Countryside Cooking Parma With Chef Patrizia™

Tie on our apron and join us in Emilia Romagna for cooking classes in Parma Italy, where you will learn the secrets of local cooking and the story of local artisans, farmers and wine makers who have been carrying on the traditions of their food trade.  Stay at a gorgeous property, cook like a local and soak up the culture of this beautiful region.

You’ll be steeped in tradition with delicious Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto di Parma.  Learn the art of creating delicate tortellini, pasta fresca, Bolognese and lasagne, while sipping and swirling Lambrusco and Sangiovese mad by our family artisans.

Parma Accommodations

The estate property is located in Parma’s countryside.  Although just a few moments away from historic town, it seems like a world away. The property was once the summer country home of an ancient noble family, and has now been completely renovated respecting the historic past while adding thoughtful and luxurious modern amenities to keep you comfortable and relaxed during your stay.  The green gardens are filled climbing roses and endless flowers, along with an inviting swimming pool. It’s the perfect place to relax in a peaceful country setting.

Every room is large, bright and furnished with hand-embroidered curtains, comfortable beds, fine linens and a palate of soft colors. Private ensuite bathrooms are decorated with beautiful natural stone and furnished with boutique soaps and shampoos.  Each room offers air conditioning, underfloor heating, wifi, satellite flat screen televisions and hair dryers.

Enjoy a rich international breakfast each morning created by our chef which includes:  homemade breads, brioches, granola, croissants, tarts and crepes.  There are also hams and salumi, yogurt, farm butter, omelettes, eggs, coffee, tea, fruits and juices.  Our chef uses organic products – keeping everyone sound and healthy.

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Countryside Cooking With the Signora

The Signora welcomes everyone with a glass of wine and a warm smile.  Hands-on and brilliant in the kitchen, she takes each guest under her wing and works accordingly to your level.  The daughter of a private chef, she honed her skills through her years of hard work in the kitchen at a historic trattoria in Parma.  Most of all, she inherited her passion for cooking from her mother and grandmother – and she shares her knowledge and care for cooking with each guest.

Parma cooking classes are hands-on preparing antipasto, fresh pasta, sauces, main courses and desserts.  After the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking classes together with wine included.  Each Parma cooking class menu varies and is based on the fruits, vegetables and produce of the season.  Learn how to make erbazzone, a savory pie stuffed with beet tops.  Roll out tortelli, and simmer anolini in broth, tagliatelle, gnocchi, and Bolognese sauce – to name a few.  Dessert is always included with traditional sweets such as sbrisolona a tart or semi-freddo and, torta tenerina.

Learn the secrets of local artisans, farmers and ranchers employing techniques developed and refined through the centuries on an unforgettable odyssey through the heartland of Italian gastronomy.

During your stay you will experience a gastronomic tour through the Valle del Gusto, the food valley, where you will learn the story of prosciutto, Parmigiano and aged balsamico from local artisans who have perfected centuries-old recipes. Your knowledgeable guide will take you to local farms and producers in the rolling hills of Parma where you’ll enjoy tastings along the way.  Following your tour, we stop for lunch which is included.  Following your tour, you will return to the property.  We offer dining suggestions.

Discover Parma, the city of art, music and culinary delights. Tour the National Gallery with its stunning collection of medieval and Renaissance paintings or the Teatro Farnese. Parma is also is renowned an intellectual center – with a university that is one of the oldest in the world.  Parma is also know for its music, with composer Giuseppe Verdi, who was born near Busseto, along with conductor, Arturo Toscanini.  You may even be able to attend a concert, if in season.

During your stay, opt to explore some of the most prestigious castles in all of Italy, including Fontanellato, Soragna and Torrechiara.  Visit the Magnani Rocca Foundation, home to the stunning personal trove of renowned art collector Luigi Magnani. This collection includes works by Carpaccio, Dürer, Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Morandi and Burri, as well as sculptures by Canova and Bartolini.

Itinerary ~ 4 Days, 3 Nights

Day 1: Arrival, Aperitivo and Welcome Dinner with Chef’s Tasting Dinner!

• Arrive and relax.  Stroll the garden, take a swim in the pool or enjoy a glass of wine.
• Welcome Dinner including a Chef’s Tasting menu featuring local fare with wine included.

Day Two ~ Visit Winery with Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Experience & Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet your driver and visit a historic residence for a Wine Tour and Tasting with Food Pairing Experience, light lunch.
• Following your wine tour, return to the property for Cooking Class 1.  Tie on your aprons for a farm-to-table cooking class featuring Cotoletta alla Bologone.  Everyone enjoys the food prepared in the class to follow with local wine included.

Day Three~ Breakfast and Ciao!

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, check out and departure. Ciao!