Chef Paolo Monti Cooking School

First class instruction on food selection and preparation.

Amazing experience! I am a home chef and love to cook. The pasta and sauces class was top-notch. Chef Paulo is extremely friendly, easy going, and speaks at least perfect English and Italian (with jokes). Very clean and low-pressure teaching kitchen. Well worth it, if you like cooking and want to learn some new techniques you gotta try this!

My classes included fish and seafood; cooking of Lucca, the Chef's hometown; as well as several kinds of risotto and scaloppine, and more!

My husband and I spent 3 days at Chef Paolo's cooking school in May of this year (2026). I was the primary student, learning many Italian dishes, while my husband served as photographer during the class. He and Chef Paolo had a wonderful time trading puns and jokes! The Chef's assistant, Rayna, was wonderful - staying busy behind the scenes but also helping us when we had questions. My classes included fish and seafood; cooking of Lucca, the Chef's hometown; as well as several kinds of risotto and scaloppine, and more! My husband was able to pay a bit more and join me to eat the wonderful dishes. Since returning home, I've actually made several of the dishes, including Cantucci (Tuscan biscotti), Saltimbocca alla romana, pumpkin risotto, and homemade pasta. We also enjoyed the wonderful, relaxed town of Lucca with its Renaissance fortification walls (rent a bicycle to ride on the wall!). Altogether, we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Chef Paolo and Rayna!.

Since returning home, I've actually made several of the dishes, including Cantucci, Saltimbocca alla romana, pumpkin risotto, and homemade pasta.

We arrived early Saturday morning to find a menu full of heart — and Chef Paolo Monti more than lived up to it. His teaching is a beautiful blend of hard-won wisdom, genuine kindness, and a gentle humor that put everyone at ease (yes, even those of us who may have slightly mangled the biscotti). You leave not just with new skills, but with the feeling that you spent a day in the kitchen with an old friend. Truly memorable, truly delicious.

We arrived early Saturday morning to find a menu full of heart — and Chef Paolo Monti more than lived up to it. His teaching is a beautiful blend of hard-won wisdom, genuine kindness, and a gentle humor that put everyone at ease (yes, even those of us who may have slightly mangled the biscotti). You leave not just with new skills, but with the feeling that you spent a day in the kitchen with an old friend. Truly memorable, truly delicious.

I am so glad I stumbled upon Chef Paolo’s cooking class! Our group of 6 had so much fun in our Tuscan recipes class. We made so much food so absolutely come hungry! Definitely wear comfortable shoes as you will be standing most of the time you are there (when not enjoying your creations!) Paolo was so fun to watch and a great teacher. You get lots of hands on experience while being guided by him. Will definitely do another class with him when we are back in Italy! Small piece of advice, Lucca is an enclosed town so we ended up parking in a parking garage and walked for about 5 minutes to get to the location of the class.

I am so glad I stumbled upon Chef Paolo’s cooking class! Our group of 6 had so much fun in our Tuscan recipes class. We made so much food so absolutely come hungry! Definitely wear comfortable shoes as you will be standing most of the time you are there (when not enjoying your creations!) Paolo was so fun to watch and a great teacher. You get lots of hands on experience while being guided by him. Will definitely do another class with him when we are back in Italy! Small piece of advice, Lucca is an enclosed town so we ended up parking in a parking garage and walked for about 5 minutes to get to the location of the class.

I came across Chef Paolo’s website while searching for a pizza making class. I booked for my husband and myself. The experience was phenomenal. We made many kinds of focaccia, pizza, bread rolls and desert pizza. We also experienced the class with a nice couple from Columbia. We highly recommend taking Chef Paolo’s class. Make sure you come hungry because it’s a lot of food!

We were so fortunate to have been able to book this amazing cooking class with Chef Paolo Monti. His cooking school is in the back of his restaurant inside the historic city center of Lucca. His class sizes are typically small, and in our case, it was just the two of us with the Chef and his assistant. We made 10 different sauces and six types of pasta in our four hour class. Then we sat down with a bottle of wine and ate all of it. It was amazing. Chef is very witty and he showed us tricks on how to make the pasta and sauces so easy and so fast. We got a lot out of the program and can’t wait to come back and take one of his other courses Highly recommend

His cooking school is in the back of his restaurant inside the historic city center of Lucca. His class sizes are typically small, and in our case, it was just the two of us with the Chef and his assistant. We made 10 different sauces and six types of pasta in our four hour class. Then we sat down with a bottle of wine and ate all of it. It was amazing. Chef is very witty and he showed us tricks on how to make the pasta and sauces so easy and so fast. We got a lot out of the program and can’t wait to come back and take one of his other courses

What a fantastic experience! Months after our trip to Lucca, we're still making the recipes from this cooking class at home. I'd never even heard of Tuscan-style pork before, but it's become a family favourite. We've cooked it several times since we got back. The class itself was fun and engaging, and everything we learned felt genuinely doable in a normal home kitchen, which is exactly what we wanted from a cooking class. We're already plotting a return trip so we can take the dessert class. Torta della nonna is high on my list of things I'd love to learn to bake properly. If you're visiting Lucca, book this. We can't wait to come back.

Cooking with Chef Paolo was the highlight of our Italian vacation. My husband does not cook, but Chef Paolo was patient, kind, and very funny. The food and wine were top-notch, and plentiful - I warn you, do not eat before you go. The kitchen was professional grade, and my husband and I, got to dine on everything we made, plus some special surprises made by Chef Paolo and his assistant at a romantic table for two, that was set up just for us! I was so enamoured that I came home and immediately bought everything I needed to make fresh pasta at home, with the amazing recipes of Chef Paolo! would highly recommend you give it a go, and will definitely come back for another class, as Lucca has captured my heart. Thank you so much, Chef Paolo - you gave us an experience of a lifetime!

The experience was very interactive and day one was mainly fish and seafood. Lots of tips on prep and execution of the dishes.

Chef Paulo collected us from our B&B at 09.15 and took us on a short drive to his cookery school. The experience was very interactive and day one was mainly fish and seafood. Lots of tips on prep and execution of the dishes. Then you eat what you cook. Avoid breakfast if you can. During the day we cooked and sampled 10 dishes and managed to demolish two bottle of wine before 13.00. Day two was pasta making and meats. Also baking Tuscany biscuits. Chef Paulo is very patient during the cooking procedures and informative. Totally enjoyed our stay at his B&B and his amazing instructions.

Day two was pasta making and meats. Also baking Tuscany biscuits.

We spent the morning with Chef Paolo, and had a wonderful time (some bad jokes included), and learned quite a bit. Italian cooking is all about making the most of fresh ingredients; over the course of 3+ hours, and under his guidance we helped him prepare 10 separate dishes (3 antipasti, 3 primi, 3 secondi + panna Cotta), taking time after each round to gorge ourselves on truly fresh, tasty and contrasting selections. Ours was the fish and seafood section, so we enjoyed multiple versions of fresh branzino, clams, mussels, shrimp & calamari, with crispy fresh veggies and a crisp little chardonnay from the Veneto. A whole lot of fun, but plan to spend the rest of the day feeling incredibly happy and full. We will do it again when we return to the wonderful town of Lucca

I took my family to this class and we had the best time! It was a hands on experience, and chef Paolo made it very entertaining. We made various dishes that originated from Lucca and everything was delicious. They even provided us wine and coffees. I would definitely recommend and hope to take it another one in the future!

How Chef Paolo taught us valuable tips on cooking techniques and how easy it is to prepare a fantastic Tuscan Italian meal with only a few fresh ingredients. We really appreciated his great sense of humour and his foodie jokes!

How Chef Paolo taught us valuable tips on cooking techniques and how easy it is to prepare a fantastic Tuscan Italian meal with only a few fresh ingredients. We really appreciated his great sense of humour and his foodie jokes!

Chef Paolo was very accommodating and personable. He was easy to understand and follow his instructions for making delicious Italian meals.

Chef Paolo Monti’s cooking class in Lucca is an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about learning authentic Italian cuisine.

I really enjoyed my trip, thank you Paolo.I was the only one on the course and felt really welcomed and looked after by Paolo and Serena.We cooked a great range of dishes in the 2 days, and I'm looking forward to trying them out when I get home. I really enjoyed the dinner on the first evening and we sat and ate what we made during the course. The school/restaurant and the accommodation are in easy walking distance of each other and the centre of Lucca. It is a great city to wander around after the classes. The whole trip was as described.

We cooked a great range of dishes in the 2 days, and I'm looking forward to trying them out when I get home.

We had the best time with Paolo, we booked the 8 day cooking class for a week in October 2024. We had 5 days of cooking so many awesome meals and then eating them, so very good! Our tour day was incredible with a personalized tour of a Parmigiano Reggiano factory, a Prosciutto factory and a balsamic vinegar producer. Paolo is in a new location as of Dec 2023. Previous reviews spoke of the need for a rental car, this is no longer necessary. His new location is an easy 15 minute walk to his cooking class restaurant in the incredible town of Lucca. The accommodations were simple but comfortable with air-conditioning. We had our own bathroom with a hair dryer. Breakfast a simple continental with a great espresso machine! All other meals are provided. We were the only ones who booked the 7 day class, so every day was a new group of students, so we met many other cooking enthusiasts during the week. Be prepared to eat A LOT of good food! Buon appetito from Timbuktu!

Chef Paolo was a great host, the complete package - entertaining, well-travelled, very knowledgable, and passionate about Italian cuisine and its preparation.

I did the Fish and Seafood Cooking Class at Chef Paolo Monti Cooking School. I learnt so much and enjoyed every minute of it. It has given me the confidence to cook with some ingredients that I have never really cook with before. My husband does most of the Italian cooking at home. While I cook Indian (and other) foods. But when I saw the details of the course, I found it hard to resist. And having done it, I cannot recommend it enough. Chef Paolo was absolutely fantastic, with a wealth of experience and knowledge. He took me through some of the basics; then we cooked some of the best fish dishes I have ever had. We smelled, we tasted, checked for textures as we cooked and enjoyed a feast afterwards. And of course we chatted. He is well travelled and even remembered a few Hindi words. We compared notes on some of our favourite food markets and shared food adventures. I left with a full heart—and tummy!

Chef Paolo was a wonderful teacher, very patient, easy going, funny and explained the processes with ease.

Chef Paolo was a wonderful teacher, very patient, easy going, funny and explained the processes with ease.

The class was excellent. I have taken numerous cooking classes and this was one of the best. The chef is passionate about what he does. It was the right amount of hands on and instruction. I picked up numerous tips even though I had cooked similar dishes myself. The food that we cooked was excellent. The pace was great as cooked part then ate it, then cooked more and sat down to a feast. The school is in great location as within Lucca walled city. Thank you Chef Paolo for a great experience.

Thoroughly loved the cooking classes and the dishes we made... so many dishes to make and taste. I learned some tips and tricks of pasta making from Chef Paolo. Generally the food was awesome and the sauces were amazing. The chef is friendly, funny and knows his stuff. He took time to explain things and answered any questions that we had. Loved the classes when we had only 4 people cooking... it made for a more intimate time with the chef. The food was delicious, the atmosphere of the location in the countryside was great... Our room was rustic and charming and the balcony that we had allowed us to get the feeling of being in Tuscany.

The variety of the meals prepared each day, the stories and insight from Chef Paulo, the taste of the food, and the general hospitality was excellent. If you're coming here to Lucca, whether it's for a half-day class or a one week class, this is the only place that I would recommend. The chef is one of the most hospitable people I have ever met. His knowledge and insight and Grace was wonderful. A great experience.

Chef Paul's cooking class was instructive, entertaining, engaging and delicious. Highly recommend. Thank you for amazing memories.

Chef Paolo’s 8 day Gourmet Cooking Vacation in Tuscany exceeded my hopes and expectations!

The four of us took the two day course and had 8 full hours of instruction on pastas and sauces, and seafood.

This was an amazing experience for our whole family - the four of us took the two day course and had 8 full hours of instruction on pastas and sauces (Day 1), and seafood (Day 2). The classes were hands-on and fast-paced - the facilities were comfortable, spacious, and clean and the food was superb!

This is my third cooking school lesson with Chef Paolo. I highly recommend! I went 5 years ago with my 75 year old mom, my 20-ish year old daughter & niece and my sister. We loved every minute. When I got home I found myself cooking several of the recipes monthly. A cooking school, with recipes & instruction is THE best souvenir you can get from Italy. Eating these foods at home takes you back...and it is fantastic. I recently traveled to Italy and did the Tuscan specialties class with my college roommate. Another great experience. Chef Paolo is patient & knowledgable... and very funny.. A side note.. my daughter & niece, who were with us for two cooking school lessons... initially were very "non-cooks"... fast forward 5 years... they are FABULOUS cooks... confident in their skills (most of which they learned in Italy)...bravo!! Love it.

We cooked 14 pasta sauces and made 4 types of pasta in only a few hours. Well worth the trip that we took from Florence.

I did a three day cookery course with Chef Paolo and thoroughly enjoyed it - just arrived home and can't wait to try the recipes!

I attended a 4 hour "Fish and seafood class" on a hot summer day. Chef Paolo Monti was generously sharing secrets of local cuisine and kept joking all the time, which made the atmosphere very friendly. During these hours we cooked 13 dishes! All of them were rich in ingredients but very simply cooked, or most likely it was a talented explanation and demonstration by chef. This was a class for adults, but there were 2 kids in a group (4 and 6 years old) who made it till the end, patiently listening and watching and even helping their parents to peel and cut vegetables.

I really enjoyed my class in Lucca with Chef Paolo Monti. He offers everything from 1/2 day classes to full week classes.