Meet
Paola
Paola is a lawyer by profession, but her true passion is in cooking and meeting people from around the world. Since 2017, she has been warmly welcoming guests into her charming 1920s villa in Bologna, sharing authentic Italian cuisine and heartfelt hospitality. Paola learned to cook from her grandmother, an exceptional home chef who passed down cherished family recipes from both Mantova, where she was born, and Bologna, where she now lives. Today, Paola lovingly recreates these traditional dishes, keeping the flavors of her family recipes alive. In addition to regional Italian classics, Paola enjoys experimenting with recipes from across Italy and beyond, offering a delicious variety of dishes in her cooking classes and home-cooked meals. This in-home dining experience is set just five minutes from Bologna’s city walls, and is the perfect place to experience real Italian hospitality and cuisine.
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.
Cooking experience:
(2-10 guests)
Join Paola in her charming 1920s villa, just a 20-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, for an authentic Bologna cooking class in an Italian home. In this 2-hour hands-on cooking experience, you’ll learn to prepare traditional Italian dishes that have been passed down through generations. In Paola’s home kitchen, learn to cook fresh pasta from scratch, choose from Bolognese lasagna, tortelloni, tortellini, tagliatelle, or garganelli. Then, learn to make a classic tiramisu or cannelloni using a rare family recipe not typically found in restaurants. After cooking, enjoy the meal you helped prepare. In the summer months, it will be served in Paola’s lovely outdoor dining area in the garden. After the experience, Paola will send you all the recipes so you can recreate the flavors of Bologna in your own home.
Market visit:
(2-10 guests)
Meet Paola at a restaurant near Piazza Re Enzo and begin your guided tour through two of Bologna's most beloved markets: Mercato di Mezzo, located in the heart of the historic center, where you’ll browse fresh produce, regional cheeses, cured meats, and artisanal products; and Mercato delle Erbe, a lively indoor market frequented by locals for its colorful fruit stands, handmade pastas, and gourmet specialties. After exploring the markets, walk to Paola’s home just outside the city walls, for your cooking experience and meal.
This Bologna market tour and cooking class is perfect for travelers who want to explore Bologna like a local, connect with Italian culture, and enjoy a home-cooked meal.
Notes:
1. 1-2 glasses of wine per person is included in the price of the experience.
2. Paola is happy to accommodate guests with dietary needs, including lactose intolerance, gluten-free diets, mild celiac disease, vegetarians, and vegans - please let her know in advance, when booking the experience online.
Languages spoken:
Italian, English and French
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
My husband and I really enjoyed our private cooking class with Paola! She is the best
instructor and took her time in making sure we understood every step. Her homemade ragu
was one of the best dishes we tried on our trip to Italy! Highly recommend booking with her!
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steph
March 17, 2026
My husband and I booked a cooking lesson with Paola during our March 2026 trip to Bologna. We were welcomed into Paola’s beautiful home for a fun and informative class on making homemade pasta with ragu, with tiramisu for dessert. Paola is an accomplished cook and was able to walk us through the steps to recreate recipes that have been handed down in her family. We really enjoyed the learning experience and we hope to make our own pasta and sauce on our return home. After cooking, we were served bruschetta, the pasta with sauce, and tiramisu along with wines and espresso, for a delicious lunch. It was really one of the best meals we had in Bologna. I would recommend this experience very highly.
Thank you Paolo!
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mariem
March 14, 2026
This was one of our highlights of our Italy trip so far. Paola was very professional, hospitable and very friendly. She catered for our gluten free needs very well, even using different chopping boards and rolling pins to avoid cross contamination. We had a delightful time and the food was delicious!
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stella
February 19, 2026
Meeting Paola and being able to learn a little about Italian cooking in her company gave us a very pleasant and delicious afternoon.
Truly, a wonderful experience.
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eve
January 19, 2026
We had a fantastic time with Paola! We visited the market, had a super fun cooking class, laughed a lot, learned to make tagliatelle al ragù and tiramisu, and were treated like royalty! We highly recommend it, go for it!
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bruno
January 03, 2026
Paola was knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed our tour of the local markets. All of the
ingredients used were fresh. The food we made was very tasty.
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gerald
January 02, 2026
Paola was fantastic and made our time in Bologna very special. She guided our family on a wonderful food tour, then helped us cook ragù and tiramisù in a fun, hands-on way. Her knowledge, warmth, and passion for local food made the experience both memorable and delicious - we couldn’t recommend her more.
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gaby
January 02, 2026
My family and I took a cooking class with Paola, and it was such a fun, memorable, and delicious experience. Before the class, Paola thoughtfully asked which dishes we wanted to prepare, and we chose tortelloni, tagliatelle, and tiramisu. She guided us through making everything from scratch—including fresh pasta, homemade sauce, and dessert—while creating such a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
The experience was made even more special with appetizers, wine, and wonderful conversation throughout the class. Paola’s English is phenomenal, making every step easy to follow, and she even sends you home with the recipes so you can recreate the magic yourself. The entire experience truly made us feel the authenticity and warmth of being in Bologna, Italy. I can’t recommend this class enough!
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sharon
December 31, 2025
We had the best experience cooking with Paola in her home! It exceeded our expectations in every way. Her home was beautiful, inviting, and so comfortable to cook in. Paola herself was warm, patient, and incredibly welcoming—she made us feel right at home from the moment we walked in.
She worked wonderfully with our kids, keeping them engaged and excited throughout the class. The recipes were delicious and easy to follow, and we’re already enjoying making them at home.
We highly recommend Paola’s class to anyone looking for a fun, memorable, and truly enjoyable cooking experience. We can’t wait to go back!
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Vanessa
December 03, 2025
October garden luncheon! Paola is a charming woman and very knowledgeable about all things Bologna, having lived there her whole life! She is a great teacher and speaks excellent English. We enjoyed our cooking lesson in her beautiful home and she taught us all kinds of tips to make pasta!
Our meal was delicious, with traditional appetizers, sparking wine and her homemade ragu on our freshly made pasta. It was a delightful al fresco lunch in her garden.
A very memorable experience! I highly recommend it.
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Ruth Anne Baron
October 17, 2025
Paola is a charming woman and very knowledgeable about all things Bologna, having lived there her whole life! She is a great teacher and speaks excellent English. We enjoyed our cooking lesson in her beautiful home and she taught us all kinds of tips to make pasta!
Our meal was delicious, with traditional appetizers, sparking wine and her homemade ragu on our freshly made pasta. It was a delightful al fresco lunch in her garden.
A very memorable experience! I highly recommend it.
Ruth Anne Baron,
Toronto
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Ruth Anne
October 16, 2025
Wonderful authentic garden meal! We had a wonderful time with Paola on the market tour and cooking class. She clearly loves sharing her passion for Bolognese cuisine, and her insights, tips and tricks were much appreciated! We enjoyed a delicious meal that we prepared together in her lovely garden! I am excited to make the recipes that she shared when I return home with the confidence that she gave us that authentic homeade bolognese pasta can be made flawlessly after her class. Bravo, Paola!
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889mar
October 16, 2025
We had a wonderful time with Paola on the market tour and cooking class. She clearly loves sharing her passion for Bolognese cuisine, and her insights, tips and tricks were much appreciated! We enjoyed a delicious meal that we prepared together in her lovely garden! I am excited to make the recipes that she shared when I return home with the confidence that she gave us that authentic homeade bolognese pasta can be made flawlessly after her class. Bravo, Paola!
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Mary
October 15, 2025
We had a wonderful time on the cooking class and market tour with Paola. She is warm and engaging, and full of helpful tips and tricks in making delicious pasta and desert. I would highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in Bolognese history and cooking!
Mary Ellen Rodgers
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Mary
October 15, 2025
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