Do I need prior cooking experience?

No, this class is designed for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced cooks.

Are ingredients provided?

Yes, all ingredients and equipment are supplied as part of the class.

Can I eat the food we prepare?

Absolutely! You’ll enjoy the dishes you help create during the class.

Is this class suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, there are vegetarian-friendly options included depending on the menu for the day.

How can I book a class?

Use the referral link provided to view availability and book your spot online.

What is the class size?

Classes generally accommodate small groups to ensure personalized attention from Chef Mat.

Experience Authentic Italian Flavors: Culinary Tour of Italy with Chef Mat in Berkeley | Food Tour | Private

Berkeley, California, stands out as a vibrant hub known for its diverse culinary scene and innovative food culture. Yet, just a step inside Chef Mat Wertlieb’s kitchen, you’re transported straight to Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage with the Culinary Tour of Italy experience. This immersive 3-hour cooking class invites food lovers to dive deep into authentic Italian cuisine, exploring flavors and techniques from Rome to Naples that have been cherished for generations.

Chef Mat, a seasoned culinary expert, guides you through regional dishes with personal stories and insider knowledge, making this much more than just a cooking class. You’ll work alongside him, learning hands-on how to prepare classic recipes that highlight the freshest ingredients and traditional methods. Whether it’s mastering the perfect pasta dough or balancing the bright tang of a Neapolitan tomato sauce, each step connects guests to Italy’s vibrant culture through its food.

What makes this tour truly unique is its combination of education, engagement, and flavor. By the end, you’re not just a spectator—you become a creator of an authentic Italian meal that you get to enjoy right there. This fresh approach offers a rich contrast to Berkeley’s often experimental dining scene, grounding guests in timeless, comforting dishes that never go out of style.

For travelers staying in Berkeley or the greater San Francisco Bay Area, this adventure delivers a genuine taste of Italy without the need to cross the Atlantic. The class welcomes all skill levels, from curious beginners to seasoned home cooks looking to expand their repertoire. Whether you want to impress at dinner parties or simply enjoy a soulful cooking experience, Chef Mat’s Culinary Tour enriches your connection to Italian food traditions.

Aside from the culinary craftsmanship, the experience also opens a window into local ingredient sourcing and sustainable cooking practices, reflecting Berkeley’s ethos of mindful eating and environmental responsibility. This thoughtful balance between authenticity and contemporary awareness makes the tour a standout activity in the local outdoor and cultural recreation landscape.

Book your spot through the provided referral link and embrace the hands-on craftsmanship of Italy’s iconic dishes in the heart of California’s East Bay. These sessions fill quickly, so plan ahead to take home not just delicious skills but lasting memories of Italy’s culinary spirit right from Berkeley.

About Kitchen on Fire

Kitchen on Fire is a hands-on cooking school and event producer that offers a broad calendar of culinary workshops, multi-week series, camps, and virtual classes. The school presents technique-driven, chef-led experiences ranging from single-session workshops to 12-week fundamentals courses. Classes focus on regional cuisines, baking, pastry, vegetarian and seasonal cooking — examples include Italian pasta and breads, Indian and Burmese dishes, Middle Eastern street food, Mexican and Latin specialties, and classic bistro techniques.

Chef-led offerings feature named instructors and visiting chefs, with programs such as multi-week Basics of Cooking series, themed nights like A Night in Florence and A Night in Rome, specialized workshops including ricotta and doughnuts, and seasonal pie and baking classes. Kitchen on Fire also runs teen camps, school-break day camps, and virtual workshops to reach learners at different levels and schedules.

Instruction emphasizes hands-on practice, practical skills like knife work and recipe fundamentals, and communal dining of the dishes created during class. Many classes run three hours or longer; multi-week series provide progressive skill development. In addition to in-person workshops, the organization publishes virtual classes and instructional series led by its roster of chefs.

Kitchen on Fire’s program diversity — from single-session craft workshops to immersive multi-week courses and teen camps — reflects a commitment to accessible, skill-focused culinary education. The school’s transparent class descriptions, named instructors, and recurring series offer prospective students clear expectations and opportunities to build lasting cooking skills. Class sizes vary to prioritize engagement, hands-on practice, and personalized instructor feedback for students.