You’ll roll fresh pasta dough with flour-dusted hands in central Bologna, learn secrets from a local chef, and share laughter over homemade tiramisu and regional wine. Expect real conversation around the table — and maybe a new appreciation for patience (and Prosecco).
“No need to rush — pasta likes patience,” our chef said, waving her flour-dusted hands as if she was calming down the dough itself. I liked her right away. The kitchen smelled like tomatoes simmering somewhere out of sight, and there was this gentle clatter of plates from the restaurant beyond. We’d just stepped off the busy Bologna street into what felt like someone’s home — a little nervous, honestly, because I can barely scramble eggs back home.
We started with a glass of Prosecco (I tried not to drink it too fast), then tied on aprons that were definitely too big for me. Our guide explained the difference between pasta fresca and pasta secca — I’d never really thought about it before. My hands disappeared into soft flour and eggs; it was stickier than I expected, but somehow comforting. She showed us how to press the dough just right, not too hard, not too soft — kind of like coaxing a cat onto your lap. There was laughter when someone’s ravioli burst open and ricotta oozed out everywhere. Nobody cared.
Making tiramisu was messier than I’d imagined. The mascarpone was cold and creamy; I got some on my shirt sleeve without noticing until later (classic me). As we sat down together at a long table, plates of fettuccine with tomato sauce arrived — simple but so good after all that effort. The local red wine tasted almost peppery next to the sage butter on the ravioli. We talked about where everyone came from; someone from Naples joked that Bologna’s food is “dangerous” because you never want to leave.
I still think about how relaxed I felt by the end — full in every sense, you know? If you’re looking for a pasta cooking class in Bologna that’s more about sharing than showing off, this one just feels real.
Yes, it takes place in a locally loved restaurant in central Bologna.
You’ll make fresh fettuccine with tomato sauce, ricotta & spinach ravioli with butter and sage, plus tiramisu.
Yes, you’ll get a welcome glass of Prosecco and wine with your meal.
Yes, after cooking you’ll sit down together for lunch or dinner featuring what you made.
Infants and small children can join if they’re in a pram or stroller.
The menu includes vegetarian dishes such as ricotta & spinach ravioli.
This activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
Yes, there are public transport options close to the meeting point.
Your day includes all ingredients for making fresh pasta and tiramisu in a central Bologna restaurant kitchen, step-by-step guidance from a local chef, welcome Prosecco on arrival, regional wines or non-alcoholic drinks with your meal, plus time around the table sharing everything you’ve cooked together before heading out again into Bologna’s lively streets.
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