Italian cooking classes with Luca

## A unique Luxury Wine Tasting & Italian Pasta Workshop in London’s Secret Garden

Escape the noise of the city and step into the enchanting Phoenix Garden, a peaceful oasis of greenery hidden in the heart of London. This idyllic setting will host a truly special culinary experience combining luxury Italian wine tasting with a hands-on handmade pasta workshop.This immersive event is hosted by two passionate experts, Carl and Luca, bringing together the elegance of Italian wines and the timeless craft of traditional pasta making.Your evening begins with Carl, a wine educator and event host currently studying for the prestigious WSET Diploma in Wines. Known for his engaging and approachable style, Carl creates tastings that are both informative and wonderfully relaxed. You’ll start with a glass of Prosecco on arrival, followed by a fascinating comparison with Franciacorta, Italy’s refined traditional-method sparkling wine often regarded as the country’s answer to Champagne. Carl will then guide you through a journey across Northern Italy, introducing:

• Soave (100% Garganega) – a vibrant white wine from the volcanic hills near Verona, celebrated for its fresh citrus and floral character
• Valpolicella Ripasso – a rich yet elegant red wine, layered with deep cherry fruit, gentle spice, and silky texture

To finish, you’ll indulge in Recioto della Valpolicella, a historic sweet wine made from partially dried grapes, offering luxurious flavours of dark fruit, cocoa, and velvet richness. Throughout the tasting, Carl will share stories about the regions, grapes, and traditions that make these wines so special.Alongside the wine tasting, Luca, an Italian pasta maker and passionate host, will guide you through the art of creating fresh pasta from scratch. Luca’s workshops are designed to feel like an evening among friends in Italy, relaxed, social, and full of flavour. From a warm Italian welcome with premium wines and traditional Italian antipasti, the hands-on pasta-making class will allow you to prepare fresh pasta dough using traditional techniques, rolling and shaping your dough into two beautiful handmade shapes: tagliatelle and farfalle.Along the way, Luca will share stories about Italian food culture, family traditions, and the secrets behind perfect pasta. Once your pasta is ready, Luca will cook it and serve it with two types of sauces: a rich traditional meat ragù and a creamy and velvety courgette and double cream sauce topped with crispy pancetta. Vegetarian options and any other special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice. You’ll then sit down to enjoy your freshly made pasta while more wine is poured and the atmosphere fills with conversation, laughter, and the pleasure of sharing food together.You’ll leave with new skills, wonderful memories, and the joy of having created something delicious with your own hands. Join us for a magical evening celebrating Italian wine, food, and culture in one of London’s most charming hidden venues.

What you'll get

• Luxury tasting of 5 premium Italian wines
• A selection of Italian antipasti
• All the ingredients for the 2 pasta dishes
• Use of aprons and pasta tools while cooking
• A PDF copy of the recipe so you can recreate the dish at home
• An intimate, social, and unforgettable evening in a beautiful setting