Private cooking class in Parma: Learn 3 authentic recipes

Cook three generations of Parma recipes in a home kitchen, then eat them

A private cooking class in a local home in Parma where you learn three authentic regional recipes (starter, fresh pasta and dessert) from an Italian home cook, then share lunch or dinner at the family table with local wines. The class runs three hours in English or Italian, and you choose between a morning or afternoon session at checkout.

The Experience

What separates this from a restaurant demo is that you're standing at your own workstation in someone's home kitchen, hands on the ingredients, learning the techniques a Parma family has used for generations. Your host (a home cook vetted by Cesarine, Italy's network of culinary hosts) walks you through three dishes: a seasonal starter, fresh pasta (potato gnocchi, pumpkin tortelli, or herb and ricotta stuffed tortelli, depending on the day), and a Parma dessert like sweet tortelli, spongata cake, or tiramisu. You're not watching a demonstration. You're making it.

After three hours of cooking, you sit down at the family table with everything you've prepared. Local wines come with the meal, and espresso closes it out. The morning and afternoon options let you fit the class around the rest of your day in the city. Pick whichever works for your schedule when you book.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Italian10:00

Guide in English or Italian17:00

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

• Hands-on instruction in three authentic Parma recipes.
• all ingredients and cooking utensils.
• lunch or dinner of everything you prepare.
• local wines and espresso.
• live guide in English or Italian.

Days and timesDaily · 2 departure times, from 10:00 to 17:00

AgesAges 9+ · 4 to 8 years · Under 4 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “This experience will be held in a local's home. For privacy reasons, you will receive the full address of your Cesarina host after you have booked. We will cont…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Pets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cesarine: Cooking Class

Is this one for you?Choose the morning class if you want the rest of your afternoon free in Parma, or the afternoon session if you prefer to explore the city first. Either way, you're cooking in a real home kitchen with a local host, not in a commercial cooking school.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

4 to 8 years; under 4, free.

What exactly do I cook in the three-hour class?

You make a seasonal starter, a fresh pasta dish (the specific shape depends on what's in season, potato gnocchi, pumpkin tortelli, or herb and ricotta tortelli are common), and a Parma dessert such as sweet tortelli, spongata cake, tiramisu or similar regional specialties. Your host teaches the techniques as you work.

Do I eat what I cook, or is it just a tasting?

You eat a full lunch or dinner of everything you've made, seated at the family table with your host. Local wines and espresso are included with the meal.

Is the class in English?

Yes, the class is offered in English or Italian. You choose the language that works for you when you book.

Can I pick a morning or afternoon class?

Both options are available. You select either the morning or afternoon cooking class at checkout, whichever fits your schedule in Parma.

What's included in the price?

The class includes all ingredients and utensils, instruction from your local host, water, local wines during the meal, and espresso. You leave with the skills to make these dishes at home.