Meet
Massimo
Massimo is an engaging storyteller and passionate foodie with a great sense of humor. He hails from a long line of restaurateurs and learned to cook from his mother and nonna, who passed down their love for traditional Italian cuisine. A world traveler and Merchant Navy officer with culinary experience in Germany and France, Massimo finds his greatest joy in welcoming guests into his home to share his passion for food, culture, and the city he holds dear.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(2-25 guests)
Massimo lives in a charming 600-year-old building in the heart of Venice, complete with a beautiful outdoor terrace. He specializes in dishes from the Veneto region, known for its rich culinary traditions that blend fresh seafood from the coast with hearty meats from the hills. During your meal at Massimo’s welcoming table, you might enjoy baked scallops or anchovies marinated in orange sauce, a seasonal salad, fish- or meat-based pasta, and freshly baked rosemary focaccia. Your experience will end on a sweet note with a warm chocolate cake or other classic Italian dessert.
Cooking experience:
(2-25 guests)
Join Massimo for a Venice cooking class in his historic home kitchen, located in the heart of the city, where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Venetian dishes. During this 1.5 - 2 hour hands-on cooking class in Venice, you’ll use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a traditional meal from the Veneto region - such as handmade pasta with your choice of meat, fish, seafood, or vegetables in a flavorful sauce, a seasonal salad, and freshly baked focaccia. As you cook, Massimo will share expert tips, techniques, and stories about Venetian cuisine. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared, finishing with a classic Italian dessert. Massimo has a wide repertoire of recipes and is happy to personalize your experience - just let him know if there’s something specific you’d like to learn to cook! If you choose the optional alcohol add-on, Massimo will serve a local Italian wine or a classic Aperol Spritz, the iconic Venetian aperitivo, paired with a traditional cicchetto (a small Venetian bite).
Market visit:
(2-12 guests)
Enjoy a guided tour of the bustling Rialto Market as you walk with Massimo through one of Venice’s most iconic and lively local markets. Filled with Venetians shopping for the freshest ingredients, the market offers a vibrant glimpse into daily life. As you explore colorful produce stalls and local fish vendors, Massimo will share fascinating stories and culinary insights. Pick up fresh fish for your cooking class before heading back to his home to begin your hands-on Venetian culinary experience.
Notes:
1. Massimo is happy to personalize your menu and can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets upon request. Please include any dietary preferences when making your booking.
2. For groups of 8 or more guests, Massimo hires assistants, so the price is higher. For groups of 13 to 25 guests, the experience is hosted at a different venue. For detailed pricing and location information for the above, please contact reservations@travelingspoon.com
3. The Rialto market is closed on Sundays.
Languages spoken:
English, Italian, Spanish
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Best meal in Italy so far! Massimo has a lot of personality and he's a ton of fun. His cooking class was hands on. We ate and chat, then cooked and ate, then chat and ate again. It was three courses over 3 hours. We had so much fun and think he'd be a great addition to the Traveling Spoon community. Also, I'm not a fish lover and Massimo helped me love fish. We had a blast with Massimo!
Alex & Mike, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
One of the most magical experiences we had in Venice! With Massimo, a Venetian sailor and passionate cook, we went together to the Rialto Market to choose incredibly fresh scampi, tomatoes, and potatoes. Back in his beautiful, art-filled home, with vinyl music playing, we cooked delicious gnocchi with scampi and explored a 600-year-old room full of ancient Venetian spices.
Amazing wine made by his father and a delicate dessert completed an evening full of laughter, stories, and real friendship. Truly special and unforgettable. We will definitely come back!
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lucy
March 15, 2026
This private cooking class with Massimo in Venice was an elegant and deeply authentic experience.
Together we chose the menu from a generous variety of possibilities, which made the evening feel truly personal.
In the end we prepared handmade pasta with fresh herbs and a beautiful cheese from the Dolomite mountains.
Everything happened in Massimo’s ancient Venetian home, where we immediately felt welcomed like friends rather than guests.
Before cooking, we explored the Rialto Market with him, laughing and tasting fresh fruit offered by his friends at the stalls.
Seeing Venice through the eyes of a true Venetian felt magical and wonderfully exclusive.
Dinner together, with vinyl records playing softly, had the warmth of a real Italian family table.
Massimo’s deep knowledge of food comes from generations of tradition, with a family restaurant founded more than 125 years ago.
Through simple but remarkable ingredients we traveled across Italian flavors, from alpine cheeses and honey to the treasures of the lagoon.
A beautiful, cultured and unforgettable experience—highly recommended, and we will certainly return, don t miss it !!!
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marti
March 07, 2026
In the heart of Venice, far from the crowds, we experienced an extraorddinary private cooking class entirely dedicated to fresh pasta. I had no idea that “pasta fresca” could mean so many beautiful things. With Massimo, we prepared delicate ravioli filled with fresh ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto crudo, rich lasagne with an incredible ragù alla Bolognese, and even handmade strozzapreti from scratch.
We bught the finest ingredients together at the historic Rialto Market, laughing and learning along the way. Back in his charming Venetian home — a true hidden gem — we made pasta completely by hand: no machines, just a rolling pin, our hands, and imagination.
We picked sage and rosemary from his garden, enjoyed excellent wine from his father’s selection, and tasted outstanding cheeses. It was a day full of smiles, authenticity, and exceptional food. I highly recommend booking this unforgettable experience.
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john
February 27, 2026
Our private cooking class with Massimo was truly exceptional. An experienced chef with a wonderfully informal style, he made us feel comfortable from the very first moment. In a city as touristic as Venice, having a class just for us felt rare and special.
Visiting the Rialto Market with Massimo was an unexpected highlight — he guided us through beautiful, high-quality vegetables and shared stories that made the experience come alive. The fresh pasta we prepared together was simply sublime. We also created a delicious Parmigiana with outstanding eggplants, paired with an impressive selection of high-quality wines and cheeses, all produced by his family.
His home, a 700-year-old jewel in the heart of Venice, was magical: a record player softly playing, a charming garden with its ancient well, candlelight at lunch, and spectacular wine in our glasses. More than a cooking class, it was an experience of friendship and authentic Venetian atmosphere.
We were simply very lucky to find Massimo — five stars only because we couldn’t give ten.
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eve
February 22, 2026
This private cooking class with Massimo was the most exclusive and authentic experience we had in Venice.
His charming antique Venetian home instantly made us feel relaxed, and his humor kept us laughing the whole time.
Massimo cooked a creamy Lemon & Pistachios Risotto that was absolutely unforgettable.And the selections of cheese was ...super!
All ingredients was selected in the fresh market, so funny and interesting!
The entire experience felt intimate, genuine, and created for just a lucky few.
Massimo is truly the best host I’ve ever met. If you want one perfect memory from Venice, book this experience immediately.
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Mark
December 09, 2025
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