After turning down a narrow, cobblestoned street in Verona, I walked into the open-air kitchen to embark on a culinary journey. We were greeted by a lovely local chef named Christina, who was as charming and lovable as all her traditional Italian recipes. The menu was set, from bruschetta and homemade tagliatelle to risotto with Amarone and a personal sized tiramisu. We were going to slice, bake, boil, and devour Veronese classics.

The way Christina spoke about everything she did, from how to knead the pasta dough, to her affections for her favorite basil plant, showed our intimate six-person class just how much passion goes into making a homemade meal.

Learning all the recipes from her Grandmother, she shared with us just how thin to slice the pasta, how to gently fold the egg whites in the tiramisu, and how to sip from the Amarone as you make your risotto.

No matter where in the world I travel to, I always seek out a local cooking class. Because at the end of the day, tasting and making traditional recipes, with local ingredients is an entirely new way to understand a places deep, rich culture. Because, after all, there's honestly no better way to experience a place then through delectable meals made with love and new friends.