la bella tavola cooking CLASS

about our cooking Classes

Learn more about the
​La Bella Tavola Cooking Classes

la bella Tavola team

Meet the Volunteers who
​make this happen
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 “La Bella Tavola” (The Beautiful Table) plays a very important role in every Italian household.
It is a sacred place where loved ones gather, where decisions are made, news is shared, songs are sung, food is prepared and enjoyed together and most importantly traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
 
Eat well and join us at our Beautiful Table!   Mangiate bene! Venite alla nostra Bella Tavola!
 
The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club is passionate about "Preserving Our Culture and Heritage".  We are a nation of food lovers with a passion to share it with those we care about.  We invite you to take a seat A La Bella Tavola.  Join us as we visit the many beautiful regions of Italy and learn about Italian traditions, culture, the people, and our love for the food from our country.
 
We have guest presenters from various regions demonstrating secret recipes handed down for generations.  Simple techniques with simple kitchen tools that create elegant and sophisticated flavours.  
 
Each 3-hour session will be a trip through an Italian vegetable garden, a well-stocked food pantry and an abundant vineyard.  We will learn traditional techniques, discover new spices and herbs, and learn the traditions of Italian holidays and lifestyle.  We learn about local ingredients and where you can locate supplies.
Get ready to learn some Italian words and phrases you can use at your very own table.  Our classes SELL OUT quickly so don't delay!

IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS - [email protected]
La Bella Tavola is run by Kelowna Canadian Italian Club member volunteers.  Funds raised through our cooking classes are used to support Italian cultural programs and services in our community.

About our classes

PASTA class outline:

  • Price per seat includes taxes.
  • Each student will receive a La Bella Tavola apron.
  • Registration fee is non-refundable.
  • Students should arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.
  • Appetizers and beverages will be served to start off the evening and then we roll up our sleeves and get ready to cook! 
  • This is a hands-on class and therefor students will be mixing, kneading, rolling and forming the pasta.
  • Following the instruction portion, the class will then be seated A La Bella Tavola to enjoy our fresh pasta, beverages, dessert, a cup of espresso and wine tasting.  Each class will conclude with a cultural presentation.
  • Students must be 19+ to attend.
  • 20 students per class.
Complimentary recipes from the class will be emailed to you after the class.

baking class outline:

  • Price per seat includes taxes.
  • Each student will receive a La Bella Tavola apron.
  • Registration fee is non-refundable.
  • Students should arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.
  • This is a combination demonstrations and  hands-on class and therefor students will be mixing, kneading, rolling and forming the dough.
  • Following the instruction portion, the class will then be seated at La Bella Tavola to enjoy our fresh dolci and espresso.  Each class will conclude with a cultural presentation.
  • Students must be 19+ to attend.
  • 20 students per class.
Complimentary recipes from the class will be emailed to you after the class.

La dolce vita - baking class

a few notes before you come to a class

  • The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club's first priority is the safety of our volunteers and our guests.  We have taken every precaution to make your experience at La Bella Tavola a safe an enjoyable experience.   While masks are not mandatory, you are welcome to wear a mask during the class if that makes you feel more comfortable.  Work stations will be sanitized and made up of tables of 5 participants.  In order to protect those attending the class, we ask that you not attend if you are unwell or experiencing any Covid symptoms.
  • Due to the nature of our program we are unable to make accommodations for allergies. Please note that many of our recipes contain gluten and dairy. We also cannot guarantee that ingredients used have not come in contact with nuts and nut bi-products. For this reason, if possible we may be able to make modifications for food preference, but are unable to make modifications for allergies as we cannot guarantee that ingredients have not come in contact with potential allergens.
  • Please wear closed toe shoes to the cooking classes. 
  • No need to bring any supplies – all tools and ingredients are supplied.

pasta alla paesana

Oh, MY SWEET GNOCCHI 

i ravioli della nonna 

About our Program:
La Bella Tavola - Italian Cooking Classes are made possible with the support of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club and a small group of dedicated volunteers.  Our talented presenters come to La Bella Tavola with years of experience and their love for Italian food.  They each bring traditional recipes and techniques from different regions of Italy.

 

 


​meet the la bella tavola team

La bella tavola team

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La Bella Tavola (The Beautiful Table) Committee was formed in 2018 to promote Italian culture and traditions by teaching the community the art of Italian cooking. This group believes that one of the best ways to promote and share the Italian culture is by teaching and preserving the art of cooking. They encourage collaboration between different generations when producing classes and events. La Bella Tavola committee participants range in age from the mid 20's to the mid 80's (we have some special Nonnas who are our feature presenters).

To date, La Bella Tavola Cooking Classes have hosted 18 classes with 210 students take part in their program. Each class consists of a hands on pasta making portion, a family style dinner at "the Beautiful Table" and then the evening is wrapped up with a cultural presentation.  
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Together, this group shares their love and knowledge of Italian language, culture, cooking techniques, travel, art, history and friendship.
LA BELLA TAVOLA - IN THE COMMUNITY
Kelowna Canadian Italian Club & JoeAnna's House - Share a Meal Program
On December 6, we took part in the Joe Anna’s House - Share a Meal Program.
JoeAnna’s House provides accommodations for out-of-town families with loved ones receiving care at KGH. It provides families with a safe and comfortable place to call home when they need it most.
Our volunteers created a beautiful Italian menu, made sauce, rolled meatballs and baked fresh apple crips for the guests of JoeAnna’s House. By volunteering our time and efforts, we are helping to lessen the stress of having to prepare a meal and offset some of the costs JoeAnna’s House guests’ face when they are away from home.
The JoeAnna’s House staff took us on a tour and made us feel so welcome. It instantly felt like a home away from home. We enjoyed cooking together in the beautiful kitchen facility. We learned a lot about JoeAnna’s House and how important this facility is to those who need it.
We rolled up our sleeves and got to work! Sauce was bubbling and pasta was boiling, Italian music was playing in the background as we all sang along…and a bond between volunteers was definitely present.
It really felt good to give…and see the faces of those who appreciated our efforts. A home-cooked meal is a wonderful gift.
It’s said that the people who give you their food, give you their heart, and after a long day at the hospital, that in itself, can make all the difference. This is why we supported the JoeAnna’s House - Share a Meal program.
Team La Bella Tavola at JoeAnna's House
December 2023