Pasta, Truffle and Wine: hands-on class in a medieval town
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Escape the crowds and discover Calestano, a charming medieval village in the hills near Parma. In our family home, you’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking class that’s warm, personal, and 100% Italian.
Together we’ll make fresh ravioli and tagliatelle using seasonal, organic ingredients from our garden. Want to make it extra special? You can add local black truffle.
After cooking, we’ll sit down to a full Italian meal: homemade antipasti, your pasta dishes, local wine, and a sweet finale with my signature tiramisu.
Expect stunning countryside views, a relaxed family vibe, and maybe a visit from Cesare and Cindy, our friendly cats.
No car? No worries — 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 warm and intimate cooking class (max 8 guests) in a real family home, hosted by Virginia and Mamma Nadia—with our charming cats Cesare & Cindy to greet you with a purr. We’ll start by preparing two traditional pastas: pillowy ravioli and silky tagliatelle, all made from scratch using organic, seasonal ingredients—just like Italian grandmothers have done for generations. Want to elevate the experience? Choose the optional black truffle upgrade, sourced locally from these very hills. After cooking, you’ll sit down on our panoramic terrace to enjoy a full, slow-paced Italian meal. Begin with local antipasti and wine, then savor your freshly made pasta, followed by our signature tiramisu. All accompanied by breathtaking views, heartfelt conversation, and plenty of wine. Whether you’re a passionate foodie, a curious traveler, or a couple seeking something truly special—this is more than a cooking class. It’s a slice of authentic Italy.
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
88 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best day trip of all!
Isabel L,
Sep 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00This 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!
Cooking in Italy. Need I say more.
Dean E,
Jan 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00Was a great experience. Great little town and view from the kitchen and the whole night was just fantastic. Pasta making in Italy do I need to say more. :) book it.
The Best Parma Experience
Nicole M,
Jan 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00Truly the highlight of our Parma experience! I cannot rate this high enough! Virginia was able to pick us up in the city center and bring us to the beautiful place her and her mother reside. Virginia is a fantastic instructor and we were able to relax on her balcony and eat some of the best pasta we’ve ever had. The ingredients were so fresh, we literally watched Virginia’s mom pick basil off of a plant on her balcony for our meal. We felt so at ease and would recommend this to anyone traveling to Parma!
Highlight of our trip!
Dulce B,
Dec 1, 2024
- Viator
5.00FANTASTIC! Highlight of our trip! Virginia is a pasta expert! Our meal was extraordinary and we enjoyed it overlooking a beautiful view of a small and very quaint town from the rooftop of her apt. It was perfect!
A wonderful experience in Calestano
Alvin E,
Sep 21, 2024
- Viator
5.00We took the train from Bologna to Parma, and thanks to Virginia for being our transfer driver as well as our host and teacher. Her mother was delightful, and Cesar the cat was very cute. Her home is situated in the town of Calestano... very beautiful. The view from the terrace is stunning. We had so much fun making ravioli with truffle ricotta filling as well as tagliatelle. Virginia is an excellent teacher, and is very patient. The aperitivo and wine were wonderful, as was the homemade tiramisù. The stars of our lunch however were our ravioli and the tagliatelle with homemade red sauce... buonissimo! Grazie mille a Virginia! Highly recommend this experience.
Related Experiences
Operated by Pasta Special Cooking Class