Pasta, Truffle and Wine: hands-on class in a medieval town

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Escape the crowds and discover Calestano, a peaceful medieval village in the Parma hills. Step into our family home for a hands-on cooking class that is warm, personal, and authentically Italian.

Together, we’ll prepare fresh ravioli and silky tagliatelle, made with seasonal, organic ingredients — many from our own garden. Want to make it extra special? Add the flavor of local black truffle, harvested right here in these hills.

After cooking, we’ll gather around the table for a true Italian meal: homemade antipasti, your pasta creations, local wine, and a sweet finale with my signature tiramisù.

Expect stunning countryside views, a relaxed family atmosphere, and perhaps a visit from Cesare and Cindy, our friendly cats.

No car? No problem — optional transport from Parma makes everything easy.

More than just a class, this is a slice of real Italian life. Come cook, eat, and laugh with us in the heart of the Food Valley.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Bottled water

Alcoholic Beverages

Lunch

Dinner

Fresh pasta class, aperitif with local products and wine, lunch or dinner with the pasta made together, homemade tiramisu. TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.

Coffee and/or Tea

What To Expect

Escape the tourist crowds and discover Calestano, a peaceful medieval village nestled in the Parma hills, just 40 minutes from the city. Join our intimate cooking class (max 8 guests) in a real family home with Virginia and Mamma Nadia — and our cats Cesare & Cindy to welcome you. Together, we’ll prepare two traditional pastas: soft ricotta ravioli and silky tagliatelle, all made from scratch with seasonal, organic ingredients. Want to elevate the experience? Add the optional black truffle upgrade, sourced locally from these hills. After cooking, relax on our panoramic terrace and enjoy a full Italian meal: local antipasti with wine, your freshly made pasta, and our family tiramisù. Expect warm conversation, breathtaking views, and plenty of wine. For your comfort, a transfer from Parma is available. More than a class, this is a slice of authentic Italy — to cook, taste, and share together.

Sample Menu

starter

Tasting

Tasting of typical Parma cured meats and two different vintages of Parmigiano Reggiano. All accompanied by a glass of local wine.

main

Fresh pasta made by you

It will be seasoned with a homemade sauce (the ingredients vary according to their seasonality).

dessert

tiramisu

Tiramisu prepared by me

Options

Fresh Pasta Class with Local Wine Tasting

Pasta Class Basic.: Pastaclass where we will make various shapes. Truffle not included
Transport service (FROM/TO PARMA).: Transport service NOT included in the price.

Black Truffle Experience

Duration: 3 hours
Black truffle menu: We will create a meal based on local black truffle - Fragno black truffle - and I will teach you all the secrets to replicate at home
Visit in the center of Calestano
transport not included

Reviews

4.90

96 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great experience
Rito H,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
"I had a wonderful time at the pasta-making class with Virginia and her mom. They were incredibly warm and welcoming. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Parma!"
Fun Learning experience in a beautiful setting
Patricia B,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Very personable , spoke good English was very fun and we learned a lot. The town is beautiful. The pasta was delicious
Perfect Pasta
Petra B,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great hands on pasta making class hosted by Virginia and her mom about 45min drive south of Parma in lovely little village. It was very fun and a great way to spend time with locals and meet fellow travelers.
Pasta making with Virginia
FarAway33931890172,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Virgina greeted us promptly at our hotel and transported us to and from her home. It is in a quaint small village in the surrounding mountains. We enjoyed learning about the art of making pasta and definitely had a deeper appreciation for it after this class. Her mother was delightful sharing her homemade delights.
Wonderful Day
Veronica M,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is a wonderful way to meet people from all over the world, learn to make pasta, eat some delicious food and share some wonderful wine!
Pasta Perfection!
Anne M,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Beautiful little town outside of Parma. Learned a lot of pasta making secrets, and Virginia was an excellent teacher. Our lunch was held on their beautiful terrace. A lovely way to get personal with pasta!
A fabulous evening.
Kerry M,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Virginia and her mother welcomed us into their home sharing their expert pasta making skills with a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs. The ravioli and tagliatelle, completed by Mama’s home made sauce was delicious, as we enjoyed them accompanied by local wine and good conversation on their balcony. Grazie. A lovely experience.
In Nona’s kitchen
reneehG5571JW,
Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We were immersed in the Italian culture. It was a wonderful experience. The food was very good. I learned new techniques to take home. Although if it wasn’t for a passerby, we may have never found the place. Better signs for the school would be good.
Best day trip of all!
Isabel L,
Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was by far our favorite day trip while visiting Italy. The cooking lesson was fantastic and Virginia and her mother made us feel so welcome. After preparing the pasta, our host served a wonderful meal, complete with caprese salad made with their homegrown tomatoes, dessert and wine. Absolutely the best!
Authentic italian pasta making experience.
chidiree2025,
Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Exactly what we were looking for. Recipes that we can recreate, actual instruction and participation, tasty food, warm weather and the host was very friendly!