Meet
Laura
Born and raised in the heart of Venice, Laura is passionate about sharing her city’s rich food, culture, and traditions with guests. She welcomes travelers into her charming apartment in the city center. A dedicated social worker, Laura spends her free time traveling, exploring local markets, watching films and most of all, cooking. Inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals, she began experimenting with recipes from cookbooks and developed a deep love for sharing food with others.
“While traveling through South America, I discovered the joy of home-cooked experiences and instantly fell in love with the idea. I would be thrilled to share the food and culture of my city with travelers, especially in Venice, where it can be hard to connect with locals.”
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:
(2-5 guests)
Laura welcomes you into her cozy home, nestled in a charming, authentic Venetian neighborhood just a 20-minute walk from the city center. Laura learned to cook from her mother and loves preparing traditional dishes from the Veneto region using only fresh, organic ingredients sourced from nearby farmers. You might enjoy Venetian dishes like risotto, polenta with creamed cod or handmade vegetable tortelli followed by her signature tiramisu and coffee. This off-the-eaten-path experiences offers a glimpse into everyday Italian life in Venice, far from the tourist crowds. You can also pick up insider tips on places to visit from your local expert!
Cooking experience:
(2-5 guests)
For an authentic, gratifying and refreshingly local perspective on life in Venice, away from the tourist crowds, Laura’s cooking experience is a must-do. Step into Laura’s cozy, well-equipped kitchen and discover the secrets of Veneto cuisine as you enjoy a light appetizer. During this 1.5 hour hands-on Venice cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare a seasonal, creamy risotto (or pasta if you let her know in advance) and a decadent tiramisù. Laura will guide you through each step, from crafting the perfect mascarpone cream to assembling your own individual dessert, while sharing stories about the origins and traditions behind the dishes. After cooking, enjoy the meal you helped prepare over laugher and conversation.
Market visit:
(2-5 guests)
Meet Laura at the lively Santa Margherita market, where she’ll guide you through her favorite local vendors and help you discover the fresh, seasonal ingredients that define Venetian cuisine. During this 1-hour guided tour, you’ll explore select shops to pick up ingredients for your upcoming Italian cooking class. After the market visit, enjoy a scenic 20-minute walk to Laura’s home, where your hands-on cooking and meal experience will begin.
Notes:
1. A former vegetarian, Laura is happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requests. Be sure to indicate any dietary preferences when placing your booking online.
2. On occasion, Laura’s friend and roommate, Ilaria, also a native Venetian in her thirties, may be present during your experience to assist or join in.
3. Laura can comfortably host up to 4 guests, but is happy to accommodate 5 if needed - just note that space may be a bit cozy.
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish, Italian
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Laura is very friendly and welcoming. Very easy and interesting person to talk to. It was a very interesting experience. Besides that, she is a great cook and she knows how to make delicious food. You can really taste the goodness and freshness in her food. Laura’s home is located in an area which is very local with not many tourists, so you will get to experience a real Italian suburb. Cooking Veneto food with Laura is a great experience. You will learn a lot about the food, how to cook some new dishes and also you will have a pleasure being part of Laura’s company.
Pauline, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
Laura was amazing! Welcoming and a great teacher. We become with a glass of bubbles, discussing our profession followed by making risotto and tiramisu for dessert. I look forward to sending clients her way.
Our water taxi dropped us off on the opposite side of where we requested which we mad to walk 50 minutes to make it Laura’s. We arrived an house late and Laura was welcoming, I truly enjoyed my time experience.
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Tiffany
April 06, 2025
We spent a lovely afternoon walking through Laura's neighborhood and local market, learning more about daily Venetian life, and venturing beyond the typical tourist areas. We enjoyed cooking in her kitchen, and it was just the right amount of demonstration and hands-on cooking for our group of teens and adults. With lots of laughter, conversation, and a delicious lunch, our afternoon with Laura was a highlight of our trip.
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Alexander
April 05, 2025
We had a brilliant evening with Laura. She made us very welcome in her Venice apartment. We started with appetisers and prosecco, then made Tiramasu (for later) and, finally, a leek, Gorgonzola and hazelnut risotto. After that, we ate it, accompanied by wine and very pleasant conversation. It was great to see how people live in Venice from day to day and we picked up some useful tips and places to visit.
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Sue
March 25, 2025
This was the best experience of our vacation to Venice! After two days of getting saturated with tourist spots, we looked forward to seeing Venice through a local's perspective. Our host Laura was so warm and engaging. She gave us a view of life in Venice without the influence of tourist commercialization. We learned how to make risotto and tiramisu--knowledge that will last us a lifetime! For those that want a calmer and more gratifying experience in Venice, this is a must-do. Don't leave Venice without trying this out. You'll be thankful you did!
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Marybelle
July 27, 2024
Chef Laura is the best. So friendly and knowledgeable. She taught us how to make a
delicious tomato risotto and tiramisu. She took us to a local vegetable market that was on
a boat. Highly recommend.
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LauraM
June 07, 2023
This was an outstanding activity. Our host Laura was fabulous and made the day. We were
a family of four, 2 kids aged 12 and everyone got involved with the cooking. Laura was so
welcoming to us in to her home. I really cannot recommend this tour more highly.
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gillriggs
June 02, 2023
This cooking class was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice. The food was delicious and unique and Laura did everything to make sure that she was providing food we would like! Laura is an excellent cook and host and we are so grateful we got a chance to get to know her. This was the first time we have done a cooking class like this and we are so happy we did!
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Jill
December 27, 2022
We loved our evening with Laura our chef and consummate Venetian hostess! She greeted us with appetizers and Aperol Spritz and we chatted a bit before digging into our wonderful cooking experience. We made Tiramisu first so that it cooled before beginning our main course. Then, we made risotto with delicious small tomatoes, homemade pesto and burrito! Our cooking lesson was unique and memorable during our Italian visit! I highly recommend this experience for any traveler to Venice!
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Karl
December 27, 2022
Traveling alone one doesn’t expect much in the way of connection. My first time in Venice in November is an experience of cool temperatures and confusion. Confirming the location of the pick up was conducted via email. Laura went one step further. Offering to meet me outside of my hotel entrance. Walking together through Venice, highlighting interesting locations. We progressed our way to the vegetable boat, the wine shop, the sausage butcher and back to her apartment. Her class brought a flavor of connection and personality. Laura is the consummate hostess, her kindness, friendship and connection made this a day I will remember. Starting with Tiramisu and progressing to Risotto. The meal was magic. . Thank you Laura. Cannot wait to return in the future
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paulsV
November 26, 2022
This was an amazing experience - a patient teacher who is very knowledgeable. Loved the market tour. Family home cooking experience was very good - highly recommended
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ruthhT9
September 15, 2022
Laura is generous with her knowledge and an engaging teacher. We began class at an extraordinary produce market on a boat and purchased local wine from a knowledgeable shopkeeper. In her kitchen she offered expert and precise instructions while explaining her technique and how we could adapt her recipes for more guests in the future. We finished with a festive and delicious lunch of lemon rosemary risotto and tiramisu with sparkling rose.
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Carolyn K
September 14, 2022
Oh my gosh. Such a treat for my daughter and I to shop and then cook risotto and tiramisu with Laura in her home. When I travel I like to experience the real country as much as I can and Laura provided this. Not only is she a great cook but she opened her house to us like we were long, lost friends.
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Teresita
July 24, 2022
Great recipes that can be used with many variations. Laura is very patient and gladly shares her skills
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Elisabeth
July 23, 2022
Laura was wonderful in showing us around the neighborhood markets, teaching us to make tiramisu and risotto. She made the morning fly by with fantastic conversation. We thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class and meeting her. It was a true taste of Venice in every way.
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Christina
April 17, 2022
A wonderful sunny autumn day in Venice with LAURA! The cheerful Venetian went with us to the vegetable ship, to the fish and wine merchant. We laughed and tasted the fresh Torbolino and many other grape juice. Me and my three boys (1 son + 2 of his school friends) dived under the skin of Venice! Later in Laura's home a real cooking party started with a supervisor (me). Laura showed up and my boys acted nimbly until a delicious lemon shrimp risotto and a heavenly tiramisu were on the table. There was also Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. What a day! Thank you very much and ALL LOVE, Laura. Kurt and the 3 boys. (translated by Google)
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kurtparzer
October 31, 2021
What a wonderful morning. Laura was an amazing host. We shopped for our ingredients and then returned to her charming home. We made tiramisu and lemon, rosemary, & shrimp risotto. She also taught me how to make spritz biancho. I will be back prossimo estate! Grazie.
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Angela_B
July 03, 2021
Laura was fantastic. The entire experience, from going to the local market to cooking a typical Venetian meal was great! Plus we learned so much about Venetian culture, as well.
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sherwoodforrest
May 27, 2019
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