This course gives guests the opportunity to learn not just about the food and food culture of Bologna, but also get to know the local people and experience first hand their passion and enthusiasm for cooking, food and life! The ingredients are important too, and simplicity is the key - the gastronomic delights of Bologna are legendary. A cookery course here is not complete without making a classic Bolognese ragu, or tortellini pasta stuffed with ricotta or butternut squash, depending on the season.


The Experience
This is a 3 night/4day cooking course with accommodation in an exclusive private villa. Highlights include 2 cookery lessons, a private visit to a balsamic vinegar producer and a day in Bologna for sightseeing and shopping.

Bologna is Italy's food capital and home to parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and parma ham. Bologna is an enchanting location for a cooking holiday with an excellent food market in the city centre, and some seriously good delicatessens to shop in. Bologna is also a fantastic place to visit with its galleries, museums, theatres and churches comfortably providing plenty of entertainment away from the kitchen!

Venue Palazzo Minelli dates back to the 15th century and is a classic example of a Bolognese country estate house. It is situated in the "Pianura", a rich, fertile, agricultural area 20 minutes drive north of Bologna. Guests stay in the former stables block which has been simply converted into en suite bedroom with wooden beams, white washed walls and tiled floors. The former laundry now houses the kitchen and has a rustic feel with original fireplace, cobble stone floor and antique marble top tables.

Who's cooking? Mario is our star chef, and he owns and runs one of the best restaurants in Bologna. On the menu might be anything from stuffed guinea fowl to seared sea bass with aubergine and basil infusion. Always popular is his freshly made strawberry ice-cream with balsamic drizzle.

Vital Information
Included are return scheduled flights to Italy from London (regional flights can be arranged on request), accommodation, cookery lessons, meals, wines, excursions as per itinerary, transport throughout and a flavours host to accompany each group.

Our Italian holidays are ideal for people who love Italian food and wine, and are as popular with single travellers, both men and women as couples and friends travelling together.