Cooking Class in Parma Villa: Make Fresh Pasta & Dine

Make two types of fresh pasta from scratch, then eat what you cooked

A private cooking class in Parma held at a local cook's villa, where you prepare tagliatelle and tortelli d'erbetta by hand, then sit at her table for a four-course meal with wine. You choose between a morning class ending in lunch or an evening class ending in dinner. The cook speaks English and shares the techniques behind Parma's traditional recipes, and all ingredients, tools and an apron are provided.

The Experience

The class opens with an aperitivo in the villa's garden: prosciutto di Parma, salame, Parmigiano Reggiano and a glass of local wine while you meet your hostess. Then you move into the kitchen and work through two pastas: tagliatelle with tomato and basil, and tortelli d'erbetta, the traditional Parma filling of ricotta, spinach and Parmigiano Reggiano. You're hands-on for the entire class, learning the cook's techniques as you shape and fold. She shares the secrets she's accumulated over years of cooking in Parma, and you keep a copy of the recipes to take home.

Once the pasta is ready, you sit together at her table in the villa and eat what you made, course by course, matched with local wine. The meal rounds off with sbrisolona, a crumbly almond cake that's a regional favorite, and coffee. The morning class runs from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The evening class from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Either way, you leave with the recipes, the memory of cooking in an Italian villa, and the knowledge of how to make two of Parma's most traditional dishes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Italian16:30

Guide in English or Italian10:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

What’s included

• All ingredients and cooking tools.
• a complimentary apron.
• instruction from a local English-speaking cook.
• recipes to take home.
• aperitivo with prosciutto di Parma, salame and Parmigiano Reggiano in the villa garden.
• local wine throughout the class and meal.
• lunch or dinner (tagliatelle, tortelli d'erbetta, sbrisolona and coffee, depending on which time slot you choose).

Days and timesTue–Sun · 2 departure times, from 10:30 to 16:30

AgesAges 16+ · Under 16 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “The villa is located just outside the city centre of Parma. The ride by car or taxi will take about 10 mins from the city centre. You can also reach the Villa …”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Stroller friendly

Operated by Maestro Travel Experience

Is this one for you?Book the morning class if you want to cook and eat lunch in daylight. Choose the evening class if you prefer an afternoon start and a dinner table as the light fades. Either way, the four-hour window gives you time to learn the pasta techniques without rushing through the meal.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What exactly do I make during the cooking class?

You prepare tagliatelle with tomato and basil and tortelli d'erbetta, a traditional Parma pasta filled with ricotta, spinach and Parmigiano Reggiano. Both are made from fresh egg pasta that you shape by hand, and you work through the entire process step by step with the cook.

Do I choose between lunch and dinner, or does the class time decide it?

You choose at checkout: the morning class with lunch runs 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, and the evening class with dinner runs 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Either way, you eat the pasta you cooked, matched with local wine and finished with sbrisolona and coffee.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The class includes all ingredients, cooking tools, a complimentary apron, the cook's instruction in English, local wine with the meal, and lunch or dinner depending on which option you book. You don't need to bring anything except an appetite and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

Can the cook accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes. If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, let the operator know at the time of booking and an alternative menu will be suggested so you can still enjoy the class and the meal.

Is this class suitable for someone who's never cooked before?

Yes. The cook works with you step by step and shares her techniques as you go. The class is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to make Parma's traditional pasta, regardless of cooking experience.