Bigoli and Gnocchi Cooking Class near Padua, by a Canal

This bigoli and gnocchi cooking class near Padua is set in an elegant house in the countryside, overlooking Le Brentelle, a canal dating to the 14th century. In summer the meal is served under the portico, in winter beside a fireplace.

You are welcomed with artisanal cicchetti and a glass of fine local wine. Then you learn how to make bigoli by hand with the bigolaro, an old hand-driven press that gives the pasta its thick, rough texture. After that comes Gnocchi alla Padovana, light potato gnocchi prepared according to local heritage.

• A cooking class led by a local cook who is also a painter
• Artisanal cicchetti and local wine
• A seasonal vegetarian or vegan menu

What you make is what you sit down to eat. The class mixes aperitivo and art, and the table moves from the portico to the fireplace with the season. Meat dishes are not served, so vegetarians and vegans are well looked after.