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Summer in Rome; Italian Cuisine Class

May 13, 2023 @ 11:00 am 1:30 pm

Date: Saturday, May 13th
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Instructor: Chef Lisa Lavagetto
Location: Rotary Kitchen

Ages: Adult, 18+
Skill Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Sliding Scale: $50 / $75 / $100
Financial aid available


Learn how to make authentic Italian cuisine at home with this cooking class. You will master five delicious dishes, from a hearty soup of clams and mussels with pasta, to a creamy ricotta cheesecake with cherries. You will also learn how to make spaghetti alla carbonara, a classic Roman dish with eggs, cheese, and crispy panchetta, as well as abacchio alla cacciatore, a spring lamb stew with tomatoes, herbs, and olives, and braised escarole with almonds, garlic, and anchovies. This cooking class is perfect for anyone who loves Italian food and wants to impress their guests with fresh ingredients and simple techies.

  • Clams and Mussel Soup with Pasta
  • Spaghetti alla Carbonara
  • Abacchio alla Cacciatore-Spring Lamb Cacciatore
  • Braised Escarole with Almonds, Garlic and Anchovies
  • Ricotta Cheesecake with Cherries

Chef Lisa Lavagetto

Chef / Instructor

After marrying a first generation Italian family, Lisa Lavagetto began her love affair with Italian cuisine at the hands of her husband’s grandmother who was a resort chef on Lake Como in Italy. After refining her craft in the family restaurants, Lisa came to Ramekins in 1998. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to work with such luminaries as Mark Miller, Ming Tsai, Rick Bayless, Jacques Pepin, and Paula Wolfert. While working at Ramekins Culinary School, Lisa won 5 gold medals and the Best in Show at the professional food competition at the Sonoma Harvest Fair. In her position, Most recently she was on an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games on the Food Network. 

When you register for a class, you’ll be offered three price tiers. The middle tier comes closest to what our registration fees used to be, and covers about 50% of the full cost of your participation in the class – with the other 50% covered by community donations. The first tier creates accessibility for people with limited income, while the third tier covers the full cost of participation – so that we can use community donations to support other people’s registration costs. When you choose to register at the third tier, you directly help support the Center’s efforts to remove financial barriers for others.

The Sonoma Community Center (the Center) strives to create an inclusive, safe community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The Center is committed to creating such an environment because it brings out the fullest potential in each of us, which, in turn, contributes directly to creating a community of belonging. In order to ensure a positive, safe, and welcoming experience for everyone, all program participants are asked to abide by the following policies, community agreements, and restorative safety protocol.

Financial aid is handled on an individual basis. If you think you qualify, follow the link below to apply.


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