Cookery schools in and around Bologna

If you have been transported by fresh, handmade pasta and Bolognese specialities and want to learn how to cook them for friends and family at home, these are the offers for you.

As we all know, in Bologna the use of the rolling pin is de rigeur for making pastry...

Here is a selection of cookery schools in the city where you can learn how to make perfect pastry and much more

In the historic centre

First off is Salotto di Penelope (Penelope's Parlour) in Via San Felice. As the name suggests, it’s a convivial place where you can take morning and evening cookery lessons. And what’s more, the cookery classes are also open to young children. Continuing along Via del Pratello, after you've sipped a spritz and nibbled a tigella, you can join a three-hour cooking class at Bologna Cucina. Heading towards the centre and the two towers, you will surely come across one of the many locations of a Bologna institution – the Cesarine school.

Further along Via San Vitale, Rita Mattioli offers more than 30 courses, categorised by level and type of dish. Finally, the Vecchia Scuola Bolognese (Old Bologna School) founded by Alessandra Spisni, will impart all the secrets of Bolognese cuisine, in a friendly yet professional environment.

Eataly and Bottega Portici (Portico House) are well known for the delicious local dishes they prepare for their customers and for their traditional product shops, but in fact they also run cooking courses ranging from preparing classic puff pastry with a rolling pin to classes on how to make exquisite gourmet sandwiches.

Outside the city centre

If you want to take part in a cookery course amidst lush greenery, the Podere San Giuliano (San Giuliano Farm) is the place for you. About twenty minutes from Bologna, this agri-tourism farm is renowned for its cookery classes using ingredients sourced directly from the farm and has been registered as a socially inclusive enterprise since 2001.

Imola is a land of wine and gastronomic excellence that straddles the Emilian and Romagna culinary traditions. Here, the star-rated San Domenico restaurant often offers courses with renowned chefs.

In the foothills of Castel San Pietro Terme, Bianca awaits you with her Felsina Culinaria: online or in-person cooking courses to learn the tastiest recipes from the Bolognese tradition.

© Ristorante San Domenico, Imola

Up in the Apennines, the Borgo Pianello residence (Rocca Corneta, Lizzano in Belvedere) organises cookery and show cooking classes for its guests, as does Palazzo Loup in Loiano.

In the Bazzano locality of Valsamoggia, the Wellness gourmet cookingschool is just the thing for anyone who prefers small-group cookery classes in a warm and welcoming environment.

After attending one of these cookery classes, all that's left to do is assemble your ingredients and impress your guests.

If you haven't found the cookery school that's right for you, find out more.