Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in Parma

The host in Parma was very nice and all, but now I realize I was basically scammed. We made one simple pasta and one dessert (tiramisu). The aperitif consisted of the cheapest half bottle of wine, a small bowl of planters peanuts and corn chips cracked up into pieces and when I asked what it was she said, “Masa”. I almost laughed. It was corn Tostitos cracked up in a bowl. It was nice time visiting, but the cost for two people was a joke. It was worth maybe $25 per person,maximum. The reason I say scammed is because my wife and I just did a 9 hour wine tour which was awesome for the same cost.

Wow! What a memorable experience. Our cooking class with Mauro and his wife Natalia was spendido! We really did not know what to expect, but it certainly exceeded whatever expectations we could have had. Mauro and Natalia are delightful, have lots of energy, and made us feel truly like family. The meal we prepared was pretty good, too! lol. Seriously, this was a highlight of our 3-week adventure in northern Italy. We prepared and ate many courses of a delicious meal, getting to know each other during the relaxing evening. And we were fortunate to have toured Mauro's fascinating garden where he grows and nurtures all kinds of goodies that he uses in his cooking and drinking. This was an A+ activity, and we will look to do this again when we return to Italy. Thank you Mauro and Natalia!

This is as genuine experience as one could hope for. Cari’s and Augusto welcomed us into their home and the time together learning about local food and culture was tremendous. I highly recommend spending an evening with them.

It was wonderful being invited into Paola‘s home and getting to experience recipe from her family. We had a wonderful time both preparing and enjoying the food as was as the conversation with you and your husband. It was certainly a great way to end our day in Parma.

It was a wonderful experience learning the Italian ways to make pasta. Cooking with a local makes all the difference. We had a great time learning from David’s S. Make sure to arrange a ride to your place. There may not be trains traveling to your destination.

Catia, our Cesarina in Parma, along with Augusto, her husband, welcomed us into their home to show us how to prepare some typical dishes of Parma. Four of us participated: grandparents and 2 college-aged grandchildren. To begin, we were shown to a table full with antipasti typical of the Parma area, including prosciutto di Parma, salumi, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, assorted bread and crackers, open-faced sandwich squares, etc. We also learned about prosciutto (with an actual prosciutto ham as a visual aide) from Augusto, who worked many years in Langhirano, the major production centre for the Prosciutto di Parma. After enjoying the antipasti, we went into the kitchen to prepare 2 types of tortelli-and tiramisu for dessert. We enjoyed the pleasant company of our hosts and all the knowledge they imparted while preparing the dishes. Our 20-something grandchildren especially liked the personal quality of being with an Italian family in their home, and learning from and conversing with them. They even tried to speak a little Italian with our hosts. After enjoying our dinner together, we headed to Milan. Catia even packed a care-package of the extra tiramisu for our granddaughter (study abroad student) to take back to school in Milan. Grazie mille, Catia and Augusto for the wonderful cooking experience you provided for us, and the lifetime memories you have created for our grandchildren.

What a great and authentic experience! The company was great and the food was better. A must do in Parma!

We had a great time cooking with Catia and her husband. They were gracious hosts and treated us like family. It was fun getting to learn about the different recipes and traditions in Parma! I also got to work on my Italian which is always a plus.

Spending the night in Parma with Gulia, Katia, and Augusto was an unforgettable experience filled with warmth, generosity, and joy. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed into their home as though we were part of the family. We gathered in the kitchen, where laughter mixed with conversation and stories as we prepared tortelli by hand. Between these moments, we paused to enjoy Katia’s homemade snacks, continuing to share the experiences of our cultures. Later, we sat together at the table, savoring the meal we had created, accompanied by glasses of the family’s own wine. Cooking, eating, and talking together felt like stepping into the very heart of Parma, creating memories I will cherish forever.

Such a beautiful experience! We felt so welcomed—like part of the family. It was more than a cooking class; it was a true dive into Italian culture, flavors, and hospitality. Unforgettable!