If you’re visiting Positano, Italy and wondering if you need to take the La Tagliata cooking class, my short answer is YES. Taking the cooking class at La Tagliata was my absolute favorite thing I did on my Amalfi Coast trip. It was unlike any other cooking class I’ve ever done, and became a core memory that I will always remember. This post is a recap of my experience at La Tagliata and goes over 5 things that I would tell anyone who is looking to book this cooking class.
- Pro Tip – If you can’t get into the cooking class, you can still come here and eat in their main dining area. But the cooking class is a must-do if you’re able!
If you want more cooking class recommendations near the Amalfi Coast, check out The Best Pizza Making Class in Sorrento, Italy
A Few Things to Note:
- The class begins in the late morning, and you will make (and eat!) a LOT of food. Don’t eat a big breakfast beforehand, and don’t expect to want much dinner afterward!
- Once your class is booked, you will get an email and/or WhatsApp text with detailed instructions about how to get to La Tagliata, what food you’ll be cooking, and anything else you might need to know to prepare for your class.
- This cooking class is more of a cooking “party.” There will be colored lights, along with strobe lighting that flashes at various times throughout the class. Use caution if anyone in your party has epilepsy.
- As you can imagine, this class books up FAST. I came to the Amalfi Coast in May, and they were booked out through November. In other words, book ASAP.
- La Tagliata only accepts cash payments; make sure to get enough Euros out before you go
I lucked into getting a spot in this cooking class because I was a solo traveler, and they happened to have room for one more person the day I would be in Positano. Am I lucky, or am I lucky?
Before we go any further, I want to add that this is NOT a sponsored post, nor am I getting paid in any way to say any of this. I simply like writing about things I love so other people can experience them too. Here are 5 things that I would tell anyone who is looking to book the cooking class at La Tagliata:
1. The Farm, Restaurant, and Outside Views Are Gorgeous
The first thing I noticed when I got here is how beautiful everything was (what can I say…I’m an aesthetic traveler!) The entire thing is giving Italian fairytale vibes. The restaurant and cooking classroom are decorated in shades of bright turquoise, yellow, green, and orange. It looks like an environment you want to spend hours in…and lucky for you, you get to!
I loved walking around before our class started and just taking it all in. I looked outside at the farm (more about that next!), inside at the main dining room, and outside at the town and ocean down below. The room that you’ll cook in has a lot of greenery mixed in with the bright colors.
2. You Get To Pick Your Own Produce From The Family’s Farm
After we got a tour of the restaurant and wine room, the first thing we did is go outside and pick out our produce to cook with. Yes, that means we pulled fresh onions, eggplants, etc. right out of the ground. One of the people in our group even went into the chicken coop to get fresh eggs. I was not about to volunteer for that, but I’m grateful he was a team player and got enough for everybody!
Along the way, we got to see all the farm animals: pigs, hens, etc. and take in the views of Positano below. La Tagliata is perched up on a cliff high above the ocean and the views of the coast below are stunning to say the least.
3. It’s Equal Parts “Cooking Class” and “Cooking Party”
Remember how I said this cooking class was my favorite thing I did in Positano? It’s also one of my favorite things I’ve done in my life, and that’s because of how much fun they make it.
They turn on the flashing lights and play music, and you dance while you make your food. They played a lot of hip hop, which is my favorite. “La Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee played every time we got more wine. I love that song at baseline, and now when I hear it, I think of this class, and all the happy memories come flooding back.
I have fun cooking and dancing in my own kitchen at home, but this was on a whole other level. Everything is very high-energy. The staff came around and danced with us, which made it even more fun.
The staff also makes it a point to interact with all of us individually. I won’t spoil the surprises for you, but I will tell you that at one point, we were having a contest to see who could catch a fully-grown eggplant in the front of their apron. If you are easily embarrassed, leave your shyness on the bus.
- Pro Tip: During this class, you’ll be given an apron and an Italian name, and then you’ll write your (new) name on your apron. “Gina” is already Italian, so I got to keep my own name. But if your name isn’t, expect to be called Giacomo, Lorenzo, Francesca, or something similar for the rest of the class!
4. You Will Eat and Drink a LOT of (Delicious) Food
You probably already guessed this, but let me reiterate that everything you will eat is SO good. We made so much food that I’ll confess I lost track of everything I ate. Or maybe that was due to the wine. Regardless, I know we had eggplant lasagna, bread and tomatoes, gnocchi, and tiramisu. You will cook, eat, come back and cook more, go back and eat more, etc.
The plate below was my appetizer plate. I didn’t get a ton, because I knew I was going to be eating a lot, and this was just the beginning! The next photo is of the gnocchi, which was probably my favorite thing we ate.
For dessert, we made 2 different kinds of tiramisu: traditional chocolate and lemon. The Amalfi Coast is known for having lemon everything, but the chocolate was my favorite! (Please forgive me for the quality of the photo below…I had a LOT of wine at this point…)
Speaking of wine, your glass will never be empty. In fact, it will be exceptionally full. The staff came around and filled all of our wine glasses to the brim. I’m writing this post a year after I took the class, and I’m pretty sure I’m still drunk. J/k. But if you like wine, you’ll love it here. Just pace yourself. I repeat: Pace. Yourself. We had a couple girls who had to…ummm…leave the room for a bit because they drank too much!
- Pro Tip – They gave us white wine during my class. I don’t know if they alternate between white and red, but the kind we got was really good!
While we’re here, let’s take a second to admire the tableware. The plates and dishes are all brightly colored, which is so fitting with the mood of the class.
5. You’ll Make New Friends in Your Class
With this type of fun, high-energy environment, it’s almost impossible to say you’ll walk out of here without making at least one friend. I loved talking to the group that I was seated with, and also the girls who were near my spot at the cooking table. It was giving “big Italian family” vibes.
Not only will you meet new friends, but the friends you meet will likely be from all over the world. I met a couple people from England, a few from the United States, and at least 4 people from Australia. I was able to learn about the places they lived, the places they’ve been, and exchange different travel stories.
In fact, a few of us met up later in the evening after the class was over, and I was able to grab a group pic using this tripod.
Book Your Cooking Class at La Tagliata
If I’ve convinced you to take the cooking class at La Tagliata, you can book using the official La Tagliata website here.
