Master the Art of Pasta: An Extensive Hands-On Cooking Class with a Pasta Maestro
5 hours
Cooking Classes
Bologna
Your local for this experience
Experience hosted by Giuseppe
Private Experience
Carbon Neutral
Learn the art of making pasta from scratch with a hands-on cooking workshop! Join Pasta Maestro Giuseppe for a fun, private class where you’ll create, cook, and enjoy your very own delicious pasta. Perfect for food lovers looking to dive into authentic Italian cuisine!
Destination
Bologna, Italy
Category
Cooking Classes
Duration
5 hours
Cuisine
Italian
Available languages
English, Italiano
Included
Private guide
Meals
Equipment
5 reasons to book this tour
Beautiful penthouse with views of Bologna Hills
Private hands-on workshop with expert Giuseppe
Make Tortellini, Tagliatelle, and Ragu Bolognese
Taste local delicacies and wines
All materials and ingredients provided for all skill levels
What you can expect
Join me, Giuseppe, an expert pasta maker, for an exclusive hands-on cooking workshop in a beautiful penthouse near the Mercato della Erbe, offering stunning views over the Bologna Hills. In this 5-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to make traditional Italian dishes such as Tortellini, Tortelloni, Tagliatelle, Tigelle, and Ragù Bolognese. Cooking can work up an appetite, so we’ll also treat you to a tasting of Prosciutto from Parma, Mortadella, Parmigiano, and local wines from the region.
This private experience is designed just for Withlocals guests, ensuring an intimate and personalized atmosphere. Giuseppe will guide you through every step of the process—from kneading the dough to crafting perfect pasta shapes. All necessary materials, tools, and ingredients are provided, so you can focus on enjoying the fun of cooking. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, you’ll leave with new skills, delicious homemade pasta, and a memorable experience. Let’s make pasta the Italian way!
This tour is also available in a shorter 3-hour version, where you'll make fewer dishes but will still become a pasta expert by the end! This tour is also available in a shorter 3-hour version, where you'll make fewer dishes but still become a pasta expert! Please request a personalized offer if you'd prefer this shorter option.
This is the plan
Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Giuseppe.
Meeting point
Meet at approximately Mercato delle Erbe to start your culinary journey.
Example menu
This is what our dinner could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.
Anti pasti
Try our delightful delicacies, including Prosciutto from Parma, Mortadella, Parmigiano, and local wines from the region
Let's make some pasta!
We will make traditional Italian dishes such as Tortellini, Tagliatelle, Tigelle, and Ragu Bolognese
Mangiare!
Time to indulge in the delicious dishes you've crafted with your own hands!
Course
At the end of the test you will taste the pasta produced by yourselves and you will have proof of what you can do for yourself and your family or friends when you return home.
Make it yours
Want to tweak the menu? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.
Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.
Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.
I can personalize this tour for you
I can personalize this tour for you
Tell me your preferred date and group size
Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!
Flexible cancellation policy
Feel confident booking
Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.
Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Arlan🇺🇸 United States
20 April 2025
Giuseppe was delightful. A wealth of historical knowledge and daily life. His pace and energy matched ours and he took his time to make sure all of our questions and thoughts were answered. Food was plentiful and so was the wine. All locally sourced.
Gertraud🇹🇭 Thailand
19 April 2025
We had an amazing food tour in Bologna with Giuseppe! Our group was pretty big, all the way from Thailand, and he really took great care of us and even brought his friend Marco to assist. They were super friendly and patient, answering all our questions with a smile.
Our first stop was the vibrant fruit market, where we got to taste some of the best local foods paired perfectly with wine — such a delicious start! Next, we headed to a cozy local canteen to try sparkling red wine with Parma ham. This was a totally new experience for us, and honestly, it’s a spot we never would have found on our own. The drinks were fantastic, and chatting with Marco made it even better.
The grand finale was the gelato shop — and wow, this was the best gelato we’ve ever had in Italy! It’s a hidden gem we wouldn’t have discovered by ourselves. Plus, Giuseppe was wonderful with the kids in our group, always making sure they stayed safe and didn’t wander off.
All in all, Giuseppe and Marco were delightful hosts who made the tour unforgettable. We’re so grateful for their care, knowledge, and great company. Highly recommend this tour if you want an authentic, fun, and tasty Bologna experience!
Amazing food tour...beyond expectation!
Jim🇺🇸 United States
16 April 2025
Guiseppe was an excellent guide for our tour. He knew many of the vendors at the market and was able to provide a great local take on the food, the atmosphere, and the history. My wife loved the rice cake he sent me home with. Can’t reccommend this tour and Guiseppe in particular, enough. If you’re in Bologna, see it with Guiseppe!Wonderful food tour of Bologna
andrew
15 April 2025
Amazing food, great food and local history. Guiseppe is such a lovely man, so passionate and so knowledgable. A real treat, thank you Guiseppe, GraziPerfect!
Larrena
5 April 2025
This is one of the best food tours we've ever been on, and we've been on A LOT! Giuseppe was amazing! From the appetizers to the fresh meats and cheeses, Pollo e Patate, and finished with some delicious gelato... GREAT!! This is the only food tour where we've walked away with a bag full of food! Perfect experience! Bologna Food Tour
Justin
2 April 2025
Colette🇮🇪 Ireland
26 March 2025
We really enjoyed our tour with Giuseppe. I can't think of a better way to learn about the food of a fabulous city and region than with an expert local pasta maker. We are so happy to recommend Giuseppe as your guide to the best of Bologna.
Melanie🇺🇸 United States
15 March 2025
I was very excited for this tour, I texted with Giuseppe and he was very receptive to my requests . He also made sure we hit the unique spots in Bologna only locals know. He really knows the city and made the tour feel like a friend was showing us around. He has my highest recommendation! A Perfect 10!
Joan
24 February 2025
Not only did Giuseppe introduce us to the special foods and places in Bologna, but by the time we separated, it felt like we were saying goodbye to an old friend.
We won’t share where Giuseppe took us (you’ll need to do a tour with him😉), but we had an assortment of food experiences we would not find anywhere else, including gelato that will likely be the last we’ll ever have because there’s no point in going back to the gelato we are used to elsewhere, and a stop in a place that is so unique we’ve not seen anything like it anywhere in the world.
In addition to the food, Giuseppe shared local history and a passion for Bologna. It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
(When you meet Giuseppe, you will understand why his photo shows him holding a huge sheet of pasta).
Fantastic afternoon with Giuseppe.
r648x5qgk7
17 February 2025
Our food tour with Giuseppe was wonderful. He was engaging, shared his passion for Bologna, the food, and culture. We tried so many delicious tastes, including my favorite the regional pesto sandwich.
molto delicato
Grazie Mille Giuseppe!Eccellente
Alice
15 February 2025
My husband and I had a great time with Giuseppe. He was really knowledgeable, told us loads about the food and drink we were trying and took us to some interesting places. The food and drink was amazing! We would highly recommend Giuseppe! A great tour!
Katharine Neubauer🇺🇸 United States
21 November 2024
Spending the morning with Giuseppe in Bologna was a huge treat! He chose to introduce us to the finest purveyors of all yummy things Bologna. He is charming and knowledgeable, and was so enjoyable to spend time with. We highly recommend you choose him as your local to explore this incredible city with its rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Totally worth the price!A perfect morning in Bologna!
Paula
30 October 2024
I like that Giuseppe took us to the mercado delle erbe. It is away from the main tourist areas. There he connected us with authentic fresh pasta makers where we enjoyed fresh tortellini in broth and fresh tortelloni with butter and parmesan right there. He explained that there are fewer fresh handmade pasta shops and this was one of the best. We also visited an olive & grocery vendor, and a cheese & prosciutto shop where he purchased samples of foods we would consume later. Giuseppe used to run a pasta making business so he was very knowledgeable about this. He was very friendly and personally knew the vendors here. We witnessed Giuseppe helping out the roast chicken proprietor remove a rack of hot chicken from the rotisserie because her husband couldn't work that day. Giuseppe was truly knowledgeable and genuine.Authentic Bologna Experience
Terrie🇮🇹 Italy
29 October 2024
Our tour with Giuseppe was exactly what we wanted in a food tour, a tour With Locals. Giuseppe shared his favorite foods, stories and himself. He was thoughtful and considerate, even cleaning the table before we had our first taste. Grazie Giuseppe!Passionate about Bologna
Jay🇺🇸 United States
24 October 2024
When I first contacted Giuseppe I explained that my wife had mobility limitations and we would would like to do a foodie tour but without much walking. He assured me this was possible, and I decided to give him a try. This was a fantastic decision!
We booked Giuseppe several months before our vacation. A week before we left he sent a quick confirming email which was a nice point of reassurance. He had arranged for a private driver to meet us at the train station since we could not walk from the station to the customary tour meeting point. A day before the booking he emailed to confirm our train reservations. To my surprise, Giuseppe met us on the train platform! He took us to the private car, gave directions to the driver, and then followed us on his scooter.
We went to the open market in the historic center, where he took us to various booths to sample a variety of local olives and giardiniera, watched proprietors make and cook for us several kinds of filled fresh pastas, discussed the wide variety of cheeses and hams available at a historic shop, choosing several to compare, and paired everything with his recommended local wine. He then cleaned a sampling table for us and we enjoyed everything while he further discussed the selections and answered any questions we had. He accomplished this within a circumference of about 25 yards!
We then cut through the courtyard of the world's oldest university (started in 1088) as the quickest route to the city's main piazza. He offered an historical discussion that lasted just long enough to get us to a bar across the piazza for caffé and local dolci.
When the tour was complete Giuseppe took us, at our request, to a nearby shop where we could buy Modena balsamic vinegar. He waited until we finished that shopping, and then led us a half-block to a major intersection where we waited while he called a cab for us to get us back to the train station. Giuseppe provided a highly creative approach and was attentive to our special needs beyond anything we could have imagined.Creatively attentive to our special needs
Daniel
18 October 2024
A very informative cultural and taste experience. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and depth of the information provided by Giuseppe and the food & beverage tastings were unique and well varied.a great & unique experience
Jeff🇺🇸 United States
7 October 2024
Giuseppe was a great host and guide - our small group (me, wife and mother in law) learned a lot about Bologna’s unique foods and also saw some of the city and landmarks. Giuseppe is clearly passionate about his home town - would recommend him if you’re looking for more personalized tour than the larger tour groups we saw. Great lesson in Bologna food and culture
Cynthia🇺🇸 United States
2 October 2024
Giuseppe gave us the best food tour! He took us to places locals visit and that he liked. All were so delicious! He gave us some history lessons as we were walking and answered all our questions. He was so nice and I would definitely recommend this tour!Great experience!
Laura🇦🇺 Australia
20 September 2024
My daughter and I loved our 3 hour tour with Guiseppe. We tasted wonderful food and learned so much. So good to spend time with a local and have the ability to ask so many questions. It was a wet day in Bologna and this was the perfect way to enjoy it. A must do tour in Bologna
Corinna
16 September 2024
Our group had a great tour where we were able to try delicious food and get a lot more information about it. We also learned a lot about the preparation and regional aspects. We had a lot of fun and a great time together. We recommend booking a tour with Giuseppe! You will not regret it.
Heather🇺🇸 United States
31 August 2024
We spent a wonderful afternoon with Giuseppe! He shared his love of both the local food and insights into Bologna’s past. When we mentioned something we like to eat or have interest in, he said let me get you something else to try! All the vendors love him, describing him as their best and favorite customer. The fresh filled pasta, lasagne and carmelized onions, the mortadella and the ending gelato were all part of our memorable afternoon We felt very full and had a very special day!! Wonderful food tour with a lovely guide!
Helen🇬🇧 United Kingdom
31 August 2024
Giuseppe is a very knowledgeable food expert who was a delight to be with. We learnt lots about the wonderful food in Bologna and tried some delicious wines. Excellent food tour
Jacklynn & Andrew🇺🇸 United States
7 August 2024
Arrive hungry! Giuseppe gave us an amazing gastronomic experience sampling the best Bologna has to offer. We loved all of the food and Giuseppe’s explanation of the history of food in the region and his recommendations for sampling at each of the stops. Our favorite was the gelato which has been awarded one of the best in all of Italy. Highly recommend booking a tour with Giuseppe! You will not regret it.Amazing Bologna Food Tour!
Nial🇺🇸 United States
2 August 2024
Giuseppe was a fantastic guide, we experienced some wonderful food, wine, ice cream, learned the secrets to a Bologna Lasagne, learned a lot about the history of the area, the history of the city. We had lots of questions and Giuseppe had all the answers, we all had a wonderful time and definitely recommend spending some time with Giuseppe’sGreat Food, Great Time, Learned alot
Joe🇺🇸 United States
30 July 2024
The tour was low stress and very interesting. We did not feel rushed as we moved across town. Giuseppe did a wonderful job explaining the various types of food, how they are made and why they are local to Bologna. Low key tour!
Karin🇦🇹 Austria
17 July 2024
Unsere 3-stündige Food-Tour mit Giuseppe war perfekt! Super Essen, sehr nette Erklärungen dazu, außerdem Infos zur Stadt und zu den Leuten. Wir hatten 2 Kinder dabei, für die hat Giuseppe immer extra Sprite besorgt :-) und ist auf alle Wünsche eingegangen. Wir haben uns wirklich sehr wohl gefühlt! Mille grazie! Perfekt!
Emily
9 July 2024
Giuseppe was a joy to spend time with and has a wealth of knowledge about Bologna and food. Everything we ate was delicious, and he took us places we would have not known about or been too intimidated to go to on our own. He couldn’t be kinder and led the tour at our pace. It was a great way to see Bologna while also trying all of the traditional foods from the area. Foodie heaven! Grazie mille per tutto, Giuseppe. Lovely
Rachel🇺🇸 United States
22 June 2024
Giuseppe was an amazing good guide while we visited Bologna. He took us to places we likely wouldn't have found on our own and picked out incredible bites and wine for us along the way. This tour was focused on food which is exactly what we were hoping for. Definitely recommend doing this on your first full day so you can revisit any of the places he takes you to. And make sure to arrive hungry!
Grazie mille, Giuseppe!Amazing bites!!
Marvin🇵🇭 Philippines
21 June 2024
We had a very short stopover in Bologna and Guiseppe was able to customize it perfectly to still give us delicious food options and share interesting stories about Bologna and himself.Cool glimpse of Bologna
Angela🇺🇸 United States
16 June 2024
Guiseppe was phenomenal! We squeezed in the tour to Bologna on our way to Venice from Ravenna ( after a cruise). Guiseppe was communicative, checking in a couple of days before to see when we would be arriving. We were going to be early and Guiseppe switched things around to accommodate our schedule. What an amazing experience! We ate so much and could not eat everything, but Giuseppe insisted we take the leftovers which turned out to be a welcome treat when we got to Venice.
Thank you for a wonderful experience.Fantastic tour!
halliepasch
1 June 2024
Giuseppe was thoughtful & a very knowledgeable host on our food tour. We enjoyed learning about the local food and traditions of Bologna as well as food & drink customs in other regions. He was friendly & made you feel very welcome. Great idea to do on the first day, as it introduced us to Bologna, the typical food, walking around the Piazza Maggiore, and areas it helped introduce Bologna to us. Mom, 18 yr son & 23 yr daughter. They loved it!! Food & Fun with Giuseppe
T🇺🇸 United States
26 May 2024
Giuseppe met us at the exact time and place as planned. He has a great knowledge of both the area and the people in the town. He was patient with our questions and especially careful to make arrangements for our daughter, who is vegetarian. We all enjoyed our visit in the market and our walk through the beautiful streets and porticos of Bologna. We especially enjoyed the watching the pasta maker, a former student of his. Our treats included, tortellini, olives, artichokes, sausage, wine, gelato, and a delicious rice cake. We walked along, learned about the towers, and went to a different area of town and purchased some local wine, cheese, and cold cuts and enjoyed this in an open-air courtyard. What fun to see and hear the locals and have Giuseppe answer even more of our questions. We enjoyed our time, our tour, and of course, the delicious food from this great city.Yummy time in Bologna!
Daniela🇨🇭 Switzerland
19 May 2024
Wir haben die Tour mit Giuseppe sehr genossen. Sie war sehr vielseitig, wir konnten viele verschiedene Köstlichkeiten degustieren und Giuseppe erklärte uns nebst den Gaumenköstlichkeiten viel über la cultura. Sehr empfehlenswert!
Grazie mille Giuseppe! Fantastico
Spencer🇺🇸 United States
18 May 2024
Giuseppe made our tour a wonderful experience and I would recommend him to anyone in a heartbeat. He is very friendly, funny, and knowledgeable. Besides the great food choices he also showed us some great historical spots along the way and even had recommendations for places we could go to later if we wanted more time to explore the city. Book with Giuseppe for the best time
Christine
17 May 2024
We really enjoyed our outing with Giuseppe. His knowledge of food, culture and history was outstanding. He introduced us to a varied and delicious selection of foods.
He excelled at incorporating vegetarian options into our selections. He filled a wet and soggy day with sunshine!Guiseppe was the best!
Cheryl🇨🇦 Canada
15 May 2024
Our tour with GIUSEPPE was very good, lots of good food and wine, almost too much food. Food tours are the best way to sample traditional food while travelling and get the good stuff!Bologna food tour
Evon🇲🇾 Malaysia
14 May 2024
Although Giuseppe was a food guide, he was also very well-versed in the history of Bologna and told us fascinating stories about the major landmarks like the towers of Bologna, Piazza Nettune, and Piazza Maggiore. We sampled the best mortadella we ever had and loved the tortellini in brodo made with tortellini that was made right before our eyes. The 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano was to die for. We were only in Bologna for a few hours but we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Bravo, Giuseppe!Friendly and knowledgeable guide
Ian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
1 May 2024
We met in the market where Giuseppe made us feel very welcome, not in a hurry and very keen to adjust to our personal preferences. He ordered food and wine from the local vendors with a comprehensive explanation . We parted full of delicious food and a glimpse of the real Bologna, We found Giuseppe a warm and knowledgeable host ,we would highly recommend.Stuffed
michelle.raiti🇺🇸 United States
26 April 2024
We highly recommend Giuseppe's food tour in Bologna. What a treat to benefit from Giuseppes experience in the culinary world of Bologna. His knowledge of the city and its food was so interesting and the food tastings were fantastic! He also happens to be a wonderfully sweet man. Come very hungry as you will leave very full!!Perfect way to experience Bologna
עומר🇮🇱 Israel
25 April 2024
Giuseppe was a wonderful host and a pleasure to meet!
He had a tough job ahead of him, we were a multi-aged group, it was very cold and a bit rainy, but nonetheless we had a great time thanks to Giuseppe and his expertise.
The food was incredible, the places were quaint and unique and full of charm.
Thank you Giuseppe for a wonderful afternoon!
David🇺🇸 United States
15 April 2024
We had the good fortune to meet Giuseppe in Bologna for a food centric tour. He is personable, very knowledgeable and quite connected to numerous food purveyors in the city. We concentrated the tour in the old central part starting at one of the markets and moving to several food establishments frequented by locals. He introduced us to the iconic foods of Bologna and the friendly proprietors. Giuseppe is a real "foodie" who loves the local cuisine and is eager to share his knowledge.
We highly recommend Giuseppe to food-lovers !
David and Barbara 10
Unknown
1 April 2024
Giuseppe was an excellent host as he showcased his city. We had lovely conversation, learned and tasted many local dishes. I was very happy with this private experience. Very Enjoyable!
Erik🇺🇸 United States
31 March 2024
We really enjoyed hanging out with Giuseppe in Bologna. He was such a kind man who was extremely welcoming and eager to show us a nice time. We highly recommend. We did a private tour with just my wife and I. It was more expensive that other advertised group tours, but the private experience was really nice and worth the extra cost. We booked the night before and Giuseppe accepted -- that responsiveness was also really appreciated. Be sure to show up to the tour hungry because it's a lot of food! Great day
JOHN🇺🇸 United States
16 March 2024
Both Giuseppe and the food fit the title. Giuseppe was kind, personable and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the food culture and history of Bologna and even some interesting history of the city. He made us feel at home, and we shared our family stories together. He showed us a market and osteria that were definitely local spots. Giuseppe chose local vendors that were not where most tourists stop as well. He even helped to pair wine styles we liked with the local food. Last stop before gelato was sharing his favorite spot for a caffe while downtown. Giuseppe went the extra mile and gave us last minute ideas for our dinner reservations. He generous personality/nature set the tone for the whole experience.Bologna’s finest
Eddy🇬🇧 United Kingdom
19 February 2024
We enjoyed a fantastic tour with Giuseppe, sampling a wide range of Bolognase and Italian delicacies including antipasti, cured meats, smoked onions and potatoes, ragu, tortellini, cakes and gelato, washed down with wine and coffee. Throughout the tour Giuseppe was fantastic company and we loved hearing about changes in Italian society over the last few decades and the impact they are having on its signature foods and wines. Would highly recommend!A fantastuc afternoon with Giuseppe!
yifat🇬🇧 United Kingdom
23 January 2024
We had an excellent time with Giuseppe. He was full of knowledge very kind and accommodating. He was generous with his time and samples.
Would highly recommend Lovely personal and informative
Catherine🇺🇸 United States
11 January 2024
Giuseppe was a wonderful guide! Everything he chose was delicious. He was able to give us some history and fun facts about Bologna and the food along the way. Wonderful! Fantastic!
Candice🇦🇺 Australia
6 January 2024
Giuseppe was incredibly knowledgeable about all things food and wine. We (a group of 3) went to superb markets and restaurants and were able to choose and try all manner of delicacies - with loads of historical stories and food facts thrown in. Giusseppe was great company and a perfect introduction to the Bologna food scene. I would highly recommend exploring Bologna with him! knowledgeable and passionate guide
Marty🇺🇸 United States
4 January 2024
In November 2023, we took the 10 Tastes of Bologna tour with Giuseppe. The tour was amazing, and Giuseppe was a pure joy to have as a guide. The tour was a combination of delicious food samplings, a bit of history, and a bit of sightseeing. Giuseppe always had something interesting to show or say, and was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. He knew the best places to sample local flavors. We would tour different vendors and shops, and he would seamlessly have food for us to sample with nearly no waiting. And he speaks English very well. My wife and I highly recommend this tour with Giuseppe! You won't be disappointed!10 Tastes of Bologna tour, with Giuseppe
Jeff🇺🇸 United States
4 January 2024
This private tour was perfect. Giuseppe was very knowledgeable about food and even history of Bologna. We had several stops for authentic bologna tastings. Delicious!!!True Bologna experience
Withlocals experiences
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Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.
More about me
Hi, I'm Pino, grandpa Pino, for many years I have produced fresh pasta, handmade pasta, I did it because I love Bologna and its typical and unique cuisine and I have supplied it to the best restaurants in this city. I know Bologna very well and even more the cuisine of these parts. One of my passions is telling the story of my city and showing it together with the wonderful food that is here, because Bologna and the cuisine are one and the same. Another passion is rugby, which has allowed me to meet and appreciate many champions from many countries of the world with whom I have played unforgettable matches and drank, afterwards, a lot of beer together. See you in Bologna and you will see that I will tell you stories of other times while I will make you taste things that you will never forget