Host offerings
Massimo and Frederica live just outside Porta Pia in a beautiful and contemporary apartment with a fantastic kitchen for cooking. Massimo is a neurologist by profession and Frederica works in the Internal Revenue Agency. Massimo has been passionate about food since his earliest days as a child; he inherited this passion from his grandparents, who taught him their secret family recipes from the Roman-Jewish tradition. Now, Massimo spends most of his spare time in the kitchen, cooking. He and Federica love food, wine and travel and love meeting new people.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Cooking experience (1 - 6 guests) Step into a cozy Roman home and experience a traditional cooking demonstration with Massimo, who prepares beloved family recipes you won’t often find in restaurants. Massimo and his partner Federica are passionate about sharing their food and culture with guests. Drawing from both Roman culinary traditions and dishes from Viterbo, his mother’s hometown in northern Lazio, Massimo creates an unforgettable dining experience that blends storytelling, history, and homemade food. This is not a hands-on cooking class, but rather a chance to relax and observe as Massimo prepares a classic Roman pasta dish, perhaps cacio e pepe, carbonara, or amatriciana - explaining each step as he cooks. You'll learn the secrets behind these timeless recipes, from the perfect cheese and pepper balance to selecting quality guanciale and pecorino.
After the demonstration, sit down to enjoy a full traditional Roman meal. Your experience might begin with fresh Italian antipasti, followed by the handmade pasta you just saw prepared. For your main course, expect something comforting and rich like Grandma’s meatballs with Florentine beef. The meal ends on a sweet note with a classic Italian dessert such as tiramisu (Massimo makes his with ricotta instead of mascarpone) or maritozzi, soft cream-filled buns typical of Rome.
Notes: All the dishes and recipes can also be prepared in a vegetarian and gluten-free version, so please do let them know your preference while creating the booking.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffa98301368>
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Join Massimo and Frederica at their apartment for a meal of traditional Italian foods you would eat at home, those you would not necessarily find on the menu in a restaurant. Both Massimo and Frederica are lovely and very friendly. Massimo shares some of his grandmother’s traditional home cooking for an Italian meal that will be the highlight of your trip to Rome. The kitchen is contemporary, the hospitality warm and the food delicious. We felt like we had known them for years by the time we left. Next time we are Rome, we will visit again! Also the meatballs were the best meatballs I have ever had!
Elizabeth and Paul , Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | Not offered | $40 | $40 |
| Alcohol | $8 per person | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 7:00pm - 09:00pm |
Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.
