Italian Gelato Virtual Cooking Class

If you've ever had real Italian gelato, you know it’s completely different than American ice cream! It’s smoother, denser, more flavorful, and just so delicious.

During this live virtual class, I’m going to teach you exactly how I learned to make gelato in culinary school in Italy, including the science behind balancing a gelato recipe and the techniques that create that signature creamy texture.

This class is perfect whether you:

Want to recreate authentic Italian gelato at home
Love learning the “why” behind gelato, including how to balance a recipe and the techniques for recreating this iconic dessert at home
Have tried homemade ice cream before, but want to learn Italy's version
Or simply want a really fun Friday night, learning something new

During this two-hour live Zoom class, we’ll go over all of the must-know parts of gelato, from what makes gelato unique, the proper ingredients, balancing a gelato recipe, and how to properly cook and churn gelato from scratch. We'll be making a classic fior di latte (milk based) gelato together in class.

The differences between gelato and traditional American ice cream.
The role sugar, fat, milk solids, and stabilizers play in gelato.
How to properly balance a gelato recipe for the best texture and scoopability.
Why authentic Italian gelato has a smoother, denser consistency.
How to cook and pasteurize a gelato base.
Tips for preventing icy or grainy texture.
How to churn gelato for the best consistency at home.
My favorite ingredients and flavor tips from culinary school in Italy.
How to confidently start creating your own gelato flavors.
A downloadable eBook with the recipes from the class to keep for reference.
30-day access to the class replay, so you can rewatch or cook along at your own pace.

Here's how the virtual class works:

1. After you sign up, I’ll send you everything you need.
You’ll receive an email with your personal Zoom link, recipe eBook, equipment list, and grocery shopping list. There are a few specialty ingredients you'll need to order.

2. Prep your ingredients before class starts.
I’ll let you know exactly what to prep ahead of time so class feels relaxed, fun, and easy to follow along with.

3. Join me live on Zoom and cook alongside me step-by-step.
You’re welcome to cook in real time, take notes while watching, or simply hang out and learn. Whatever feels most comfortable for you! We'll start the class out with a gelato lesson, then get into the hands-on cooking and churning process.

4. Ask questions as we cook together.
One of the best parts of the class is that it’s interactive. If you have questions about a technique, ingredient, or step, you can ask me live during class.

5. Rewatch the class anytime.
You’ll receive access to the replay after class, so you can revisit the techniques again at your own pace.

Hey there, I'm Jessica! I have several years of formal and informal culinary training that have led me to this point, including attending culinary school in Southern Italy.

I'm always reading, watching, and taking courses about food so I can continue to learn and teach you!

During this class, I’ll be showing you how to make authentic Italian gelato completely from scratch.

More importantly, we'll build approachable, repeatable techniques you can use long after class ends.

My goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen and inspired to make gelato at home!

Do I need any special equipment or ingredients?

There are a few unique ingredients and equipment needed to make Italian gelato, including dextrose, guar gum, and locust bean gum. In addition, you'll need an ice cream machine for churning the gelato.

I’ll send out a full list of ingredients and tools after you register.

Can beginners take this class?

Absolutely! This class is perfect for beginners and home cooks who want to improve their kitchen skills and learn about authentic Italian gelato. I’ll guide you through everything step-by-step, and you'll learn how to balance a gelato formula if you want to create or adjust ratios for your own recipe.

Will I be cooking during the class or just watching?

The class will begin with an overview of all things gelato, including the importance of each ingredient and how to balance a gelato formula. This will be especially helpful if you want to start creating your own gelato recipes. Then, we'll cook and churn the gelato base together.

You're welcome to invite a friend to come learn alongside you. You’ll also have access to the class replay, so you can come back and watch again at a later date.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

FAQs