I love to cook and bake for family and friends. I enjoy experimenting with new and different foods and ingredients. And I like to learn from those that have the same passion that I do.

Cooking with Alessandra is a class my wife and I took in Des Moines, Iowa on a Thursday evening in April. We chose to attend the class on home-made fettuccine with a spring vegetable cream sauce. It looked like the classes fill up quickly and after experiencing the class I can understand why.

Alessandra has a passion for food, fun and Italy and it was a joy to learn about food in Italy and how to enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients with 18 other people. Food brings people together and that’s what Alessandra did with the 20 people with fresh pasta, a rolling pin, flour and of course wine if you so choose. We began the class with a bit of wine and warm fresh focaccia that Alessandra had made. Learning how to make buttery tasting focaccia might just be the next class we take.

People spend a lifetime learning how to cook from parents, grandparents, chefs and teachers. But it’s the passion and love of cooking, eating with friends and family and creating it with fresh ingredients that makes it all worth the time and effort. The more you experiment and practice the better you get.

I learned a lot from my Grandma and Mother when it comes to cooking and I’ve tried to pass that along to our kids. You can tell that Alessandra has learned from her family and is passing that love and passion on to many other passionate people.

If you’re ever in Des Moines on a Thursday or Saturday be sure to set aside some time to attend a wonderful class and enjoy fresh food and wine. But plan ahead to make sure you get a spot. You won’t be disappointed!