I am here in Torino for a few days by myself before meeting friends for several more weeks visiting Italy. I wanted a cooking class like this for the chance to meet a local host and perhaps other travelers, and of course learn and taste something wonderful as well! It turned out to be just me for the Aperitivo Class, and Benedetta truly turned out the red carpet for me! Her mom even helped prepare the class! They showed me how to make several amazing appetizers, from the best bruschetta I've ever eaten to freshly baked "salatini" and even--I kid you not--anchovy sandwiches! And, before you go "ewwww," they were delicious!! I was just as skeptical before trying them! Benedetta is a professional free-lance chef, so she was all about showing me the correct and traditional techniques for making everything. I'm pretty sure that I could re-create almost everything, so I know I learned a lot. It's just getting all these amazingly fresh ingredients that will be the challenge at home! She and mom were completely gracious, not laughing at my halting and forgotten Italian, and helping me when I was struggling with words. And they both spoke slowly enough that I could understand most of what they were saying in Italian! Of course Benedetta also speaks great English, and some Spanish, so we wound up communicating very well, eventually! All in all, it is already the first highlight of my extended trip to Italy, and I can't thank Benedetta enough for going to so much trouble just for me! Like all Italians, she is passionate about food, and life, but she also has the professional chops and a huge heart to want to share it with strangers and now, new friends! What a joy!