Pio has always had a passion for cooking but Bologna is where he found his true love, pasta making, so much so that he abandoned his previous life as an accountant to become a full time artisan pasta chef. The word “sfoglia” means “large sheets of pasta” in Italian, and “sfoglina” refers to a female pasta-making woman who uses traditional techniques to make pasta. Pio considers himself a bit of an anomaly because he calls himself a "sfoglino", an Italian word that does not really exist. Pio considers himself very lucky to be able to make a living doing what he loves. He finds cooking to be very meditative and loves spending time with his daughter when they make pasta together.
Pio manages a fresh pasta shop where he makes pasta everyday, his dream job. Please note your experience takes place in a pasta shop where fresh pasta is made, not at his home which can only accommodate up to four people.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal: (5-10 guests) Join Pio at his pasta shop in Bologna and share traditional Bolognese cuisine, particularly fresh pasta dishes. You may enjoy dishes such as a classic tortellino in brodo and tagliatelle with ragù alla bolognese or his lasagne and passatelli in brodo. Pio likes to pay homage to his roots, and often includes traditional Pugliese dishes as well, such as orecchiette with turnip greens. Every so often he reinvents recipes by combining ingredients in different ways. Your meal will include a couple of fresh pasta dishes, a second course, dessert and coffee.
Cooking experience: (4-10 guests) Meet Pio at his local pasta shop in Bologna for a hands-on pasta-making class. In his shop kitchen, learn the techniques behind fresh Bolognese pasta, from tagliatelle to tortellini or passatelli. Pio will teach you how to prepare the dough, then roll, shape, cut and cook fresh pasta using traditional methods. The cooking portion of your experience lasts about an hour. Afterward, sit down with Pio to enjoy the Italian meal you helped prepare, accompanied by a few dishes prepared in advance. Learn the art of traditional pasta making from a local expert during this Bologna cooking class.
Notes: This experience is for groups 4+.
Languages spoken: English, Italian
Cooking with Pio is a wonderful experience, very casual and relaxed and not very formal at all. He loves music and likes to laugh as well. Makes people feel comfortable and welcomed in his home.
Carol, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pio was a great host and teacher... he obviously loves cooking and sharing it with others. My husband is a novice to the cooking... considering toast a huge culinary victory. I understand cooking and enjoy it but am by no means a master. Pio worked well with both of us. We got to his flat, which was easy to find on a major street. We took a taxi but found it simple enough to take a bus back. He had everything prepared for the class.We took time to watch his demonstration and then both mixed our own dough... we kneaded, rolled and stretched all with conversation and paced for our learning. I loved watching my husband learn to roll the tortellini around his fingers. We also made tagliatelle. We learned about other pasta shapes and sizes. While we cooked we learned more about Pio and the town. He showed us the ragu he had cooked prior to our arrival and explained the simple sauce of sage and olive oil he would use for our other dish. Dinner was a nice time with a simple starter and our pasta's... we were surprised by a main protein entree and then a great dessert. Pio sat and shared with us as our wine and conversation continued. All in all it was one of my favorite memories in Italy... I hope to see Pio again and I hope to share the pasta and sauces with friends here in Arizona. Thanks Pio!!!- Elaine S August 26, 2018
Pio had a friend join him to help translate in English for us and both were so knowledgeable and fun. Pio has a slab that was made just for pasta and rolled it all out by hand. We learned the tricky business of tortelloni as well as tagliatelle. There were several dishes Pio made to show us local favorites- and we had dinner on his patio.- Teri V December 19, 2017
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