Cooking Lessons

Taste of Italy offers authentic Italian cooking lessons in a cozy & relaxed home setting where you will learn the secrets and traditions of Italian home cooking. Taste of Italy opened its doors to gastronomes and Italian food enthusiasts in January of 2007 and since then, people all over the world take a little of Bologna back home with them.

There are lessons for everyone, from the absolute beginner in the kitchen to the professional chef looking to learn a new skill! My Market to Table (MT) lessons include shopping in the outdoor markets of Bologna. If you have questions, contact me.

If you are a travel agent, please write for special lessons for your VIP clients.

All lessons are hands-on and are adapted to your level of experience and personal taste as well as the availability of seasonal ingredients. In the pasta lessons you will learn techniques and tips for making fresh, handmade pasta. The pasta is made entirely by hand: handmade, hand-rolled and hand-shaped, the way we do it in Emilia-Romagna. However, if you’d prefer to work with the pasta machine, I can also arrange that!

Below is a summary of my cooking lessons. Please write for a full description, times, prices for children, guests, private lessons or help choosing the right lesson for you!

Italian Cooking Lessons

  • Classic Pasta Making Lesson

    You’ll make two traditional pasta shapes and their traditional accompanying sauces that will become your meal. 130€ per person.

  • MT1 Traditional Bolognese

    Shop at the outdoor market; and choose what to prepare from a list of dishes. You prepare 2 pasta dishes and accompanying sauces plus an antipasto and dessert. 175€ PP

  • MT2 Vegetarian Fresh Pasta

    Shop at the outdoor market; and choose seasonal or classic vegetarian. You prepare 2 pasta dishes and accompanying sauces plus an antipasto and dessert. 175€ PP

  • MT3 Mostly Vegetarian Fresh Pasta

    Shop at the outdoor market; and choose seasonal or classic dish with small amount of meat. You prepare 2 pasta dishes and accompanying sauces plus an antipasto and dessert. 175€ PP

  • MT4 Gluten Free Pasta Lesson

    Silky, fresh egg pasta is within reach! Any of the pasta lessons can be made gluten-free. You will prepare 2 sauces and pasta shapes such as tortelli and tagliatelle noodles using gluten-free flour. The specific menu will be drawn up to your likes, allergies and intolerances in mind. 175€ PP

  • MT5 Traditional Colored Pasta – Advanced lesson

    Colored pasta is beautiful; however, the consistency of the natural ingredients used to color the dough can make working the dough challenging. We will discuss and pratice how to handle up to 3 different colors. Some pasta making experience is necessary. 175€ PP

  • MT6 The Tortellino – Advanced lesson

    The Bolognese tradition has very precise rules regarding how to make the best filling, broth and pasta in order to obtain the very best tortellini. We will discuss the ingredients as well as make the filling, broth and pasta dough and that famous little shape. 185€ PP

  • MT7 Cook with Parmigiano-Reggiano

    We discuss the 3 different official ages of Parmigiano-Reggiano and then prepare a four course meal where we use this marvelous regional specialty. You pick the dishes from a list. For the first course, you could prepare either a handmade pasta or a risotto. 185€ PP

  • MT8 Cook with Traditional Balsamic Vinegar

    We discuss what makes Modena's Traditional Balsamic vinegar special and then prepare a four course meal based on this magnificent regional specialty. You choose from a list of dishes. For the first course, you could prepare either a handmade pasta or a risotto. 185€ PP

  • MT9 Vegetarian Cooking, Italian Style

    Italy boasts a great variety of vegetables, fruit, grains and cheeses so the vegetarian, by choice or by taste, will find an infinite variety of dishes to prepare. We will let the seasons be our guide as we prepare 4-5 dishes that are both fairly easy and tasty; guaranteed to be a success among non-vegetarians! 175€ PP

  • MT10 Risotto

    Risotto is perfect in cold weather and there are infinite versions for this marvelous dish. You will choose 2-3 different risotti to make (depending on complexity) from a list that spans from Butternut Squash and smoked cheese risotto to classic Saffron risotto. Available only from late September through mid May. 175€ PP

  • Culinary Student Lesson

    A private lesson for experienced cooks and/or chefs only. The lesson is tailored to your specific request. This lesson is fast paced in order to cover everything in the alloted time. Price available upon request.

More Info

Check out momondo’s Bologna Guide for travel inspiration!