In-Person Cooking Class

Italy by Ingredient: Truffles and Mushrooms

Sat | Nov 10, 2018 | 3–7P PT

Teacher Viola Buitoni

Today truffles and mushrooms are rarefied luxuries, but while Viola was growing up, they were the full basket on her nonna’s arm after an autumnal stroll in the Umbrian woods. In a hands-on class featuring these star ingredients, Viola will teach a hit list of holiday specialties from the kitchen where she honed her appreciation for food by the side of generations of Italian women.

Menu | Recipes

Risotto ai porcini
Porcini risotto

Paté di trombette dei morti
Black trumpet pate

Paté alla spoletina
Black truffle and anchovy pate

Flan di funghi con fonduta di formaggio e tartufi
Mushroom flan with cheese fondue and truffles

Uova d’anatra in crema al tartufo bianco
Duck eggs and crème fraîche custard with white truffle and parmigiano

Gallinacci al cartoccio
Chanterelle en papillote

About the teacher

Viola Buitoni

VIOLA BUITONI, chef instructor and food writer, was born in Rome and raised in Perugia, Italy. The stories and knowledge from six generations cross with the best of California agriculture and the finest Italian food imports to infuse her dishes, and her teaching.

Viola’s opera prima, Italy by Ingredient - Artisanal Foods/Modern Recipes was released by Rizzoli in September 2023, to great acclaim.

Viola has taught Italian cooking since 2009, after years as a chef and caterer in New York. She is the resident Italian instructor at The Civic Kitchen and has led classes at venues across the U.S. and Italy, including the Culinary Institute of America, Eataly, and Milk Street.

In addition to teaching and leading culinary tours in Italy, Viola serves as a food advisor for San Francisco’s Italian Consulate and Cultural Institute. Her writing has appeared in La Cucina Italiana and Italy Segreta.

In 2020, the President of the Italian Republic awarded her the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for her work to further the culture and business of Italian food.

Viola is a longtime resident of SF’s Mission District, where she lives with her husband and son.

More about Viola

Other Classes taught by Viola

Italy by Ingredient: Pomodori! (Tomatoes)
Fri | Aug 28, 2026 | 6P

Mani in Pasta: Session 1 (Pasta North to South)
Part of the Viola’s Mani in Pasta: A 2-part fresh pasta workshop Series
Sat | Sep 19, 2026 | 3P

Mani in Pasta: Session 2 (Regional Italian Stuffed Pastas)
Part of the Viola’s Mani in Pasta: A 2-part fresh pasta workshop Series
Sun | Sep 20, 2026 | 3P