CillariaFood Experience

Our group of 8 had a great time at Claudia and Bruno’s beautiful home. Kids and adults loved it.

Claudia gave us a warm welcome and individual instruction in pasta making. We tried so many different dishes! The fresh herbs from the garden, the olive oil and house wine were so delicious. We learned about regional specialities too. It was a wonderful and delicious experience!

Firstly, thankful to Claudia and Bruno for hosting such an unforgettable experience. We love the tour around the garden when you explain to us the variety of herbs and fruits you have. The cooking was fun! We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and definitely need more practice in our pasta making skills. Thank you so much.

Claudia and Bruno were so welcoming and kind and the class was so much fun! Everything we made was delicious and it was wonderful to see their beautiful home and property.

Warm and welcoming partners led us through a fun cooking class and the food was Delicious !

Claudia is a really good and super friendly chef. I had a cooking class with two of my kids and we all loved it very much. Especially the tiramisu was much appreciated, but also the ravioli and their own wine!

The location is not in Roem so I loved it more. Claudia and her friends welcomed us with a warm heart and we had enjoyed a lot. My self and my daughter really enjoyed the class.

We were picked up and dropped off at the train station. The class was personalized as it was just the two of us. Claudia was gracious and even added an extra dish after mentioning my mom made it. The results were delicious and we can easily make the same things at home. Bruno was very friendly and though he needed to rest his voice so didn’t sing, he still played for us.

The class was fun, personal and the results were delicious!

We had an amazing time cooking with Claudia and Guisy - they are both wonderful people and this is an experience that you should not miss! Claudia’s home in the countryside is a lovely escape from the city's crowds, surrounded by herbs, olives, and her own vineyard. Everything we cooked was genuine, heartfelt food with a “no waste” mentality. It was incredible watching and cooking along with every meal. The food was fantastic and we have some amazing recipes to try and recreate at home with the techniques we learned. In our session, we made lasagna (pasta, béchamel, ragu), meatballs, fried zucchini blossoms, and a delicious peaches and cream dessert with bonus vegetable appetizers. Everything was incredible! You won’t regret this phenomenal class.

What an absolutely beautiful experience. I couldn’t speak more highly of Claudia and Bruno who made us feel completely at home in their beautiful house in the Italian country. The cooking class was easy to follow and collaborative, finding herbs in the garden to add to the recipes. Bruno played piano and we spent the whole time laughing. The lunch at the end was perfect and all good was delicious, including the wine from their vineyard. Instructions to get to zagarolo were simple even though the train line was under construction and Bruno picked me up and gave me a tour of the town on the way. Highly highly recommend!

This is the best putting I have done on vacation. Claudia and Bruno are amazing. The class was not rushed, Bruno played the piano, Claudia taught multiple recipes. It takes special people to invite you into their home and Claudia and Bruno are special beyond compare. We were with another family and a couple on their honeymoon and having other there made it that much better. We bonded over the course or many hours together. I wish I lived here so I could take more classes with Claudia. The end result was a day full of learning, laughter, and amazing food and people.

Claudia is amazing! More than a cooking class, our time with Claudia and her husband Bruno was an experience not to be missed. Of course, we loved our hands-on lesson in pasta-making (along with sorbetto, vegetables, sides, a meat dish… ), but even more so we felt like welcomed guests visiting our talented Italian friends. Our morning began with a refreshing cup of mint tea and treats prepared by Claudia with ingredients from her garden. We were then privileged to stroll through the grounds as Claudia shared with us the tastes and fragrances of the many herbs she cultivates. The beautiful property also boasts an impressive vineyard and olive grove, from which Claudia and Bruno create delicious wines and olive oil (which we later enjoyed). As we cooked and learned, Bruno (a talented singer and musician) serenaded us. Our “lesson” was interesting, authentic, and joyous. As a reward for all of our fun, we shared a feast with dish after dish, house wine, and fresh fruit sorbetto until we couldn’t eat another bite. We were so grateful that we lucked into this very special cooking experience. Do not be put off by the relatively few published reviews. Such an authentic and personal experience far exceeds the large commercial enterprises through Viator or Travelocity. Sign up for us class! You’ll be reminiscing about it fondly long after you return home from your Italian holiday!

We had an amazing class with Claudia and Bruno! They have a beautiful and unique house in the countryside. The transportation is very easy with train from Rome. Perfect hospitality, good food, wine, live music and nice location. Highly recommended!

We had the most beautifully wholesome afternoon with Claudia and Bruno. We ate delicious, fresh food that had been so much fun to put together under Claudia's guidance. Have recommended to all of our family and friends who are travelling overseas from Australia. Book yourself in, it might be for you the highlight of your trip like it was for us!

Claudia's cooking class was wonderful and one of the highlights of my trip to Rome with my nieces. Her dishes are delicious and she is engaging with her guests, getting us involved in making everything. She adapted the menu to our needs (vegan and vegetarian) and the meal was fresh and very tasty. While the dishes won't taste as good in the States since we don't have the fresh ingredients that Claudia has available in her garden, we will certainly recreate the recipes once home. Like a lot of Italian cooking, the recipes are simple and easy to make. Claudia and her husband, Bruno, are charming and welcoming hosts. They make you feel at home. Bruno's musical skills were an added delight and he even played some of my favorite Italian songs from the 1990s and some Billly Joel too. Their home in Zagarolo is close to Rome but it is like you are far in the countryside for the peace, quiet and green you are surrounded by. Their home is also full of their personalities and interests and talents, which makes it all more interesting to be there and be part of the wonderful experience that they offer.

This was the best experience in all my travels! I had a great time there.

We had such fun on the cookery class. Claudia’s instructions for the train were clear and the journey through beautiful countryside was the perfect beginning to a wonderful day. The charming Bruno collected us from the station and acted as tour guide as we drove to the house. Their home is delightful with beautiful artwork and an amazing garden. To start our meal we picked herbs and plants that would become the most delicious dishes. Next we prepared pasta, sauces, salad and seasonal vegetables, just incredible. As we cooked, Bruno played songs and we all sang along - such fun. Sitting in the garden with our amazing hosts eating our home cooked Italian food, drinking home produced wine and tasting the olive oil was the most wonderful experience. If we could have gone back the following day and learned some more recipes I am sure we would have. Thank you for our perfect day.

Für mich das Hightlight unserer Rom-Reise. Claudias Haus liegt wunderschön und wir konnten im Februar sogar unsere selbstgemachte Pasta draußen in der Sonne genießen. Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass ich so schöne ind leckere Ravioli selber herstellen kann.

This was a great experience. Claudia’s expertise and demeanor are perfect for this course. The location was lovely as well. The food we prepared was delicious. Highly recommend.

Claudia and Bruno were wonderful hosts. They gave detailed instructions on pick up and drop off location. They offered a welcome refreshment. The cooking instructions were very thorough with individual tips on how to improve. While Claudia taught us cooking, Bruno entertained us with his piano playing from time to time. They also served us wine and olive oil that they made themselves. It was an overall delightful and fulfilling experience. I highly recommend this class! Not only was it fun, delicious and educational it offered a chance to escape the business of Rome.

Lovely couple, lovely home, wonderful food and wine experience, great fun all around.

Claudia and Bruno were so warm and wonderful so patient and kind and the cooking experience with them was amazing. Will surely recommend!!

Claudia and Bruno were such amazing hosts. The vineyard was full of ripe tasty grapes, the olive trees were loaded, the group had a blast rolling out dough. We made several very tasty dishes, learned some great tricks , listened to Bruno playing for us and filling our wine glasses. Such a treat!

Claudia and Bruno were wonderful hosts in their lovely home. We cooked some great food - at least we thought so - and learned some new skills including making fresh pasta, ravioli and aubergine parmigiana. All then eaten overlooking Bruno's vineyard drinking his lovely wine. We were looking for something different from a restaurant or hotel based class and it certainly delivered. A memorable afternoon and highly recommended. Martin and family.

Best part of my trip!!! Claudia and Bruno made me feel like family. Such an incredible, warm and special experience. Wish I could cook here every week!

We loved this whole experience. We are pretty experienced cooks and we were petrified of a vanilla Italian food class. Instead, we learned some dishes and some methods that blew our minds!

Highly recommend! Especially for families with children (all ages) - you’ll not regret it! Pls go for it if you’re looking for an authentic experience with local Italian family not only to learn of their culture, cuisines and tradition. Worth every dime and $ so well spent!

Claudia is a warm and talented cook who made me feel like part of the family. We made two kinds of delicious pasta and fried artichokes and borage leaves. Everything was so good! It was a lot of fun making the food and also sharing it with her family. Her husband Bruno picked us up and dropped us off at the train station, making it super easy. This was a wonderful experience and I hope that you get to enjoy it.

Claudia and Bruno's home is warm and welcoming. The grounds are beautiful and Claudia picked greens and herbs right from her garden for your meal. We thoroughly enjoyed learning to make ravioli and eating tons of delicious food! I would do it again in a heartbeat. We put them in our blog

Only an half hour by train from Rome we were picked up by husband Bruno by the station. After enjoying the beautiful garden with nice herbes, the grape yard, olivetrees and coffee we made the best ravioli, a recipe with eggplant and fryed vegetables. Meanwhile accompanied by the nice music from Bruno. After the cooking we ate a delicious meal and drank the great homemade wine. After all that we were brought back to the station. It was a wonderful experience. A nice break from busy Rome. And now, after we got the recipies from Claudia, we make the different meals at home. I recomment you to go to Claudia and learn how to cook delicious Italian food!

Schon die Fahrt von Rom nach Zagarolo war ein Erlebnis. Aus der Stadt herauszufahren und die umliegende Landschaft zu sehen, war sehr schön. Am Bahnhof angekommen, wurden wir bereits von Bruno erwartet, der uns herzlich begrüßt hat. Die Fahrt zu ihrem Zuhause führte durch Zagarolo, wozu Bruno immer wieder auf einzelne Dinge hinwies. Das Haus von Claudia und Bruno liegt idyllisch im Grünen. Claudia führte uns durch den hauseigenen Weinberg, die Olivenbäume und zeigte uns verschiedene Kräuter und Pflanzen. Wir haben nur zu zweit an dem Abend teilgenommen, sodass viel Zeit war, viele Kleinigkeiten zuzubereiten. Ein Highlight war ein süßes Kürbisgericht mit geräuchertem Mozzarella. Bruno begleitete den Abend mit Musik und kam immer wieder in die Küche zu uns. Am Ende wurden die selbst zubereiteten Köstlichkeiten gemeinsam mit gutem selbstgemachten Wein der Gastgeber gegessen. Wir können dieses Erlebnis jedem Rom-Reisenden absolut empfehlen. Die Herzlichkeit, das gute Essen, Claudia, die immer wieder wie selbstverständlich ins Italienische wechselte und man versteht sich trotzdem und Bruno, der den Abend mit Musik begleitet. Das Highlight unserer Reise!!! It begins with the train ride from Rome to Zagarolo. Getting out of the city and be mesmerized by the landscape. At the train station Bruno was waiting to greet us. During the drive to their home through Zagarolo, Bruno told us a little bit about the town. Claudia's and Bruno's home is located beautiful. Claudia led us through the wine yard, the olive trees and showed us herbs and plants. We were the only persons attending at this evening so we had a lot of time preparing different little dishes. An absolut highlight was a pumpkin dish with smoked mozzarella cheese. Bruno played and sang some songs for us and popped in and out of the kitchen. At the end we ate the delicious self made dishes with the own wine of our hosts. We absolutely recommend this experience to every Rome visitor. The warmth, the good food, Claudia, who switch automatically into Italian but there was no problem understanding each other :) and Bruno, who accompanied the evening with music. A highlight from our trip!

I would highly recommend Claudia’s cooking class. It was a superb experience!!

To join a lesson by Claudia is not only to learn more about making pasta and traditional elements of Italian cooking. It gives you the experience of meeting new people from allover the world and the sense of slow food in preparing and sitting together with friends for final lunch to enjoy it. Claudia, her husband Bruno, Guisy and finally Francesco made our small group a great day.

Short and easy trainride away from Rome, with beautiful countryside landscapes on the way. Claudia and Bruno's house is beautiful with a big garden with a vineyard, olive trees and many more things. They were very welcoming. We had a lot of fun cooking a wide variety of things and also really enjoyed eating them. It was a very nice, delicious and authentic day away from the city.

I rarely cook myself but I am amazed at how fun it is to make pasta dishes from scratch. Claudia and Giusy were excellent cooks as well as teachers, they made the whole experience immersed with Italian spirit and cooking skills. I loved the meal we had together under the grape vines, next to a pool and surrounded by Italy countryside. Oh, and the two Labradors were really friendly and cuddly as well.

My experience with Claudia and her assistant (sorry I could not spell her name) was brilliant. I love every minutes of it. Claudia’s house is so beautiful and perfect to host our cooking lesson. The class was fun, informative and intimate. We could interacted a lot with Claudia and other guests since the group is small. The two dogs are amazingly welcome and cute. We had great lesson about making ravioli and delicious meal in the garden. It is definitely awesome to take a short train to see Rome’s countryside instead of simply taking a cooking class in the urban. Highly recommend.

This day spent with Claudia and her friend Giusy was very unique and a highlight of our trip! We spent a lovely sunny morning making pasta and helping prepare all kinds of ingredients. Claudia is learning English so we had a fun time listening to her work on her conversation skills with Giusy there to help as well. Her home is a lovely atmosphere and we could have stayed there all day drinking wine if we had the time! Her husband Bruno came by for lunch and he was so energetic to talk and get to know us! The food we made together was amazing and we were sent the recipes so that we could make them again! A 10/10 experience!

Claudia was amazing. She is so passionated with what she’s doing. It was the best cooking class I’ve ever had in my life. The ambiance was like cooking with your family & friends. It was a warm welcome from Claudia, her friend Giusy and her husband Bruno. I will definitely go back to take her cooking class. I recommend everyone to take her class once you’re in Rome and want to discover more of the local cuisine.

Truly a unique experience. Claudia was warm and patient and the food was magnificent! We are not vegetarian but based on reviews, and research, I felt this cooking class offered a great value for the price. It turned out to be more than I expected. Super happy! Bruno was also great company and loved that he played the piano and sang for us after dinner. Highly recommend cooking with Claudia. You will not be disappointed.

Claudia, her husband Bruno, and her friend Giusy are amazingly welcoming hosts. Giusy picked us up after we had train delay issues in Rome, but we managed to have a full cooking experience where my wife and I learned so much and felt incredibly welcomed & relaxed. Claudia is very engaging and really takes the time to help you learn how to be a better cook by showing you the secrets to fantastic lasagna. Bruno played piano while final preparations for dinner were made, and is quite talented and engaging. We were lucky that we were the only two that booked the experience for the evening, and it felt that we got to know Claudia, Bruno and Giusy closely. If you love food, friendly atmosphere and learning, this an experience for you.

A Cláudia foi muito atenciosa e nos ensinou com muitos detalhes como fazer a lasanha desde o início, com os molhos (ragú e bechamel) e a massa, respondendo a todas as minhas perguntas com paciência e o conhecimento de uma cozinheira profissional. A casa dela é linda, ela é muito simpática e acolhedora e foi um almoço extremamente agradável!

It was a unique experience that both my husband and I enjoyed. He was participating for me and was a little reticent and reluctant but was made to feel very comfortable by Claudia. He helped with cooking preparations as did everyone. We learned about preparing several dishes. There was lots of cooking, laughter, great live music and excellent food. I highly recommend this experience.

The time with Claudia, Bruno & Giusy was the most amazing time & the best experience we had on this entire trip. They are very fun & you will get immersed into the culture & yet feel right at home.

The cooking class was excellent, truly fun and the food was delicious (and not hard to do). It was particularly special due to the location. We were only 30 minutes from Rome, but it felt like we were deep in the countryside. The whole experience was magical and we were treated like special friends.

The experience at Claudia's house was amazing. Everyone was so welcoming and warm, and the food was delicious. We are so happy we could enjoy it and warmly recommend the experience!

Claudia's cooking class and her husband's music were the most memorable experiences during my week stay in Rome. I am so happy that we went to her house. Such sweet, authentic and warm peoples. I will certainly visit them again! Thanks you so much.

Excellent concept! The food preparation was very much like how you cook food at home. The warmth, the comfort supplemented by a very casual yet technical cooking style was quite an experience!

Cooking with Claudia can't be beat. From being picked up at the train station, to the scenic drive through town up to Claudia's house, through to making and tasting the food you've helped prepare, this experience gives a rare insight into Italian life beyond Rome. Would recommend. More experienced chefs might want to contact host to make sure the activities match their kitchen proficiency.

This is a great experience, don’t hesitate to take Claudia cooking classes. She was an incredibly warm welcoming hostess, a wonderful chef. This an amazing taste of a different culture in a such an open authentic way. Things I learned about Roman cuisine and culture, I am taking back to my home and integrating into my culture. These kind of experiences are what makes travel so rewarding. Thanks again Claudia, it was highlight of my mother-in-law and my trip to Rome.

This is such an amazing experience! Favorite day in Rome! Claudia and her friends are amazing hosts. It truly feels like you’re being invited to their home as their friends. The food was amazing! They teach you how to do it step by step. They have the most charming garden and kitchen. Had so much more fun than i could hope for. 10000% recommend!!!!!!!

My favorite day in Italy! This is one of the most special things I’ve done on any vacation. Claudia, Bruno and Giusy made us all feel so welcome in their beautiful home. We had a fantastic time making pasta, but the best part was gathering around the table together to enjoy the meal. Really special and highly recommended!

By far, our favorite cooking experience! Going to Claudia and Bruno's home was the highlight of our vacation in Rome. It is a magical location, the company is interesting and engaging, and we left feeling like we were family. Plus, we learned so much about cooking in general, making pasta, Italian culture and wild herbs. An amazing experience!

What a great experience. This is a cooking class with a difference. We got to experience what life would be like in Italy sourcing produce locally or from the garden. We were immersed with great food and wine and got to share our prepared meal with two amazing people, Claudia and Bruno. This is a must do for anyone wanting to experience real life cooking class.

It was a nice escape from chaotic Rome to tranquillity of suburbs. Claudia and Francesca were great, we khad best time in Zagarolo.

I really enjoyed taking this cooking class! Best memory in Rome!

We had the best time cooking and eating with Claudia and her family and friends. She modified her recipes to suit our dietary needs. Unlike other classes I saw online, she not only taught us to cook the pastas but also the sauces, appetizer and dessert. The best part though was enjoying the meal with her lovely family. Her mother serenaded us and her husband, Bruno, played a short concert on his keyboards. Fantastic day!

Best time of my 2 weeks in Italy! Claudia, Bruno, Juicy ( ?spelling)and my driver ? Francesco?? were so warm and welcoming. I instantly felt at home and throughly enjoyed my time. Loved the yard with all the wonderful herbs, fruits vegetables. Claudia and Juicy were wonderful teachers and Bruno entertained us with his music and great sense of humor. I didn't want to leave! Can't wait to try the recipes at home! Highly recommended!! Donna from Chicago

Claudia and Bruno where the greatest hosts, in their beautiful and cosy house. the cooking was great experience, delicious. Claudia did her best to please each one of us according to our tastes. A warm person, great food experience. highly recommended.

the class was very funny and didactic, we cooked many kind of pastas and a dessert. It would be perfect if the classes lasted longer, because we did not manage to cook everything and the teacher had to do them quickly

This class was the best part of our entire trip to Italy! Claudia and Bruno were such wonderful hosts. We learned a lot and made many different dishes, all of which were delicious! It was wonderful to be out in the countryside and get a real taste of Italian life. I would recommend to anyone and would love to do another class with Claudia!!

This was honestly one of the most incredible culinary experiences we have had. Claudia, her husband Bruno and their family friend Tonino went out of their way to ensure we had an experience we would never forget. Being that it was a national holiday in Italy, they actually invited friends and family to join the ‘party’, and we sat outside all eating our culinary creations with laughter, stories, singing and I’m imbibing both drink and the wonderful atmosphere. It was hugs and kisses all around as we ended the wonderful day - both grateful and satiated.

Claudia and her friends were so fun and welcoming. We learned how to make Italian pasta from scratch, along with several other yummy dishes. She is committed to cooking with quality seasonal ingredients, yet also teaching and making a lot of food for everyone to enjoy! Her home is so welcoming to all and has everything ready for you. It felt like visiting family! Thank you Claudia for opening your home to us!!

My husband and I had a great time at this class! It was a fun laid back experience! We got to make and eat great food in a beautiful setting. But our hosts were the real highlight! It was so fun to gain some language skills specific to food and the new techniques we were learning. This was really a major highlight of our time in Rome! It was so fun (and easy) to get out of the busy city center. I would (and already have) recommend this experience to a friend!!

My family (aged 16-60) came for a cooking class today, and it was extremely enjoyable. Giusi and Bruno picked us up at the train station and drove us out to the house, where we met Bruno and Claudia’s adorable dogs. We refreshed ourselves with some tea and water, then put on aprons and got started. Claudia patiently taught us to make pasta dough and turn it into ravioli and fettuccine, and also included us in cooking custard, bruschetta, stuffed squash flowers, and eggplant parmigiana - all of which we consumed in a leisurely fashion with glasses of Prosecco under a vine-draped arbor. This was a fantastic way to spend a morning, and we recommend it to all! Melissa

Claudia and her friend Giusy are excellent teachers. They explained the preparations for the meal easily so you could understand what they meant. They showed us how we should do something in advance and then let us try it alone ... and helped again if it was necessary:) The food was absolutely delicious and we used the herbs from the garden. Moreover we felt very comfortable in Claudias house because they talked and laughed a lot with us so it was a really authentic experience and not touristic at all. Especially because we had our two teachers only for us like in a private cooking class. We would recommend cooking with Claudia to anyone who loves food and cooking in a familiar atmosphere!

This was an amazing day. We had the opportunity to experience Italian hospitality as Claudia welcomed us into her home where we learned to make homemade pasta. We were there with another group who was taking a dessert making class. We started with hand rolled pasta that was used to create lasagna, from there we made ravioli filling and then hand-made the raviolis while Claudia cooked them in a butter sauce. Finally, we created linguine pasta that was used for carbonara. The cooking itself was fun, but probably the best part was the overall experience. The countryside was beautiful and the experience was authentic. Claudia is a very patient and enjoyable host! She and her friends made us all feel comfortable and it felt more like we were at a large family gathering cooking a big dinner for family. Once all the food was complete pastas, bread, desserts we all sat down at a large table in her house and enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Claudia complimented the meal with her homemade red and white wines. My family and I spent a week in Italy visiting all the touristy locations, but I can honestly say this was one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip.

This was such a great experience! We took the train in from Rome. Claudia's friends met us at the station and drove us to her lovely home in the country. They were all so friendly, helpful and fun. With Claudia's instruction, we made pasta dishes. Another group made desserts. Then we all shared the meal together - including wine that Claudia had made herself. She has grapevines and olive trees on her property. She hand picks the grapes and olives to make wine and olive oil. It was one of our favorite parts of the trip - an authentic Italian experience. I would highly recommend this as an alternative and addition to all the wonderful site seeing in Rome. We would absolutely spend another day Cooking with Claudia if we ever return.

This was one of the best experience me and my wife have had. There are so many options for a cooking class in Rome, but with Claudia, you will experience the countryside, far away from the hustle and bustle of city. Claudia and her husband were so warm and friendly, we enjoyed all 4 hours of her session. They knew everything about the food and made us involve in the cooking which was more exciting!

Cooking with Claudia was an absolute dream! From her lively and kind husband picking us up at the train station to meeting her and her sweet pups, enjoying her wonderfully designed and spacious home and the gorgeous yard with all of its wild plants, olive trees and vineyards! Her husband played my favorite Queen and Billy Joel songs on the piano while she taught us how to make Eggplant parm (the BEST I ever had!) two kinds of homemade ravioli, a delicious salad, tiramisu. We enjoyed their homemade red wine from their vineyards, and they were both so warm and friendly the entire experience! My husband and I learned so much and enjoyed an experience with two lovely locals that we know we could never have anywhere else. It was an incredibly local experience, and after being in Italy many times in my life, this was one of my most favorite authentic experiences.