Cooking With the Italian Diva — Local services in Wareham

My boyfriend and I went to one of Dedee’s classes and had such an amazing time. I have practically no cooking experience, so seeing I am moving into my own apartment this Fall, I wanted to gain some knowledge. I was a bit apprehensive and nervous coming into the class, but within seconds of meeting Dedee and walking into her kitchen, it felt like we had know her for years. Dedee was the perfect introduction into the world of Italian cuisine. Not only did we make a delicious Shrimp pasta dish by hand, we shared laughs and stories that will serve as memories for years to come. She walked us through each step patiently and attentively, unafraid to keep things lighthearted and fun throughout the class. The four hours seriously went by in the blink of an eye.

Once we finished our main dish, (after a brief intermission for a focaccia bread & caprese salad appetizer) we sat around Dedee’s table to enjoy the dinner we had created, together; sharing even more laughs and smiles.

To know Dedee, is to love her. I wholeheartedly recommend her for all your cooking class desires. You will walk away a better cook and a better person— eager to never stop having fun in life, just like the Italian...

My friends and I signed up for a cooking experience with the Italian Diva and what an incredible evening it turned out to be. We had signed up for the Shrimp Fra Diavlo cooking lesson. When we arrived she informed us of the complete meal that we would be preparing under her tutelage. Along with the shrimp we would be making homemade ravioli and baked bread from scratch.

Dedee had organized separate work stations for us to work as she detailed the menu, various cooking techniques, and personal anecdotes.

We followed her recipes to perfection. We learned new techniques for preparing the shrimp and its marinade. We learned how to create pasta dough and the proper method to roll out the dough and to seal the cheese in the pasta “pocket”. The bread was baking all the while we prepared the entree.

We plated our dishes and had a superb meal in Dedee’s dining room. The meal was outstanding, complete with conversation, laughter, and a delicious meal that we actually prepared.

The Italian Diva is a wonderful chef and teacher. We plan to invite her to our neighborhood for a cooking class with a small...

I gave my husband a gift certificate for one of The Italian Diva's cooking classes. Of course I had to join him! This was a fun experience. Dedee shared a lot about cooking using preservative-free foods, the differences in flour for pasta-making, how to choose your olive oil and, overall, how to have a good time making great food. The other people in the group were nice and good sports. Everyone had a chance to participate hands-on in the preparation of the meal. Our class consisted of nine (excluding Dedee), which was tight in the kitchen. Although not unworkable, I do think a smaller group (six or less) would have been easier managed. Just a heads up: The house where Dedee hosts the classes was challenging to find, mostly due to the missing street sign. Also, leave your jewelry (rings and bracelets, especially) at home as it is literally "hands on," (and IN) the food. Dedee also has a "shoes off" policy in her house, and you will have to put plastic shoe covers over your shoes or socks. Dedee offers a number of different classes; try...