Experiential food tourism is a growing trend in Rome right now. Not much of it is particularly worthwhile and the majority of it is led by amateurs. There is at least one major exception to the rule: Rome’s gelato master Claudio Torcè is now giving hands-on gelato courses in the basement of his shops on Via Stoccolma in EUR.
Now when I say basement, banish the idea of a dim and musty cave. Torcè has created a bright workshop that feels like home. The initiative is called “Il Gelato a Casa Tua” (gelato at your house) and the space was created to reinforce the fact that even novices can make all-natural gelato with simple equipment and materials. You can see for yourself on former Parla Food intern Adrienne Foley’s blog.
During the three-hour workshop, participants take turns weighing ingredients, making pistacchio paste, toasting herbs and generally preparing the raw materials. The final step is eating it the gelato they make in a small but efficient machine. I had the joy of bringing a dozen university students to make gelato with Claudio last semester and I can say first-hand that the workshop is an outstanding opportunity to learn the craft from the master. To arrange an “Il Gelato a Casa Tua” workshop or request more information, write to Claudio here.
That is definitely going on my to do list
Buonissimo! I saw a TV spot about a “gelato university” in Bologna, on CBS Sunday morning. I love that Italy is doing these kinds of things.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57550969/gelato-a-feast-for-the-eyes/
Totally doing this on my next trip to Rome! Great find!
Ciao,
I’ve been thinking about gelato lately. Most packaged ones here in the states contain gums. To learn to make the real thing would be divine.
Grazie
I am a gelato lover and would love to learn how to make them. Grazie mille:)
Katie – Would you mind sending the info about how to contact Claudio to take the workshop? When I click on the link, my computer pops out a box and asks me for an email password for an account I don’t use. Thanks
here you go! ilgelato.acasatua@gmail.com
Sounds like a great time. We are going to be in Rome over Easter and would love to do this. Do you know if it is kid friendly? I have sent an email but haven’t gotten a response yet.
Thanks!
Thank you for the info. My kiddos are 11 and 13 and I know they would love it. We are going to be there from March 25- April 1.
i would say it is appropriate for kids 9 or 10 and up. claudio has a friend dealing with the english emails which is why it is taking time to get back to you. might be worth dropping another line…but keep in mind that easter is a very serious holiday here, which means good friday-easter monday people spend time with their families and friends, not working
ciao!
I’ve dreamed of this wonderful adventure where I would learn the art of gelato making and bring this special new found skill back to America. I have already decorated the space in my mind numerous times while heading off to dream land at night. I’ve even purchased a spectacular venetian chandelier in a spumoni-colored palette to hang center of this restaurant(it’s currently in storage)
Please send me more information on this class and make a girl’s dream come true! Turning 50 in Dec. and would love to do this for my birthday!
hey laura! you have to contact Torce directly. many visitors have tried unsuccessfully recently. i have, as well, but to no avail. good luck!
Hi
We are in Rome from 9th to11th of December and wondered if it would be possible to do a gelato course of any kind? We have a cafe/shop in the English Lake District and would be very interested to add gelato to our menu. We realize that this is slightly at short notice but we are in Rome already.
We look forward to hearing from you, Karen and Robin
Hi Claudio,
We want to book on the 22nd of June 2015…My 11 year old son and I from Australia ..can you please email us?
Kind regards,
Brendan
Is this class still being offered?
some have reported difficulty arranging it. im happy to direct you to another course. just write to info@katieparla.com.