During our three-day business trip to Chiasso, our company organized several team activities that made the experience both productive and memorable. I’ve already shared my stay at the Mövenpick Touring Hotel Chiasso and our visit to the city of Como, with its old town and peaceful lake promenade.

But today’s post is about the best surprise of the trip—a hands-on pasta cooking class in Como, where teamwork, Italian flavors, and lots of laughter came together in the most unexpected way.

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🎁 A Secret Surprise on Day Two

On our second day, we were told that the company had organized a “secret activity” and that we should be ready to leave for a new team experience. No details were shared. No hints. Nothing. Just a time and place to meet.

We crossed the border into Italy and soon arrived at a very cute and cozy cooking space in Como—warm lights, rustic decor, long wooden tables, and everything beautifully prepared for a hands-on Italian culinary adventure.

The moment we stepped inside, we all realized:
👉 We were going to learn how to cook real Italian dishes!

This immediately lifted everyone’s mood and excitement.

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👩‍🍳 How the Cooking Class Started

Before any cooking began, our incredible host welcomed us with the biggest smile and explained how the entire workshop would run:

• What each group would prepare
• The ingredients we would use
• The cooking techniques we were going to learn
• How the final dishes would be combined into a full dinner

She created a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that set the tone for the entire experience.

And because Italians know how to host properly, she surprised us with fresh homemade focaccia and a delicious pumpkin pie to enjoy before we started cooking.
This small gesture made the experience feel warm, authentic, and so special.

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🍹 Team 1: Preparing the Aperitives

The first group focused on creating the perfect Italian aperitivo. They sliced cheeses, prepared bruschettas, and arranged colorful platters of local ingredients. The kitchen smelled like olive oil, basil, and freshly chopped tomatoes.

They also prepared a few small bites that we later enjoyed before dinner.

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🍝 Team 2 (My Group): Making Fresh Pasta

I was in the pasta-making group—and I couldn’t have been happier!

We learned how to prepare fresh Italian pasta from scratch:

What we did:

• Mixed and kneaded the dough
• Rolled it by hand
• Learned different shaping techniques
• Prepared sauces using fresh ingredients

There was flour everywhere, laughter around the table, and a lot of teamwork.
And honestly—nothing beats the feeling of creating pasta together and then eating it later!

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🍰 Team 3: Preparing Sweet Treats

The third group had the sweetest mission: desserts.

From creamy mixes to baked treats, they created the perfect ending to our Italian dinner. The kitchen smelled of vanilla, chocolate, and warm pastry—just walking past their table made everyone smile.

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🍽 A Beautiful Shared Dinner

After all three groups completed their dishes, we sat down together at the long table to enjoy:

• Aperitives
• Fresh handmade pasta
• Desserts
• Local wine and lots of laughs

It felt less like a company activity and more like a family dinner in an Italian home.

This experience brought so much connection to our team—sharing food that we cooked made it fun, meaningful, and unforgettable.

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📝 Final Thoughts

The pasta cooking class in Como was truly the highlight of our business trip.
It combined teamwork, creativity, food, Italian tradition, and an element of surprise that made it even more special.

If you’re planning a corporate event near Chiasso or Lake Como, I highly recommend including a cooking class. It’s fun, engaging, and creates memories that last long after the meetings end.