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Host: Ann (Italian)

Dana Point, CA, United States

USD
$175 per person

Small Group Italian Cooking Class and Meal with Wine in Dana Point

Host offerings
  • House
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Ann (Italian)

Ann and Rick are a welcoming California couple who live in a beautiful coastal home near Laguna Beach, where their neighbors include the Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria. Passionate about food, travel, and entertaining, they love connecting with people from different cultures. For Ann, food is a way of expressing love. Whenever she travels, she makes a point of taking cooking classes to learn from local cooks and bring new flavors and techniques home. She learned to cook from her mother, through her travels, and at culinary school. An enthusiastic home chef and entertainer, Ann enjoys hosting dinner parties for family and friends. As Ann and Rick look ahead to retirement, they are excited to welcome travelers from around the world into their home to share stories, food, and hospitality. The couple shares their home with two cats, who will remain upstairs during your experience. Ann and Rick can also host private team-building and corporate events in Dana Point for groups of up to 10 guests.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) Meet your hosts, Ann and Rick, at their beautiful home in Dana Point, just minutes from Laguna Beach and neighboring the Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria hotels. Begin your experience with a welcome cocktail and appetizer while getting to know your hosts and learning about the Italian dishes you'll be preparing together. Step into Ann's spacious kitchen for a small-group, hands-on Italian cooking class where you'll learn to prepare a delicious multi-course meal inspired by Ann's love of Italian cuisine and entertaining. As you cook together, Ann will share tips, techniques, and stories from her culinary training and travels, teaching you how to create authentic Italian dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. After cooking, gather around the table to enjoy the meal you've prepared together, paired with carefully selected Italian red and white wines. Each guest will receive printed recipes to recreate the dishes at home, along with a small keepsake to remember their time in Dana Point.

Notes:
1. This is a small-group experience, not a private experience.
2. Our host's home and cooking experience is designed for adults and recommended for ages 16+.

Languages spoken: English

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 | Classic Negroni
  • Antipasti | Prosciutto e melone, whipped ricotta crostini and bruschetta
  • Secondo | Italian meatballs in marinara with creamy polenta, suppli and seasonal salad
  • Dolce | Fresh seasonal fruit tart
  • Drinks | Italian red and white wines

Traveler reviews

5.0 (9)
The class really exceeded our high expectations. The experience was so fun and the food we made was so tasty with written step by step instructions at the end to remind how to do everything including making the delicious welcome cocktail. Our hosts were incredible. So personable and lovely. It was like joining friends for an afternoon of cooking and learning.
- debbie March 05, 2026
An elegant and approachable French cooking experience near Dana Point graciously hosted by Ann and Rick. We enjoyed a truly delightful evening as both couples prepared and savored a beautifully crafted meal together. Their home alone is worth the adventure — thoughtfully designed, beautifully appointed, and centered around a well-stocked kitchen that inspires creativity. From the warm welcome at the door to the heartfelt farewell, we felt less like guests and more like family. The instruction was clear, engaging, and informative, making every step enjoyable. Ann’s guidance on creating choux à la crème (cream puff pastry) was wonderfully simple and confidence-building. The best part? The intoxicating aroma that filled the room as everything baked. Well — perhaps the second best. Sharing the finished meal family-style around the table was truly the highlight of the evening. An experience we would gladly repeat
- mike February 20, 2026
Using the word “phenomenal” isn’t enough. This cooking class was truly the highlight of my vacation. Upon entry greeted with a cocktail and light snacks while conversation naturally flowed. Moving into the kitchen with all ingredients readily prepared and instructions presented & easy to follow. Ann carefully crafted recipes to create an unforgettable meal. Carefully walking us through the process of all elements of the meal. We enjoyed lunch with wine, candles, and an unforgettable experience/meal. 10/10 recommended and can’t wait to go back. A beautiful couple with amazing story’s and unforgettable laughs. We will never forget her husband that is hands down the best at entertaining, interacting, and sous chef lol.
- matt January 28, 2026
We had such a great time cooking with Ann and Rick in Dana Point. They kicked things off with delicious cocktails and appetizers, which was the perfect way to ease into the experience and get everyone excited to cook. The French menu was fantastic, and Ann was an amazing teacher — clear, approachable, and fun to learn from. Everyone in our family felt included and genuinely enjoyed the process from start to finish. Rick was a wonderful co-host and helped keep the whole experience fun and laid-back. By the time we sat down to enjoy everything we had cooked together, it felt like one of those special meals you’ll be talking about long after it’s over. This was such a memorable experience and a highlight of our trip — we’d absolutely do it again and couldn’t recommend Ann and Rick more.
- hatie January 03, 2026
Ann and Rick are welcoming and delightful hosts. They made this special cooking class (my birthday gift from daughter and sister) an especially wonderful experience. Their genuineness and enthusiasm for this class experience could not be better. Our entire visit was 3-1/2 hours which just FLEW by. The welcoming pitcher of French 75 champagne cocktails was the perfect introduction to a cooking class on January 1st. We proceeded to prepare our joint meal with instructions and supervision from Ann and support from Rick. As you'd expect, the entire meal was devine. Also, because of my birthday, my daughter brought a cake, which we enjoyed after our meal. Our Party of Three was unamimous that we want to book another future lesson with Ann and Rick to share this experience with other friends.
- genny January 02, 2026
Read More

Ann (Italian)

$175 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+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $175 $175
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $175 $175
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Ann (Italian)

Ann and Rick are a welcoming California couple who live in a beautiful coastal home near Laguna Beach, where their neighbors include the Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria. Passionate about food, travel, and entertaining, they love connecting with people from different cultures. For Ann, food is a way of expressing love. Whenever she travels, she makes a point of taking cooking classes to learn from local cooks and bring new flavors and techniques home. She learned to cook from her mother, through her travels, and at culinary school. An enthusiastic home chef and entertainer, Ann enjoys hosting dinner parties for family and friends. As Ann and Rick look ahead to retirement, they are excited to welcome travelers from around the world into their home to share stories, food, and hospitality. The couple shares their home with two cats, who will remain upstairs during your experience. Ann and Rick can also host private team-building and corporate events in Dana Point for groups of up to 10 guests.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) Meet your hosts, Ann and Rick, at their beautiful home in Dana Point, just minutes from Laguna Beach and neighboring the Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria hotels. Begin your experience with a welcome cocktail and appetizer while getting to know your hosts and learning about the Italian dishes you'll be preparing together. Step into Ann's spacious kitchen for a small-group, hands-on Italian cooking class where you'll learn to prepare a delicious multi-course meal inspired by Ann's love of Italian cuisine and entertaining. As you cook together, Ann will share tips, techniques, and stories from her culinary training and travels, teaching you how to create authentic Italian dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. After cooking, gather around the table to enjoy the meal you've prepared together, paired with carefully selected Italian red and white wines. Each guest will receive printed recipes to recreate the dishes at home, along with a small keepsake to remember their time in Dana Point.

Notes:
1. This is a small-group experience, not a private experience.
2. Our host's home and cooking experience is designed for adults and recommended for ages 16+.

Languages spoken: English

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 | Classic Negroni
  • Antipasti | Prosciutto e melone, whipped ricotta crostini and bruschetta
  • Secondo | Italian meatballs in marinara with creamy polenta, suppli and seasonal salad
  • Dolce | Fresh seasonal fruit tart
  • Drinks | Italian red and white wines

Traveler reviews

5.0 (9)
The class really exceeded our high expectations. The experience was so fun and the food we made was so tasty with written step by step instructions at the end to remind how to do everything including making the delicious welcome cocktail. Our hosts were incredible. So personable and lovely. It was like joining friends for an afternoon of cooking and learning.
- debbie March 05, 2026
An elegant and approachable French cooking experience near Dana Point graciously hosted by Ann and Rick. We enjoyed a truly delightful evening as both couples prepared and savored a beautifully crafted meal together. Their home alone is worth the adventure — thoughtfully designed, beautifully appointed, and centered around a well-stocked kitchen that inspires creativity. From the warm welcome at the door to the heartfelt farewell, we felt less like guests and more like family. The instruction was clear, engaging, and informative, making every step enjoyable. Ann’s guidance on creating choux à la crème (cream puff pastry) was wonderfully simple and confidence-building. The best part? The intoxicating aroma that filled the room as everything baked. Well — perhaps the second best. Sharing the finished meal family-style around the table was truly the highlight of the evening. An experience we would gladly repeat
- mike February 20, 2026
Using the word “phenomenal” isn’t enough. This cooking class was truly the highlight of my vacation. Upon entry greeted with a cocktail and light snacks while conversation naturally flowed. Moving into the kitchen with all ingredients readily prepared and instructions presented & easy to follow. Ann carefully crafted recipes to create an unforgettable meal. Carefully walking us through the process of all elements of the meal. We enjoyed lunch with wine, candles, and an unforgettable experience/meal. 10/10 recommended and can’t wait to go back. A beautiful couple with amazing story’s and unforgettable laughs. We will never forget her husband that is hands down the best at entertaining, interacting, and sous chef lol.
- matt January 28, 2026
We had such a great time cooking with Ann and Rick in Dana Point. They kicked things off with delicious cocktails and appetizers, which was the perfect way to ease into the experience and get everyone excited to cook. The French menu was fantastic, and Ann was an amazing teacher — clear, approachable, and fun to learn from. Everyone in our family felt included and genuinely enjoyed the process from start to finish. Rick was a wonderful co-host and helped keep the whole experience fun and laid-back. By the time we sat down to enjoy everything we had cooked together, it felt like one of those special meals you’ll be talking about long after it’s over. This was such a memorable experience and a highlight of our trip — we’d absolutely do it again and couldn’t recommend Ann and Rick more.
- hatie January 03, 2026
Ann and Rick are welcoming and delightful hosts. They made this special cooking class (my birthday gift from daughter and sister) an especially wonderful experience. Their genuineness and enthusiasm for this class experience could not be better. Our entire visit was 3-1/2 hours which just FLEW by. The welcoming pitcher of French 75 champagne cocktails was the perfect introduction to a cooking class on January 1st. We proceeded to prepare our joint meal with instructions and supervision from Ann and support from Rick. As you'd expect, the entire meal was devine. Also, because of my birthday, my daughter brought a cake, which we enjoyed after our meal. Our Party of Three was unamimous that we want to book another future lesson with Ann and Rick to share this experience with other friends.
- genny January 02, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $175 $175
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $175 $175
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm
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 24 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 24 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 24 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.