Fish Shopping in Rialto and Home Cooking in Murano

I really did not know what to expect when my wife signed me up for an Italian Cooking Class for our May 2024 visit to Venice, Italy. It seems that somehow I never inherited the “cooking gene” and this was my wife’s opportunity to fix that problem. We were traveling with her sister and husband, their first visit to Venice. For about four hours, we were the students and our professor was master Italian cook, Valerio. Valerio met us at 11:00h near the public market adjacent to Rialto Bridge. We immediately discovered that Valerio was more than a cooking instructor, with his encyclopedic knowledge of Venice and its history. The first order of business was to select fresh tomatoes, artichokes, lettuce, potatoes, fish, shrimp, freshly cut rosemary leaves, and parsley. Valerio explained his methods for finding the best produce and fish. We next stopped at a bakery for fresh whole grain bread and a dessert. After a gondola ride from the market to the Vaporetto Station, we were soon on our way to Valerio’s home on the Island of Murano. Once there, Valerio patently explained his plan and assigned us roles that matched our skill levels. I was initially assigned to cut the bread, and I am proud to say that I still have the same number of fingers. I also cut the tomatoes for the salad. My fellow students raved at how skillfully the bread and tomatoes were cut. The five of us enjoyed drinks of Prosecco, mixed with a variety of aperitives. An excellent local white wine was also served. Food started with a lettuce and tomato salad along with bronze cut spaghetti served with a homemade tomato sauce. Valerio guided us through the preparation of the fish, a fresh water bass stuffed with salt, olive oil, and rosemary leaves. I expected the fish to taste salty, but instead it was richly delicious. After enjoying more Prosecco and the culinary results of our efforts, we enjoyed a chocolate cake dessert followed by after dinner drinks. We came away with a great appreciation for Italian food, Venetian style. If you are planning a trip to Venice and enjoy Italian food (who doesn’t), Valerio’s Italian Cooking Class should not be missed. Without question, it was the highlight of our visit to Venice. Valerio’s cooking class rates five out of five stars.

This experience with Valerio was amazing! I was traveling with my parents and we asked to do a private tour for Covid concerns and this turned out to be the best decision ever! We came to Venice for the day from where we were staying in Bologna and Valerio met us right at the train station and essentially gave us a private tour of Venice. We learned so much history about the neighborhoods, the canals, the address system, etc. He taught us tricks about getting around Venice, and we learned about native shrimp and seafood to the local lagoon. We went to the Rialto fish market to pick up fresh ingredients and then went to the Island of Murano to his lovely home to cook. We probably never would have gone to this island had we not had this experience! We got to make artichoke hearts, roasted fish with fresh herbs and lemon, roasted potatoes and fresh shrimp with spaghetti in a yummy tomato sauce. These dishes were very simple, but delicious! He was such a knowledgeable, friendly, and hospitable host and we learned so much from him! We're not big drinkers so he might have been a bit disappointed that we didn't drink a full bottle of wine or finish our pre lunch cocktails, but he did manage to get my mom to try an amaro which is a big feat! He even recommended places for us to grab some Cicchetti before we had to head back to Bologna.. Overall, I would definitely recommend this tour as a way to learn about and appreciate Venice from a native venetian, and to cook some delicious fresh seafood!

We had an amazing time with Valerio! He was such a great host via WithLocals. We learned a lot and had many good laughs together. He was so warm, friendly, and welcoming — I will definitely be booking with him again next time I return to Venice!

If you want to feel like a real Venetian, then immerse yourself in this glorious day of cooking. Our host Valerio met us at the Rialto market where together we learnt about all the wonderful local produce.His knowledge is extensive,his hospitality vast. As a group we all had an opportunity to get involved, while learning, laughing and enjoying this experience in Valerio's own kitchen ,making this such a personal experience not to be missed or forgotten.

This was such a wonderful experience. From meeting Valerio in Rialto to spending the day with the other four guests cooking at his home, everything was terrific. Valerio took the time to make sure we were involved in the process from picking out the fish at the Rialto market as well as the vegetables and dessert, we were part of the preparation. The Seabass shrimp and tomatoes salad and fruit was delicious, everything cooked to perfection. To top it off we had sparkling wine to start & wine with lunch with espresso and an aperitif to finish the day. Valerio offered terrific suggestions what to do with the rest of our time in Murano as well as the restaurant recommendations for our time in Venice. Truly, everything was perfect from the beginning until the end. I wouldn't hesitate to spend an afternoon doing this, I know you won't regret it