very narrow calle you may not know that behind some of the weathered doors are grand palaces with vast gardens and marble floored rooms filled with antiques and art. Most of these palazzos are private residences and the doors are firmly shut. There are a few exceptions and I am very happy to open another Venetian door for you. 


My best Venetian pal Monica leads tours and cooking classes. Her latest offering is a cooking class in the 15th century Palazzo Minotto in the elegant Dosudoro sestiere. In January I got to spend the day shopping and cooking like a Venetian. 

Our day started at the lively and colorful Rialto market. We met the fishmonger and listened to his advice on what was the freshest. Some of his catch was sill wriggling around! Next we chose vegetables grown on the nearby Sant'Erasmus island and then took a scenic walk to the palazzo where we met Gabriella, the owner. 

Soon we were all in the kitchen, equipped, and ready to learn how to clean a squid, whip bacalao mantecato and properly stir risotto. It wasn't all hard work, we sipped prosecco and snacked on cheese while Monica explained the surprisingly modern origins of the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu. 

When the work in the kitchen was done we sat at the very elegant table set with handblown Murano glass plates, bowls, wine goblets and decorated with fresh flowers intricately hand tied with thin ribbons to feast on all kinds of Venetian specialties. 

I loved learning about Venetian cuisine, which is quite different than Roman and who wouldn't love spending a day in a Venetian palazzo?

You can book your cooking class in Venice here.