Cesarine: Small Group Pasta And Tiramisu Class In Parma

The host is a very gracious person in addition to being an excellent cook and patient instructor. Of course the food was delicious, however, and more importantly, we got a real sense of how Italians live. We highly recommend this experience.

We had a very enjoyable experience learning how to make pasta & tiramisu with Cristina. We appreciated her sharing her family recipes with us. A special bonus was sitting down to the delicious meal with Cristina & her husband, Enzo. We felt like family!!

A great experience. Chef took care of our allergies really well, and was great with our 9 year old. She helped us cook up a delicious meal. One heads up is that the location is a little outside of the center, so plan accordingly if you don't have a car. Would definitely recommend.

The host in Parma was very nice and all, but now I realize I was basically scammed. We made one simple pasta and one dessert (tiramisu). The aperitif consisted of the cheapest half bottle of wine, a small bowl of planters peanuts and corn chips cracked up into pieces and when I asked what it was she said, “Masa”. I almost laughed. It was corn Tostitos cracked up in a bowl. It was nice time visiting, but the cost for two people was a joke. It was worth maybe $25 per person,maximum. The reason I say scammed is because my wife and I just did a 9 hour wine tour which was awesome for the same cost.

Wow! What a memorable experience. Our cooking class with Mauro and his wife Natalia was spendido! We really did not know what to expect, but it certainly exceeded whatever expectations we could have had. Mauro and Natalia are delightful, have lots of energy, and made us feel truly like family. The meal we prepared was pretty good, too! lol. Seriously, this was a highlight of our 3-week adventure in northern Italy. We prepared and ate many courses of a delicious meal, getting to know each other during the relaxing evening. And we were fortunate to have toured Mauro's fascinating garden where he grows and nurtures all kinds of goodies that he uses in his cooking and drinking. This was an A+ activity, and we will look to do this again when we return to Italy. Thank you Mauro and Natalia!

This is as genuine experience as one could hope for. Cari’s and Augusto welcomed us into their home and the time together learning about local food and culture was tremendous. I highly recommend spending an evening with them.

It was wonderful being invited into Paola‘s home and getting to experience recipe from her family. We had a wonderful time both preparing and enjoying the food as was as the conversation with you and your husband. It was certainly a great way to end our day in Parma.

It was a wonderful experience learning the Italian ways to make pasta. Cooking with a local makes all the difference. We had a great time learning from David’s S. Make sure to arrange a ride to your place. There may not be trains traveling to your destination.

Catia, our Cesarina in Parma, along with Augusto, her husband, welcomed us into their home to show us how to prepare some typical dishes of Parma. Four of us participated: grandparents and 2 college-aged grandchildren. To begin, we were shown to a table full with antipasti typical of the Parma area, including prosciutto di Parma, salumi, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, assorted bread and crackers, open-faced sandwich squares, etc. We also learned about prosciutto (with an actual prosciutto ham as a visual aide) from Augusto, who worked many years in Langhirano, the major production centre for the Prosciutto di Parma. After enjoying the antipasti, we went into the kitchen to prepare 2 types of tortelli-and tiramisu for dessert. We enjoyed the pleasant company of our hosts and all the knowledge they imparted while preparing the dishes. Our 20-something grandchildren especially liked the personal quality of being with an Italian family in their home, and learning from and conversing with them. They even tried to speak a little Italian with our hosts. After enjoying our dinner together, we headed to Milan. Catia even packed a care-package of the extra tiramisu for our granddaughter (study abroad student) to take back to school in Milan. Grazie mille, Catia and Augusto for the wonderful cooking experience you provided for us, and the lifetime memories you have created for our grandchildren.

What a great and authentic experience! The company was great and the food was better. A must do in Parma!

We had a great time cooking with Catia and her husband. They were gracious hosts and treated us like family. It was fun getting to learn about the different recipes and traditions in Parma! I also got to work on my Italian which is always a plus.

Spending the night in Parma with Gulia, Katia, and Augusto was an unforgettable experience filled with warmth, generosity, and joy. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed into their home as though we were part of the family. We gathered in the kitchen, where laughter mixed with conversation and stories as we prepared tortelli by hand. Between these moments, we paused to enjoy Katia’s homemade snacks, continuing to share the experiences of our cultures. Later, we sat together at the table, savoring the meal we had created, accompanied by glasses of the family’s own wine. Cooking, eating, and talking together felt like stepping into the very heart of Parma, creating memories I will cherish forever.

Such a beautiful experience! We felt so welcomed—like part of the family. It was more than a cooking class; it was a true dive into Italian culture, flavors, and hospitality. Unforgettable!

Wonderful, warm hospitality and delicious lesson. We had a great time and highly recommend. We felt very welcome (parents & 18-yr daughter from US).

What can I say? Mauro and Natalia are the most delightful and magnificent hosts! They patiently showed me how to make perfect tortelli, tagliatelle and tiramisu, all of which were beyond scrumptious. Mauro has an amazing collection of wines in his cellar, and he even makes his own liqueur. Did I mention he has a coal burning oven where he makes his own focaccia? What more can anyone ask for. At the end of the evening I was so full I could barely move, but didn't want to miss out on anything. Apart from learning how to make these delicious dishes, the best part of the evening was getting to know this lovely and welcoming couple. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting the Parma area.

Christina is a generous personality who enjoys sharing her experience and knowledge with others. After having us decide who would take notes (Fred) and who would participate in the hands-on class (Yukari), Christina quickly got to work. She demonstrated for Yukari every step in the process of making the regional pasta specialty, Tortelli, Parmesan Soufflé and Tiramisu and had Yukari execute the steps in parallel. Cristina interleaved the steps of the three dishes to save time, just as anyone at home would do. She moves with efficiency and precision. Cristina even made micro-pizzas on toast as antipasti. Then we got to eat the creations for lunch with a glass of wine! We enjoyed our time with Cristina very much. The class was very informative and a lot of fun. We highly recommend this class with Cristina.

This was a great experience! Cristina makes you feel at home. Cristina really loves what she does and puts her heart into everything she cooks. The ambience of cooking with family and having a family meal on their home was something to remember.

Had an amazing experience with Christina! I signed up alone and was delighted to be joined by a lovely couple! Loved learning cooking techniques from Christina, unbelievable passion and knowledge of local ingredients and cuisine! Definitely a highlight of my trip to Parma! Thank you Enzo and Christina for welcoming me into your beautiful kitchen and home!!

This was the highlight of our entire 4 weeks in Italy. It was such an authentic way to get to know Italy and Parma. Mauro had such joy when cooking and teaching people how to cook. To top it off the food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend to anyone - a must do.

The hospitality of Christina and Enzo was both authentic and heartwarming. We enjoyed the conversations during the food prep which used only the finest and freshest ingredients! We enjoyed learning from Christina about her craft, at which she is masterful! We enjoyed the banter with Enzo, but most of all, we enjoyed the most amazing meal from Parma.

Christina (and Enzo) were fabulous hosts and teacher of Italian cooking and eating. This was one of the highlight of our trip. Would definitely recommend to any and all. We loved our evening.

We we’re welcomed into their home as if we were long time friends. Christine and Enzo were warm and enthusiastic. Enzo gave us a tour of their incredible garden. The food was marvelous, the atmosphere homey and the company fantastic!

Our host was exceptional!! Lisa & Max made our anniversary so incredible- it really felt like we were going over to a dear friend’s home for dinner. I highly recommend booking this experience!

My husband and I had such an amazing experience with Cristina. She was so warm and welcoming and opened her home to us! Cooking with her in Parma in her kitchen was so very special. It took me back to my grandmother's kitchen. Food was amazing and the company was equally as great! I highly recommend to anyone visiting Parma and wants to learn how to cook an authentic Northern Italian meal!

This was one of the best food classes i have ever done. Paola was gracious in her beautiful home and we got expert instruction on making pasta by hand. Great fun. Delicious food.

This is a great excuse to get out to Parma. We were staying in Bologna and took a day trip to Modena and Parma. We had a 5pm class with Christina which gave us an opportunity to see the church in Parma and end our day with Christina and Enzo for dinner. It’s really about the energy of this couple. You end up feeling like your with your Italian parents/grandparents. My 18 year old daughter joked that Christina gave my daughters own grandmother a little competition. Enzo is so incredibly charming and fun! Christina is an incredible cook and just lovely!!! Your going to fall in love with them! They are so loving, patient and kind! The bonus is their home is gorgeous. It’s from the 1400s. You will feel enveloped in Italian culture. They showed us their garden. We talked about real life things. I actually want to stay in touch with them I liked them so much.

This is a very intimate tour inside the home of Christina, a traditional cook with the presence of her own mother. Displayed are Christina’s mother’s pots and pans on the wall above a traditional wood pizza oven. All original recipes were indexed and carefully preserved. Enso the husband of Christina is a jovial presence that knew to stay out of his wife’s kitchen during our lesson and join us with our completed meal. The actual experience of being in a Italian home for a cooking experience is the best tour I could have dreamed of. I am excited to replicate the cooking of vegetable cake and tiramisu, in my own home with friends and family.

Christina was an excellent host. My wife and I had a ball learning how to cook Italian. Would recommend highly. Great authentic experience in her home. Afterward, we had a great supper with she and her husband. Lots of laughs!

Grazie Enzo e Christina, you welcomed us into your home and shared your love of food and family. My son and I throughrouly enjoyed our cooking experience and can not wait to recreate your delights for family at home. Your kitchen was as warm and wonderful as your hospitality. I can recommend this experience to anyone with a passion for food, fun, and culture. He mihinui kia korua mo tou manakitanga. Ka nui te aroha kia korua. If you are ever in New Zealand, please come and let us cook for you both! Noeleen and Taina Fox-Matamua.

Cesarina was a great host making multiple local dishes we cannot find outside of Parma. She was also very friendly sharing about her life.

Absolutely the best experience I’ve had in Italy. The knowledge, patience and enthusiasm of the host was incredible. Class was in their home which was wonderfully comfortable. Would love to take another class from the same instructor. Pasta turned out good. Tiramisu was the best I’ve ever had. Host served local wine with the meal which was perfectly paired for our meal. Book this experience with confidence that you’ll have a great time!

Cooking was Paola was very fun. She is so nice and welcoming to her pasta class. We learned so much and the food was amazing. Paola and her husband were very inviting and we even got to eat our dishes with them both. Would highly recommend!

Our family enjoyed an evening with Paola making pasta and tiramisu the old- fashioned way. Paola was a very patient instructor, and we really enjoyed our discussion time with her and with her husband Marco, as we ate the dinner we had prepared. A great experience!