If you have a love for food and culture, then I’m sure you have always dreamed about eating your way through Italy, which definitely includes cooking with a true local. When my initial plans to do this in Rome fell through, I was really bummed that my first Italian adventures wouldn’t include a hands-on cooking experience. Quite last minute, however, I was browsing through “Eatwith.com” (think AirB&B for eating and cooking in peoples’ homes) and stumbled across Fiamma & Debora. After reading their bio,

“Ciao, we are Fiamma and Debora mother and daughter, we are from Rome and could be described as cheerful and sociable. We love to take care and cuddle our guests and do everything to transform their experience in the Eternal City in something they will never forget. We will host you in our awesome house on the top of the Gianicolo hill an unique location in an famous and historical neighborhood with a stunning views up to Piazza Venezia. Our large and elegant living room with a great terrace are perfect for social eating. Our dream is to welcome our guests in a wonderful scenery offering an experience that will combine together the best local food, a pleasant location, a true local family that will tell a lot of stories about Rome art story and the opportunity to meet new people. The only thing missing is you!“

I was curious to find out more. To my surprise, I ended up getting a last-minute spot in their “Pasta, polenta, and tiramisu cooking class,” on my second-to-last night in Rome.

Unsure what I was getting myself in to, I made the hike up Gianicolo hill that night and was met by Debora’s husband who walked me to their humble abode. Instantly, I felt like part of the family- especially since their little puppy was so welcoming! When the other guest arrived, the night kicked off with wine and bruschette. As Debora indulged us in her stories, Fiamma (daughter and sommelier!) taught us about the wine we were drinking.

It was not all wine and games, though! We were put right to work, prepping our tiramisu for the night, making our pasta dough, and, soon enough, rolling out and cutting our very own pasta. Debora assisted us in making Amatricana sauce for our pasta, cutting and filling ravioli, and eventually, four-cheese polenta.

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The night commenced and concluded with good food, good stories, good company, and an abundance of laughs. The recipes we learned were so simple, but oh-so delicious. Since returning home, I have made pasta Amatricana twice, both times a hit!

If you are looking for an authentic experience in Rome, you will not find anything better than cooking with and in a true Roman’s home.

You can find out more about Fiamma & Debora and their different experiences here!