Bologna Gourmet

Amazing experience in the heart of Bologna! This cooking class was everything we wanted and more. Ilaria was a lovely host and it was great hearing about her life and her passion for cooking. In addition, she gave lots of recommendations for restaurants and other activities in Bologna so we'd recommend planning this cooking experience earlier in your trip. We kept it simple and opted to make the classics, a ragu with fresh pasta and tiramisu and they were honestly the tastiest dishes we'd ever made! We also appreciated Ilaria's teaching style which made everything easy to follow.

Ilaria was a spectacular teacher, tour guide and hostess! Definitely book the market tour as well as the cooking school. We learned so much about parmigiana, prosciutto and balsamic! We made our own tortelloni and tagliatelle with a spectacular beef/pork ragu. Do not miss this experience!

On our recent visit to Bologna, Ilaria, who had been recommended to us by a Toronto chef we knew, took us on 2 fabulous full day food tours. She was a phenomenal and very knowledgeable guide and we loved our experience with her! She customised the tours to our requests. On the first day, she picked us up at our hotel and drove us to Parma, where she took us for a typical Parman breakfast and then to see the salient city sights before going to a small local prosciutto maker, where we toured the premises before having a delicious lunch. The following day, we learned how Parmigiano-Reggiano and artisinal balsamic vinegar are made at two small producers in Modena. Again, she picked us up in her car and took us to the producers and then, as we had requested, into Modena's historic centre, where she took us to the beautiful market where we feasted on local specialties: erbazzone, warm panini with cotechino and green sauce, hand-made tortellini and multiple sweets that she chose for us. Finally she took us to the nearby Ferrari museum before getting us back to our hotel at 6! We had two very memorable days with non-stop (but very relaxed) activities. Molto grazie, Ilaria!

We did the Between Modena and Parma tour and had the best day with Ilaria. Ilaria is so knowledgeable and we had a great tour to see how Parmigiana Reggiano is made as well as visiting an acetaia to taste the absolute best tradizionale balsamic. Because of driving and Google maps hiccups on our part we had to make a Plan B which was lunch at La Lumira for handmade tortellini en brodo. Spending the day with Ilaria will be a highlight of our time in Italy. Ilaria was quick to answer questions and communicate before our tour and did a great job explaining local history and traditional dishes. I highly recommend doing a tour or cooking class with Ilaria, I will definitely be a return customer!

My wife and I had a unambiguously great pasta lesson with ilaira. SHe took her time, explained everything, guided us through the difficulties, and sat down with us as we ate our creations. I could not recommend more highly. thanks iliaria!

We had the most memorable day with Ilaria. We made ragu, pasta, meatballs, and dessert. We laughed and learned. I even brought my 3 year old who had a blast. I recommend this cooking class and I'm a little sad we didn't book a tour, next time!

Had the most amazing day with ilaria! Did the market tour in the morning followed by the cooking class! HIGHLY recommend if you are coming to the city!