Pastamama, Preserving The Intimacy Of Italian Domestic Cooking

What a wonderful experience! We joined Grazia for a pasta-making class in her lovely home, and it was truly one of the highlights of our family trip to Italy! Grazia made us feel so welcome, and we all had an amazing time learning from her knowledge and passion for Italian cooking. Thank you, Grazia, for your warmth, kindness, and hospitality. We’ll treasure these beautiful family memories for years to come! ❤️

What a special experience!! I learned so much about pasta in North Italy vs. South Italy, how to make different shapes, and I even shared a great meal with the people I met. Do this activity!! So so so worth it

We had a fun morning learning how to make different types of pasta. in the warmth of PastaMama's home. The apartment was easy to find. She is a patient and engaging teacher. We learned about the traditions in addition to learning how to shape the pasta. she prepared the appropriate sauces for each of the pastas. we then sat down to a delicious lunch of our pasta and wine and water in her lovely dining room.

Our PastaMama experience was one of the highlights of our time in Bologna. From the moment we stepped into Maria's apartment, we felt at home. Her hospitality was warm and genuine, and she made the whole group feel like welcome guests rather than tourists on a class. The hands-on pasta making was fantastic. We made two classics: tagliatelle with a rich, slow-cooked ragù, and tortelloni filled with cheese, served in an amazing butter and sage sauce with a secret ingredient that took it to another level. Everyone got to roll, cut, and shape the dough themselves, and Maria guided us patiently every step of the way. Her explanations were full of knowledge about the ingredients, the techniques, and the traditions behind Bolognese cooking, which made the experience about much more than just following a recipe. The best part came at the end, when we all sat down together to enjoy what we had made. Both dishes were delicious, and sharing the meal with the team made it even more special. If you want an authentic, personal taste of Bologna's food culture, we highly recommend cooking with Maria. Grazie mille!

This was our favorite of all experiences in Italy innour 2 week trip! Mary Grace was a fabulous host and made us feel really welcome in her home. Great teacher, great meal, and the wine was an added bonus! Grazie!

This experience was different than what I expected. It was a very small group, only 3 of us, which was very nice. The house was in a nice area. The hostess had a lot of knowledge about food, Bologna and different cooking and pasta styles in Italy, which was interesting. Overall, the class focused on making the pasta and the hostess made the other sauces and food to accompany the included meal. I thought we would be making an entire meal including the pasta and the sauce. Luckily, she provided us with the recipes at the end so that was helpful. The only thing that I wanted to mention is that the hostess mentioned to the other guests, on several occasions, that they could "help her not appear rude" to other guests. Initially, I assumed that she was referring to the fact that she did not feel like she spoke English well. However, there were a couple of occasions where she seemed impatient and annoyed that we didn't fold the tortellini correctly. She made comments about it not being ravioli and that people from Bologna don't make ravioli. She made it clear that people from different regions are very territorial about the foods they make. The only other complaint I had is that the hostess' bathroom smelled of cigarette smoke. This could be an issue for people with allergies to cigarette smoke or asthma. However, I did not smell it in the kitchen or living room. She may need to get an air purifier or something for the bathroom.

Thank you Grazia, aka Pasta Mama, for a wonderful pasta making experience! This was a semi private class (4 people) that took place in Grazia’s home. It was an intimate, informative hands on instruction suitable for novices and experienced cooks. The finished product, our meal of tagliatelle with ragu and cheese tortelloni with butter and sage was absolutely delicious! Wine and dessert was an added surprise. Best of all, Grazia sends us multiple “authentic Bolognese” recipes for us to try at home! Highly recommend this experience!

We had such a fun time learning to make the 2 different types of pasta and both turned out great. The portions were large. I do wish we had got to be part of making the sauces while she was in the kitchen rather than sitting in the living room to chat with the other guests. I have done another pasta making class in Como and did like that they served a smal appetizer and prosecco at the start of the class to enjoy before we started. She did serve a sparkling red which I have never tried before and it was quite good as well as a lemonchello.

We had a fabulous lesson in making pasta with Grazia in her lovely flat. It was an authentic experience which I recommend everyone should try if you want to learn how to make some really tasty pasta. There was a small group so it was a truly individual course.

This was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy! Grazia welcomed us into her home with incredible warmth and generosity.The class was hands on and fun, we learned traditional techniques for making fresh pasta from scratch while hearing fascinating stories about Bolognese food and culture. The lunch she prepared with the pasta we made was absolutely delicious. My picky daughters absolutely loved the vegetarian sauce she made with courgette for the tagliatelle and want to make it again at home. It was some of the most delicious pasta we've ever had, topped off with a lovely homemade dessert. Grazia's warmth, generosity, and passion for Italian cooking (and her lovely dog!) made this a truly memorable experience. Thank you so much Grazia! Highly recommended!

If you do one thing in Bologna (or Italy), do this!! I spent a month in Italy, and had the pleasure of doing many excursions. This one is at the top of my list. Pasta Mama takes such pride in her work, and shares that passion and talent with you as soon as you walk through her door. She’s an absolute gem. She coached my group, all pasta amateurs, into make some lovely fresh pasta. And we got to experience divine homemade ragu and a sage butter sauce, all served with wine and finished off with dessert. The experience was authentic, delicious, and not to be missed. Thank you, Pasta Mama!

This is an absolute MUST on your trip to Bologna. Grazia who is a Bologna native, and her sweet pup, Chedi, warmly welcomed us into her home for a super fun pasta making class. We learned so much and had a great time. It has been the best part of our trip! We made tagliatelle and tortellini and also played with making a few other shapes. The best part is getting to eat your pasta with her homemade bolognese sauce and butter/sage sauce. She also served us wine and a delicious light mascarpone desert. We left with our hearts and bellies full. If you’re interested in learning how to make traditional pasta, book with Grazia. You will not regret it. I cannot wait to make these recipes for my family back home.

We usually try to do cooking classes when we travel. None has been better than Pastamamma! Grazia gave us an unparalleled experience in Bologna. We booked a lunchtime class on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Grazia's place was easy to find and get to and her communications were excellent (as is her English. She also speaks French.) Grazia provided all the ingredients and, of course, the expertise. It wasn't long before we were rolling out dough and creating our own tagliatelle! Ditto for wonderful tortelloni filled spinach and cheese. We had wine, ate soup...oh, and her Bolognese gravy is to die for. We especially loved the stories she was able to tell us about her life in Bologna and other places. She was so warm and we felt like we made a new friend. Don't hesitate to book this wonderful class with this classy, wonderful woman.

This cooking class was the highlight of my trip to Bologna. Grazia was so warm and welcoming. I felt very comfortable in her beautiful home. She taught us how to make tortelloni and tagliatelle pasta. Her passion for teaching others about the food of her city was so evident. I’m so thankful for this experience and would recommend it to anyone!

What a wonderful experience! We were welcoming warmly into Grazia’s home and everything was ready to for us to begin our lesson. Graduated worked alongside us and was so encouraging, explaining everything very clearly and giving us lots of tips and fixes when our own efforts went slightly awry! We were very pleased with our tagliatelle and tortellini and Grazia served us both with two different homemade sauces which were delicious. Some lovely wine and a homemade dessert rounded off our visit perfectly. Thank you so much, Grazia, for your patience, good humour, fascinating insights into food history and, of course, for the lovely food! We will definitely be making our own pasta at home this week. A lovely lady and a great experience!

Grazia (and husband Vladimir) are amazing hosts, inviting our small group of three (two other travelers and myself) into their lovely home (with an adorable dog, welcoming guests happily) to learn age-old pasta making techniques with authentic tools and ingredients. After hand-preparing tagliatelle and tortellini, we enjoyed a glass of Lambrusco and a delightful meal together. This is how I want to spend time while traveling.

Great experience! Beautiful home and generous host who has a long history with Bologna and local cuisine. Wonderful experience for the whole family, to include the kids (ages 10 and 8). So glad we had the opportunity to do this!

Our experience with Grazia exceeded all expectations. We were in Bologna for a brief visit and wanted to take a cooking class. Reached out to Grazia the day before and she was able to fit us in. Also, I have several food sensitivities she graciously accommodated. Class was informative and taught with expertise, humor and warmth in her home. She taught us to prepare two types of pasta, which we dined on at the end with wine and dessert. Grazia was a wealth of knowledge on all Italian culinary questions. Passionate about passing down the recipes, history and knowledge of her country's exceptional food. A true hightlight of our trip!

My daughter Anna and I had a remarkable experience with Grazia in her home cooking authentic pasta in Bologna. This was one of the highlights of our whole 2 week trip. Enjoyed a small group, cozy and intimate experience in her home and the food was excellent. She shares her recipes following the experience we can't wait to try them out back in the US soon.

What an absolutely lovely morning and early afternoon spent in a warm home learning to make traditional egg pasta. It was a true highlight of our family’s trip. I highly recommend.

We thoroughly enjoyed the sharing of knowledge . We were welcomed into the home and made some good pasta . Easy to find , beautiful and clean home . Thank you

A cooking class is a regular part of our international trips. This was our 5th class and third in Italy and by far the best. Pastamama teaches the class in her own condo. It is a delightful experience into day to day Italian life. In addition, the group is limited in size to 5 people. There were 4 in our group so you can really learn the recipes. I have been making pasta since our first cooking class in Italy six years ago. Pastamama had some great tips and techniques that have upped my pasta making to the next level. I am finally comfortable making tortellini!!! The recipe booklet she provides is great. I made the Ragu à la Bolognaise the other night and it was incredible. My only caution is parking. We drove down from Parma for the class and it took a bit to find a parking spot. If you take the train she is close to the station. Overall great experience with a wonderful lady. Highly recommend.

We had a great experience taking this course, she is a true Bolognese chef! Her passion for sharing her cooking secrets and techniques was appreciated!

Learned so much about Bologna-area pasta and Grazia made us feel very successful as pasta makers😊 the fillings, sauces and dessert she prepared were delicious and we appreciated the intimate atmosphere and getting the recipes to try at home. Top notch all the way around.

Thank you Grazia for welcoming us into your home. I have learned so much in a short time, not only about food but also about Bologna and Italy. The tagliatelle we made were so good! Served with ragu sauce and wine plus a dessert at the end, it was definitely worth the trip. I can't wait to make this dish at home. And every time I make it I will remember Italian hospitality. Grazie mille!

Grazia was the perfect host. The experience took place in her very comfortable home. She had everything set up and ready to go. She explained the process thoroughly. We had a lot of fun making 2 different kinds of pasta. For lunch we ate what we made served with wine, limoncello and dessert… The group is small, maximum of 5 . Well worth the price… Thank you Grazia for a memorable experience.

Grazie was a wonderful host and teacher. She prepares the sauce so it can slow simmer while we make the pasta. She explains the different pastas and then guides us in making two varieties from scratch. What fun! We then sat down to enjoy our fresh pasta with her delicious sauce and, of course, some wine! Deliciouso!!!

We had the pleasure of taking a pasta-making class with Grazia, and it was truly one of the highlights of our time in Bologna. From the moment we arrived, Grazia welcomed us with incredible warmth and made us feel completely at home. Her passion for traditional Italian cooking is inspiring, and she explains every step with great care and patience. Learning how to make fresh pasta by hand – from kneading the dough to shaping tortellini – was both fun and fascinating. What made the experience even more special were the stories she shared about Bolognese culinary traditions and family life. The best part was, of course, enjoying the delicious meal together at the end. Everything tasted amazing, and it was incredibly rewarding to eat what we had prepared ourselves. Grazia creates something much more than a cooking class. It’s a warm, authentic, and truly memorable experience. If you are visiting Bologna, this is an absolute must-do!

Our cooking class with Grazia was a highlight of our trip to Italy. If you love Italian cooking and food, it’s a must-do activity. Grazia is an exceptional host, teacher and cook. She made us feel welcome in her lovely home and did an excellent job of informing and instructing us in the art of pasta making. The end result was delicious and beautifully presented. We travelled in Italy for two weeks, and I can honestly say that our meal with Grazia was as pleasant and delicious as any we had during our entire trip. If you can fit this class into your Italy itinerary, I’m confident you will enjoy it as much as we did. Ciao.

"An excellent experience: making pasta, learning about regional history, and enjoying a lovely lunch. Pastamama creates a welcoming and warm ambiance to be truly cherished."

A lovely experience hosted in Pasta Mama’s appartement, from making all kinds of pasta to sitting down for an excellent meal, sprinkled with lots of interesting “pasta” history

A great opportunity to learn about local history and Pasta history - definitely recommend - fun engaging and enjoyable

The cooking lesson was wonderful and the host was the best. Also loved the dog. We have remade recipes many times.

Maria opened her home and shared her pasta making skills with our family. It’ll be a highlight of our time in Italy! We can’t wait to try out our new skills when we get home. Grazie Mille Maria!

We booked a cooking class with Grazia for 2 adults and a teenager. We all enjoyed the opportunity to cook in Grazia’s home and share in her warmth and wisdom. This was our first time taking a cooking class together and it was such an enjoyable way to spend a morning and afternoon. Grazia is a kind and gracious host and teacher, sharing her knowledge and life experiences openly. I highly recommend this class for anyone interested in learning traditional techniques in pasta making. We are excited to return home and share our newfound knowledge with our friends and family. Thank you Grazia! Your home and class are beautiful!

My girlfriend and I took a pasta course with Maria Grazia in her apartment in Bologna, and it was a wonderful experience. She was very welcoming from the start, and her lovely dog made us feel right at home. Maria Grazia explained everything clearly and was very patient, which made the class relaxed and enjoyable. It was really fun to learn about the different pasta shapes and to make them ourselves. At the end, she cooked our fresh pasta with her homemade ragù, and it was absolutely delicious. It was especially nice to eat something we had made with our own hands. Overall, it was a great and authentic experience that I would definitely recommend.

We had a lovely time with Grazia. She is a real foodie, sharing her passion for food, recipes, ingredients and Bologna. This was an in home experience which also added another dimension to the experience. We left feeling a deeper connection to Bologna, knowing a lot more about making pasta, and full from a lovely lunch!

This is what you’ve been looking for. Being invited into the home of a native Bologna resident that is gracious and a beautiful host. Teaching you to make recipes she was taught from her grandmother. Her home is spacious, inviting, warm and Maria Grazia is the best of hosts. The food we created together was the most delicious I’ve had in Italy. It was a day well spent.

What can I say? My sister, aunt and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Grace's home! She was so warm, welcoming and patient with us as we attempted to make pasta, an art that she is clearly a master at. Whether or not you are good at cooking, Grace gives you step by step instructions, along with demonstrating herself, on how to make the pasta dough and how to form different pasta shapes. The best part about it is that making pasta is easier than you think. It takes a combination of muscle and fine motor skills but that makes the pasta taste all the more better! Grace paired each of the pastas' with a different sauce; a homemade ragu and a brown butter sage sauce. Absolutely delicious! During the three hours we were there, she left time for us to just sit and enjoy our dinner and dessert while looking out her picture window at Bologna. If you want an authentic Italian experience, look no further!

It was very personal and really enjoyed that Grace shared her home for us to enjoy this experience. She shared not only how to make pasta but about how the overall pasta making experience should be . Lovely place and outstanding service and we recommend it for anyone visiting Bologna .

This was one of the best things we did during our 2 week trip to Italy. Maria Grazia was fun and taught us so much. It was so rewarding to each the pasta we made. We can't wait to get home an start making our own pasta.

Grace was so kind and accommodating to my 15 year old granddaughter who is a vegetarian. She made a special vegetable sauce just for her that my picky granddaughter loved and still talks about. The class was small and intimate with the opportunity for lots of questions. Learning the proper feel of the pasta dough was very helpful and I finally learned how easy it is to make tortellini. Everything was delicious and we ate with a beautiful view, new friends and delicious wine. I would highly recommend Grace's class. Oh and she has the sweetest little pooch who seems to love everyone. It was a bonus to pet him. Thank you Grace for an amazing and educational way to spend a Sunday morning.

My husband and I had such a wonderful time at Grazia’s pasta-making class, where we learned how to make both tortelloni and tagliatelle. While we’ve made other types of pasta before, this experience really helped us refine our technique and feel more confident in the kitchen (practice, practice, practice!). Grazia is warm, patient, and full of great stories about regional pastas and their histories. Unexpected bonus: her sweet dog kept us company throughout the morning :) We also met a lovely couple visiting from the UK who shared great travel tips. It was such a genuine local experience and a true highlight of our trip. We’d do it again in a heartbeat next time we’re in Bologna. Grazie mille!

I absolutely loved this cooking class! It was one of the most authentic experiences I’ve had in Italy. Our host was wonderful — she explained every step in detail, answered all of our questions with patience and passion, and really made us feel at home. The class took place in a cozy, welcoming home environment, which added to the charm and authenticity. I’ve attended many cooking classes around the world, but this one truly stood out. I actually learned something new and meaningful, and I can’t wait to recreate the traditional Bolognese pasta we made once I’m back home. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a genuine local experience!

We had a fabulous morning with Grazia, who was very welcoming and knowledgeable about Bologna’s cuisine. Her pasta lesson was easy-going and fun. She makes a lovely, friendly connection with all her guests. The lunch afterwards around her table, using our homemade pasta was delicious. Cooking with Grazia is a delightful way to spend a few hours in Bologna.

We had the best time with Grazzia. Her home is so beautiful and welcoming (and her cute pup!) we learned so much from Grazzia, the meal was amazing and we feel like we had a true cooking class. Can’t recommend highly enough! Plus you get a true Bologna experience.

Grace was a great host and teacher. She kept things light while sharing details of making pasta. Turned out great! Perfect group size (5) for her home.

Grazia is very welcoming and professional. The experience exceeded our expectations and we now feel confident to make tagliatelle and tortelloni from scratch ourselves. It was one of the best things we did on our weekend break in this foody city.

I can’t recommend this fabulous class enough! Grace—better known as the kind and generous Pasta Mama—welcomed us into her beautiful home, which was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of the bolognese sauce she had prepared for our lunch. She guided us through pasta-making with patience and warmth, even weaving in bits of culinary history that I found fascinating. The entire experience was pure joy—we laughed, learned, and created something wonderful together. After making our pasta, Grace cooked it to perfection, and we sat down to enjoy one of the best meals I’ve ever had. My husband and I are foodies who love to cook, and we both agreed: this was the best pasta we’ve ever tasted. I can’t wait to recreate it for our family and friends back home.