Oriana
Cesarina from 2018My speciality: A selection of cured meats, Parmigiano Reggiano and baked polenta
I live in: Bologna
Spoken languages: Italian and English
Good to know
I offer vegetarian alternatives
Hi from Oriana!
Oriana, our Cesarina, lives within walking distance of one of the most historically rich and picturesque places in Bologna, the Basilica di Santo Stefano. Here, in one of the most beloved areas of the historic town, by both Bolognese and tourists, Oriana introduces us to her family: Salvatore, her husband, and their four children that they love to pamper by cooking them healthy meals, while passing on the family recipes.Oriana is originally from Naples, but living in Bologna, she has learned how to make sfoglia, the typical local pasta, and ragù alla Bolognese. She delights in choosing the best cuts of meat to prepare her excellent bollito, or boiled meat, and for the smallest of her daughters, a lover of tortellini, she cooks this local pasta strictly in meat broth.
My specialities
- Tagliatella with ragu
- A selection of cured meats, Parmigiano Reggiano and baked polenta
- Tortellini in meat broth
Experiences
Cooking classes (3)
Reviews
5.0
77 reviews
- My family’s experience cooking with Oriana was truly amazing. She was so welcoming and made us feel right at home and part of her family. No other experience we had on our Italian vacation was able to top this. She is a truly beautiful person and if you ever get the chance to book an evening cooking with Oriana, I would absolutely do it. Cesarine is lucky to have someone like Oriana representing them. Thank you again Oriana for a once in a lifetime experience!!
- Oriana gave this family and friends of six a beautiful memory. One we will always cherish💕 Our evening of cooking with Oriana was wonderful! She was so gracious ( we were a bit late), and she immediately made us feel at home, relaxed and ready for some fun. The view from her balcony was also very beautiful . We started with some white sparkling wine and delicious appetizers including aged Parmesan and homemade crackers and another delicious dish she prepared for us. Then she taught us how to make three different pastas and tiramisu. Afterward, she cooked our pasta with both her delicious bolognese sauce and cheese sauce . They were perfect! Along with another bottle of red wine and then the tirimasu, it was a perfect night. We can’t recommend her and this experience enough! She is fabulous!!! Thank you so much for the beautiful memory Oriana😘
- Whether it was divine providence, the stars aligning, or just sheer dumb luck, I could not have been happier with this joy-filled dinner party and class. My wife, daughter, and I signed up for the class based on the description of making two fresh pastas and a dessert. I thought we might be just the three of us but we hit the lottery and were paired up with an amazing couple. I am always astonished and impressed by gifted hosts. Oriana is perhaps the best I’ve ever met or witnessed. She put everyone at ease, even when telling us that we were mixing too slow or fast. After putting on our aprons, we hand-made our pasta dough. While we made the dough Oriana started telling stories of food and family and made all of us feel like family. As the dough rested, we snacked on antipasti, and then made a tiramisu. She seamlessly divided up the work so that everyone was involved and active. After the dough had rested, we rolled it out and made two different pastas: tagliatelle and maccheroncini. One made by folding then cutting into strips. The other one made by cutting into rectangles, pressing ridges on a pasta comb, then rolling into little scrolls. Oriana cooked the pasta and served the tagliatelle with a Bolognese meat sauce, and the maccheroncini with a zucchini onion sauce. They were exquisite. When we complimented her, she mirrored the compliments on us saying that our hands had made the pasta. The tiramisu was the best I’ve ever eaten. It is difficult trying to express what a lovely evening we had. My wife and daughter were happy, we had met a lovely traveling couple, we had been hosted by a uniquely kind and genuine person who was outstanding in all necessary qualities of hospitality, teaching, and cooking skills. I am writing this review to express my gratitude to both Oriana of Bologna, and my new favorites from Clarksville. Grazie mille and grazie di cuore.
- The cooking evening at Oriana was a great and unforgettable evening for the whole family.
- I rarely write reviews; however, in this case I feel compelled to do so. Oriana was outstanding!!! Foremost, she is an amazing instructor with great patience and attention to detail. I was completely relaxed in her company and home (you cannot be nervous making pasta). Additionally, she is an amazing person, taking the time to get to know you and making the most helpful suggestions to enrich your time in Bologna. It is with complete confidence that I highly recommend Oriana to others.
Walter - July 2025
Daneen - June 2025
Kirk J - June 2025
Andrea - May 2025
Dale H - May 2025