Let’s meet Cesarini Andrea e Marta from Bologna

Let’s have a chat with the Cesarini Andrea and Marta from Bologna. In the kitchen, they’re like the sun and the moon: she’s the creative one, while he’s guided by the chemistry behind each recipe. Andrea’s passion for Italian cuisine comes from his experience working in restaurants, while Marta has loved home cooking since she was a child, finding in it a special way to express affection.

Between tradition, craftsmanship, and a few family secrets, they tell us how cooking can become a way to connect with others and discover the world, one dish at a time.

How did your passion for Italian cooking begin?

Andrea:
My passion was born at home. That’s where I started developing an interest in cooking in general, until it eventually became my profession. I worked as a chef in several restaurants and fell in love with fine dining. After mastering the fundamental techniques, I decided to focus on Italian cuisine. Understanding the basics and the methods has allowed me to recognize and correct the most common mistakes in our traditional dishes, enhancing their true value even more.

Marta:
Andrea and I are a bit like the sun and the moon – different, yet complementary. Ever since I was a child, I loved spending time in the kitchen, creating and experimenting for fun. I’ve always been attached to the idea of home cooking – the genuine kind, made with heart. Today, cooking for me is an act of freedom, a way to express myself. While Andrea prefers desserts, with their precision and almost “chemical” balance that demand accuracy and discipline, I enjoy savory dishes more, because they leave room for creativity. For me, cooking is a way to express love and warmth to the people around me.

How did you discover the Cesarine community?

Andrea:
My first encounter was on Instagram. I saw a Bologna-based influencer talking about the Cesarine in some of his videos, and it immediately caught my attention. I mentioned it to Marta, telling her I’d love for us to try that experience too. I didn’t feel like doing it on my own: I needed her support. And that’s how it all began.

Marta:
The opportunity came at a particular moment in our lives, when we were trying to figure out what we really wanted to do. I’m usually not a fan of change (actually, I kind of hate it), but in this case, I didn’t think twice: I said yes right away. It was an instinctive decision.

What do you enjoy most about your experience with Cesarine?

Andrea:
Through our experiences with Cesarine, where you welcome guests from all over the world, you get the chance to encounter so many different perspectives. It allows you to step outside your own bubble and discover people, stories, and ways of life that are completely different from your own.

Marta:
For us, the people who come from all over the world are a real source of energy. It’s also a way for us to experience new things, learn about other cultures, and discover what’s happening in different parts of the world. It helps us practice the language, too, and over time it’s made us feel completely open and at ease, almost like a superpower! It’s wonderful to share our idea of Italian cuisine, which is often quite different from how it’s perceived abroad. We’ve noticed, for example, a strong connection with guests from China: there’s a shared sensitivity toward food as an act of care and togetherness.

What’s your signature or most beloved recipe?

Andrea:
My favorite dish is ragù alla bolognese. It’s a recipe that deeply connects me to my experience here in Bologna. I’m originally from Calabria, but I came to this city for work, and it was in the restaurants where I trained that I learned how to make it. In each kitchen I worked in, I “stole” a few secrets and techniques until I created my own personal version of ragù, a dish that embodies my journey, my roots, and the city that has now become home.

Marta:
My favorite dish is bread. It’s the simplest and yet the most wonderful thing in the world. It takes patience, but the process of making it is beautiful: it soothes you, and the hands-on work makes it a truly unique experience. Every time I bake bread, I feel like I’m truly creating something with my own hands, and that gives me a very special kind of satisfaction.

Cooking Class: Ragù alla Bolognese, the King of Emilia-Romagna Tradition

Don’t miss the chance to learn how to make the authentic ragù alla bolognese, the iconic sauce for tagliatelle. Join Marta and Andrea for a class entirely dedicated to this culinary star of Emilia-Romagna.

Book your spot now and discover all the secrets behind this iconic recipe, passed down through generations.

The Cesarine Community

Founded in Bologna in 2004, Cesarine is today the largest Italian network of home cooks, with over 1,500 active members. Through the platform cesarine.com, it connects travelers with locals, offering the chance to discover traditional Italian cuisine through hands-on cooking classes, tastings, and gastronomic tours. The community values authenticity, conviviality, and the sharing of domestic knowledge, providing an experience that goes beyond conventional tourism.

The main audience comes from the United States, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Northern Europe. Since 2019, Cesarine has been part of the Slow Food “Comunità Diffuse”, promoting responsible tourism and supporting local economies.