Pasta The River Cottage Way
Overview
Looking for the best pasta-making course in the UK? Join us at River Cottage for a hands-on culinary experience with Chiara Tomasoni—a name and face you’ll recognise from MasterChef: The Professionals 2024. Learn how to make fresh pasta from scratch and discover authentic Italian techniques with guidance from a true expert.
Why Choose a River Cottage Pasta Course?
Your experience begins with an introduction to the key ingredients for pasta-making success. At River Cottage, we champion sustainability, using locally sourced organic eggs and seasonal flours like wholemeal, spelt, or pea flour.
Chiara will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you leave with the skills and confidence to recreate these dishes at home.
What You’ll Take Home
By the end of the day, you’ll have a delicious array of hand-crafted pasta and sauces, including:
- Fresh tagliatelle, gnocchi, and orecchiette.
- Stuffed pasta like tortellini and ravioli.
- Homemade sauces such as tomato, carbonara, and puttanesca.
Book Your Place
Whether you’re a pasta enthusiast or looking for the perfect foodie experience, this course offers a unique opportunity to learn from one of the UK’s most talented chefs. Spaces are limited—book now to secure your spot at River Cottage’s pasta-making course with Chiara Tomasoni.
“Absolutely brilliant course. Well structured and excellent tuition. Great fun whilst learning. Highly recommended.” Richard, April 2023
What You'll Learn
Perfect the Pasta Dough: Mix, knead, and roll fresh pasta dough to achieve the ideal texture.
Master Classic Shapes: Create tagliatelle, orecchiette, tortellini, ravioli, and gnocchi.
Use Seasonal, Local Ingredients: Work with organic eggs, British flours, and vibrant greens like spinach or nettles.
Craft Authentic Sauces: Prepare rich tomato, creamy carbonara, and bold puttanesca sauces to pair with your pasta.
Cook Like a Pro: Learn cooking techniques to ensure your pasta is always perfectly prepared.
Your day
10:00 - 17:00
Make yourself at home
You will meet your host and start the day with tea, coffee and a treat fresh from the kitchen.
SESSION ONE
Start by learning to make your doughs: classic 00, wholesome green (with spinach or nettles), and semolina. Chiara will guide you through the basics of dough preparation and teach you how to work with these essential ingredients.
SESSION TWO
Chiara will discuss the importance of ethically sourcing ingredients. You’ll explore how alternative flours can elevate classic dishes and create exciting variations, all while learning the principles behind sustainable pasta-making.
SESSION THREE
In this session, Chiara will help you master pasta shapes and sauces. Learn which shapes pair best with different sauces and use the dough you made earlier to craft your own delicious dish for lunch.
LUNCH
Enjoy your handmade pasta paired with a freshly prepared sauce, accompanied by a vegetable side dish from the River Cottage kitchen. Afterward, treat yourself to a delightful dessert, perfect to round off your meal.
SESSION FOUR
After lunch, dive into making gnocchi, plus explore additional shapes and sauces. Chiara will also introduce you to the world of commercial salami cabinets, drying chambers, and professional smokers. Learn how hot and cold smoking techniques can create delicious items like bresaola, pastrami, salt beef, and venison ham.
SESSION FIVE
You’ll wrap up the day by learning how to make filled pasta, using seasonal ingredients from River Cottage’s garden and local suppliers. This session will focus on seasonal produce and how to incorporate it into your pasta creations.
Departure
As the day draws to a close, you’ll have time to chat with fellow pasta enthusiasts and the River Cottage team. At 5 PM, you'll head back up the hill with your handmade pasta and the skills to recreate your experience at home.
Further Information
Directions
This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.
Licensed Venue
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
Accommodation
If you would like to stay at the heart of River Cottage, we offer overnight accommodation at River Cottage HQ in our beautiful 17th century farmhouse. We have three stylishly refurbished bedrooms for B&B plus the 2-bedroom Gardener's Cottage. These get booked quickly so for more information go to rivercottage.net/stay to book. Alternatively, we have put together a list of our local accommodation which includes B&Bs, self-catering, hotels and camping.
Suitability
We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
Allergy Advice
Sorry, we’re afraid this course is not suitable for those who are vegan or have wheat intolerances.
