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Host: Margherita

Bologna, Italy

USD
$58-$114 per person

Bolognese cooking with locals in the historical center of Bologna

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Margherita

Margherita grew up in Bologna and learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. She loves learning about the history of cuisine in general and Italian cuisine in particular. As a Bolognese, she has a passion for local ingredients, food, cooking and sharing stories of the origin of various dishes she serves. Margherita would also love for travelers to try the real ‘spaghetti alla Bolognese’! Join her on this journey into Italian history and traditions while you share a traditional Bolognese meal. Margherita is excited to meet people who are curious about Italian culinary traditions and exchange stories and culture with them. It is also a great way for her to practice speaking in English!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-8 guests) Margherita, a Bolognese, lives with her husband, Filippo, and my their son, Ferraù, in a beautiful home that has belonged to her family for a long time. She lives in the historical center of Bologna, and is excited to share her love for the history of the city and its culinary traditions. You can expect to try recipes from her city - dishes that are typically eaten in people’s homes in Bologna and also from her family recipe book – which has been passed down through generations. Through this experience you will learn about the history, cuisine and culture of Bologna. A few dishes that you might try are frittata di cipolle (eggs and onions), spaghetti alla Bolognese (Spaghetti served with a rich and flavorful meat sauce), Pollo alla cacciatora (chicken stew) and tiramisu. On the days Filippo is available, end your meal with some traditional music, as he would love to play the cello for you!

Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) In your 2 hour hands-on Bolognese cooking class learn to make pasta from scratch. Margherita will take you through the step-by-step process of making the dough, shaping it, cooking it and also preparing the sauce to go with it. You can choose one from these different pasta options - tortellini burro e salvia or strichetti al sugo di tonno or pasta e fagioli or spaghetti alla Bolognese. After cooking, sit down to share the dish you helped prepare along with a few dishes that were pre prepared.

Market visit: (1-8 guests) Meet Margherita in Piazza Giuseppe Verdi and walk to the ancient market of Quadrilatero, a mecca for foodies and historic architecture buffs. The 'Quadrilateral' is a bustling area in Bologna’s city center with craft and trading traditions dating back to the middle ages. Here you will find stalls selling everything from fresh fish to local fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, regional wines, homemade tortellini pasta and fresh Italian breads. A walk down the narrow streets lined with shops, vendors, and places to eat while Margherita introduces you to the local produce and how it is used in traditional Italian cooking. Enjoy a cup of coffee before you walk back to Margherita's apartment to cook with the ingredients you bought at the market (if you've selected the cooking class option).

Notes: Margherita's apartment is on the 1st floor and there is no elevator, so you need to walk up 39 steps. She can accommodate a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diet, on request. Perfect Bolognese cooking class for beginners, families and food lovers.

Languages spoken: English, German

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Antipasto: Frittata di cipolle or Spuma di mortadella or Bruschetta
  • Primo: Tortellini burro e salvia or Strichetti al sugo di tonno or Pasta e fagioli or Spaghetti alla Bolognese
  • Secondo: Pollo alla cacciatora or polpette ai piselli
  • Dolce: Tiramisu

Traveler reviews

5.0 (7)
Fun experience! We really enjoyed our time with Margherita! We started the morning off with a coffee and treat overlooking the towers then browsed the market for our cooking ingredients. Back at her apartment Margherita tailored the meal for us vegetarians and it was a casual and informative cooking experience. The food was delicious and we highly recommend.
- fionarY October 14, 2024
Incredible evening of cooking, food and history! The whole experience was amazing. Margherita was friendly, knowledgeable and a great cook! We did the market tour option and explored the historic market a short walk away. We were blown away with the produce and tried some local fruits, wine and ice cream while learning about local produce and history. The cooking itself was incredible, we assisted to make a delicious three course meal. Everything was provided which made for a great experience, including some local cheese and olives to nibble on. The food all tasted fantastic, and we had such a great time. I can't recommend Margherita highly enough, if you are considering a cooking class choose this one for a fantastic, authentic, experience.
- 261dylan October 13, 2024
Who knew I Could Make Pasta From Scratch We had a lovely evening with Margherita who welcomed us into her home. What a beautiful and historic view out the windows! We could hear music from the university students and the ringing of the church bells. Margherita was an excellent instructor and made the cooking so fun and easy! I was able to write down the recipe so I can make when I return home. We made Tortelloni from beginning to end and it was delicious. The Frittata can easily be made at home and who knew I could make Tiramisu that was more delicious than what I ate in the restaurant!! We enjoyed learning more about Bologna and also about different foods from this region. Margherita was so hospitable and this evening will forever be a cherished memory from our trip to Italy!!
- LisaL56 October 10, 2024
Memories you will not forget! Margherita was so hospitable, kind and such a joy. We each shared family stories and were enriched with the time we spent with her. She made the cooking so much fun and even I could do it. The food was delicious and the wine was perfect. Brought back memories of sweet special times with family. If you are looking for an evening to create memories you will not forget, do not miss this!.
- RickL2141 October 10, 2024
Wonderful evening and cooking class What a great cooking class and wonderful evening together with Margherita and her family. We made delicious food, fritta, pasta and tiramisu, and I will certainly remake it all at home. I loved beeing a part of the family for the evening.
- jesperst September 17, 2024
Great Night with Margherita, highly recommend! We had the loveliest afternoon and evening with Margherita! She completely customized our time and figured out quickly what we were interested in. She was patient and a great guide around the city center as we completed some last minute shopping before heading back to the US. She showed us some great little shops, invited us to her favorite Gelateria, and even took us for a glass of wine at the oldest continually operating osteria. Once back at her apartment we had a great time learning from her, got lots of practical cooking tips, and now we feel confident in pasta making! Each course she showed us how to make was accessible and we will absolutely replicate each dish back at home. I can’t recommend Margherita highly enough, what a charming and warm host for our last night in Italy!
- sydney September 16, 2024
Wonderful experience. Margherita was a fantastic host, explaining all the history of Bologna, taking us to a wonderful food market and showing us how to cook amazing Italian food. We would 100% recommend this wonderful experience with such a warm and welcoming lady. Thanks once again Margherita.
- rebecca_f September 05, 2024
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Margherita

$58-$114 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$82 $68 $66
Cooking Experience + Meal
$98 $84 $82
Market Tour
$80 $64 $58
Market Tour + Meal
$98 $80 $80
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$114 $100 $98
Alcohol
$12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$82 $68 $66
Cooking Experience + Meal
$98 $84 $82
Market Tour
$80 $64 $58
Market Tour + Meal
$98 $80 $80
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$114 $100 $98
Alcohol
$12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
9:30am-12:30pm 4:30pm-7:30pm
Market Tour
10:00am-12:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Meal
10:00am-12:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Margherita

Margherita grew up in Bologna and learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. She loves learning about the history of cuisine in general and Italian cuisine in particular. As a Bolognese, she has a passion for local ingredients, food, cooking and sharing stories of the origin of various dishes she serves. Margherita would also love for travelers to try the real ‘spaghetti alla Bolognese’! Join her on this journey into Italian history and traditions while you share a traditional Bolognese meal. Margherita is excited to meet people who are curious about Italian culinary traditions and exchange stories and culture with them. It is also a great way for her to practice speaking in English!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-8 guests) Margherita, a Bolognese, lives with her husband, Filippo, and my their son, Ferraù, in a beautiful home that has belonged to her family for a long time. She lives in the historical center of Bologna, and is excited to share her love for the history of the city and its culinary traditions. You can expect to try recipes from her city - dishes that are typically eaten in people’s homes in Bologna and also from her family recipe book – which has been passed down through generations. Through this experience you will learn about the history, cuisine and culture of Bologna. A few dishes that you might try are frittata di cipolle (eggs and onions), spaghetti alla Bolognese (Spaghetti served with a rich and flavorful meat sauce), Pollo alla cacciatora (chicken stew) and tiramisu. On the days Filippo is available, end your meal with some traditional music, as he would love to play the cello for you!

Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) In your 2 hour hands-on Bolognese cooking class learn to make pasta from scratch. Margherita will take you through the step-by-step process of making the dough, shaping it, cooking it and also preparing the sauce to go with it. You can choose one from these different pasta options - tortellini burro e salvia or strichetti al sugo di tonno or pasta e fagioli or spaghetti alla Bolognese. After cooking, sit down to share the dish you helped prepare along with a few dishes that were pre prepared.

Market visit: (1-8 guests) Meet Margherita in Piazza Giuseppe Verdi and walk to the ancient market of Quadrilatero, a mecca for foodies and historic architecture buffs. The 'Quadrilateral' is a bustling area in Bologna’s city center with craft and trading traditions dating back to the middle ages. Here you will find stalls selling everything from fresh fish to local fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, regional wines, homemade tortellini pasta and fresh Italian breads. A walk down the narrow streets lined with shops, vendors, and places to eat while Margherita introduces you to the local produce and how it is used in traditional Italian cooking. Enjoy a cup of coffee before you walk back to Margherita's apartment to cook with the ingredients you bought at the market (if you've selected the cooking class option).

Notes: Margherita's apartment is on the 1st floor and there is no elevator, so you need to walk up 39 steps. She can accommodate a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diet, on request. Perfect Bolognese cooking class for beginners, families and food lovers.

Languages spoken: English, German

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Antipasto: Frittata di cipolle or Spuma di mortadella or Bruschetta
  • Primo: Tortellini burro e salvia or Strichetti al sugo di tonno or Pasta e fagioli or Spaghetti alla Bolognese
  • Secondo: Pollo alla cacciatora or polpette ai piselli
  • Dolce: Tiramisu

Traveler reviews

5.0 (7)
Fun experience! We really enjoyed our time with Margherita! We started the morning off with a coffee and treat overlooking the towers then browsed the market for our cooking ingredients. Back at her apartment Margherita tailored the meal for us vegetarians and it was a casual and informative cooking experience. The food was delicious and we highly recommend.
- fionarY October 14, 2024
Incredible evening of cooking, food and history! The whole experience was amazing. Margherita was friendly, knowledgeable and a great cook! We did the market tour option and explored the historic market a short walk away. We were blown away with the produce and tried some local fruits, wine and ice cream while learning about local produce and history. The cooking itself was incredible, we assisted to make a delicious three course meal. Everything was provided which made for a great experience, including some local cheese and olives to nibble on. The food all tasted fantastic, and we had such a great time. I can't recommend Margherita highly enough, if you are considering a cooking class choose this one for a fantastic, authentic, experience.
- 261dylan October 13, 2024
Who knew I Could Make Pasta From Scratch We had a lovely evening with Margherita who welcomed us into her home. What a beautiful and historic view out the windows! We could hear music from the university students and the ringing of the church bells. Margherita was an excellent instructor and made the cooking so fun and easy! I was able to write down the recipe so I can make when I return home. We made Tortelloni from beginning to end and it was delicious. The Frittata can easily be made at home and who knew I could make Tiramisu that was more delicious than what I ate in the restaurant!! We enjoyed learning more about Bologna and also about different foods from this region. Margherita was so hospitable and this evening will forever be a cherished memory from our trip to Italy!!
- LisaL56 October 10, 2024
Memories you will not forget! Margherita was so hospitable, kind and such a joy. We each shared family stories and were enriched with the time we spent with her. She made the cooking so much fun and even I could do it. The food was delicious and the wine was perfect. Brought back memories of sweet special times with family. If you are looking for an evening to create memories you will not forget, do not miss this!.
- RickL2141 October 10, 2024
Wonderful evening and cooking class What a great cooking class and wonderful evening together with Margherita and her family. We made delicious food, fritta, pasta and tiramisu, and I will certainly remake it all at home. I loved beeing a part of the family for the evening.
- jesperst September 17, 2024
Great Night with Margherita, highly recommend! We had the loveliest afternoon and evening with Margherita! She completely customized our time and figured out quickly what we were interested in. She was patient and a great guide around the city center as we completed some last minute shopping before heading back to the US. She showed us some great little shops, invited us to her favorite Gelateria, and even took us for a glass of wine at the oldest continually operating osteria. Once back at her apartment we had a great time learning from her, got lots of practical cooking tips, and now we feel confident in pasta making! Each course she showed us how to make was accessible and we will absolutely replicate each dish back at home. I can’t recommend Margherita highly enough, what a charming and warm host for our last night in Italy!
- sydney September 16, 2024
Wonderful experience. Margherita was a fantastic host, explaining all the history of Bologna, taking us to a wonderful food market and showing us how to cook amazing Italian food. We would 100% recommend this wonderful experience with such a warm and welcoming lady. Thanks once again Margherita.
- rebecca_f September 05, 2024
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$82 $68 $66
Cooking Experience + Meal
$98 $84 $82
Market Tour
$80 $64 $58
Market Tour + Meal
$98 $80 $80
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$114 $100 $98
Alcohol
$12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$82 $68 $66
Cooking Experience + Meal
$98 $84 $82
Market Tour
$80 $64 $58
Market Tour + Meal
$98 $80 $80
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$114 $100 $98
Alcohol
$12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
9:30am-12:30pm 4:30pm-7:30pm
Market Tour
10:00am-12:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Meal
10:00am-12:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

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    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

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    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

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    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

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