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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Mercedes

Bologna, Italy

USD
$85 per person

Handmade Pasta Making Class in Bologna with a Local

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Mercedes

A passionate home cook, Mercedes learned the secrets of traditional Bolognese cuisine from her husband’s family and has spent years recreating their recipes in her own kitchen. She loves sharing the techniques and stories behind Bologna’s most iconic dishes, from handmade fresh pasta to traditional sauces. For Mercedes, Bolognese cooking is about more than food—it is about family, tradition, and bringing people together around the table. Born in Colombia, Mercedes moved to Italy after getting married and has called Bologna home for the past 20 years. After graduating in tourism, she developed a deep appreciation for Bologna’s culture, history, and culinary traditions. She looks forward to welcoming travelers into her home and sharing the food and traditions that have become such an important part of her life.

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: (1-4 guests) Enjoy a private, hands-on pasta making class with Mercedes and her daughter Valerie in their Bologna home. During this two-hour cooking class, discover how locals prepare traditional Bolognese dishes using family recipes and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Start by making fresh pasta dough from scratch, learning how to knead and roll the dough before shaping it into tagliatelle or tortelloni. You’ll then prepare a traditional accompaniment such as ragù Bolognese, ricotta and spinach filling, or butter and sage, depending on the pasta and seasonal menu. As you cook together, Mercedes will share traditional pasta-making techniques, helpful cooking tips, and stories about life and food in Bologna—including the sweet story of how she met her husband. After your hands-on cooking class, sit down with Mercedes and Valerie to enjoy the homemade Bolognese meal you helped prepare, accompanied by a glass of local Italian wine. This private Bologna cooking class offers a personal way to experience the city through its food, learn the traditions behind fresh pasta and Bolognese cuisine, and connect with a local family in their home.

Notes:
1. Mercedes speaks fluent Italian and Spanish and some English. Her daughter Valerie will join the experience to help with translation and ensure smooth communication.
2. Vegetarian menus are available with advance notice. Please share any dietary restrictions or food allergies when booking so Mercedes can accommodate them whenever possible.

Languages spoken: English, Italian, Spanish, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Appetizer: Affettati misti (cured meats) or Cotoletta alla Bolognese (veal cutlet) or Stuffed courgettes Bolognese style
  • Main: Tagliatelle al ragù, Tortelloni with butter and sage, Balanzoni or Tortelloni ricotta e spinaci
  • Dessert: Tiramisu
  • A glass of local Italian wine

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
My clients LOVED this experience with Mercedes and her family and highly recommend it!
- Bobbi July 26, 2026

Mercedes

$85 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $85 $85 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $85 $85 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Mercedes

A passionate home cook, Mercedes learned the secrets of traditional Bolognese cuisine from her husband’s family and has spent years recreating their recipes in her own kitchen. She loves sharing the techniques and stories behind Bologna’s most iconic dishes, from handmade fresh pasta to traditional sauces. For Mercedes, Bolognese cooking is about more than food—it is about family, tradition, and bringing people together around the table. Born in Colombia, Mercedes moved to Italy after getting married and has called Bologna home for the past 20 years. After graduating in tourism, she developed a deep appreciation for Bologna’s culture, history, and culinary traditions. She looks forward to welcoming travelers into her home and sharing the food and traditions that have become such an important part of her life.

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: (1-4 guests) Enjoy a private, hands-on pasta making class with Mercedes and her daughter Valerie in their Bologna home. During this two-hour cooking class, discover how locals prepare traditional Bolognese dishes using family recipes and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Start by making fresh pasta dough from scratch, learning how to knead and roll the dough before shaping it into tagliatelle or tortelloni. You’ll then prepare a traditional accompaniment such as ragù Bolognese, ricotta and spinach filling, or butter and sage, depending on the pasta and seasonal menu. As you cook together, Mercedes will share traditional pasta-making techniques, helpful cooking tips, and stories about life and food in Bologna—including the sweet story of how she met her husband. After your hands-on cooking class, sit down with Mercedes and Valerie to enjoy the homemade Bolognese meal you helped prepare, accompanied by a glass of local Italian wine. This private Bologna cooking class offers a personal way to experience the city through its food, learn the traditions behind fresh pasta and Bolognese cuisine, and connect with a local family in their home.

Notes:
1. Mercedes speaks fluent Italian and Spanish and some English. Her daughter Valerie will join the experience to help with translation and ensure smooth communication.
2. Vegetarian menus are available with advance notice. Please share any dietary restrictions or food allergies when booking so Mercedes can accommodate them whenever possible.

Languages spoken: English, Italian, Spanish, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Appetizer: Affettati misti (cured meats) or Cotoletta alla Bolognese (veal cutlet) or Stuffed courgettes Bolognese style
  • Main: Tagliatelle al ragù, Tortelloni with butter and sage, Balanzoni or Tortelloni ricotta e spinaci
  • Dessert: Tiramisu
  • A glass of local Italian wine

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
My clients LOVED this experience with Mercedes and her family and highly recommend it!
- Bobbi July 26, 2026
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $85 $85 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $85 $85 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.