The Culture of Food in Parma Marissa Mullen

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Marissa Mullen here, author and founder of That Cheese Plate. If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I will always travel for cheese. And this time, you’re coming along!

I’m beyond excited to announce that I’ll be hosting an unforgettable 6-day excursion through Parma, Italy, exploring some of the country’s finest cheese, salumi, and accompaniments. Picture this: a stunning, romantic, rustic backdrop where we’ll dive into the rich, delicious traditions of Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, prosciutto and much more.

This isn’t just a trip—it’s a celebration of the stories and flavors that inspire everything I create. From visiting artisan producers to tasting incredible local cuisine, we’ll experience the magic of Italian food culture together. If you’ve ever dreamed of immersing yourself in Italy’s iconic culinary traditions (with a little wine along the way, of course), consider this your invitation. – Marissa

The Culture of Food in Parma with Erin O’Brien

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Food has always been at the heart of my travels. When I go somewhere new, my first thought isn’t “what will we see?” but “what will we eat?” I want to try it all: from family-run trattorias to cozy spots serving silky prosciutto, fresh truffle, and tons of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Ideally with a glass of wine in hand.

Since 2022, my husband Andrew and I have been lucky enough to spend about a month each year in Italy, falling more in love with its food culture every time. My roots in the kitchen go back to cooking alongside my mom and grandma in Southern California, but Italy has become a place that inspires me again and again with its flavors, traditions, and endless hospitality.

I’m beyond excited to team up with Via Rosa to host a weeklong tour in Parma. We’ll explore charming towns, savor regional specialties, sip local wines, and enjoy the kind of meals that remind you why food and travel are such a perfect pair. I can’t wait to share this adventure (and all the bites along the way) with you! As someone who has participated in a Via Rosa tour in the past, I couldn’t be more honored to be doing this with them. I have long admired Elizabeth and Sophie and the way they share the true beauty of Italy through their one-of-a-kind experiences. Andiamo! – Erin

The Culture of Food in Parma with Sophie Minchilli

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While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region – lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle – that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.

Our home base will be Parma, where we’ll spend six nights and five immersive days diving deep into the flavors, traditions, and culture that make this region a paradise for food lovers. Each day, we’ll visit bustling markets and passionate food producers, cook, feast, and explore different corners of Emilia-Romagna. And don’t worry — you’ll have your late afternoons and evenings free to wander Parma at your own pace. Since our days will be filled with generous tastings, we’ve kept most evenings open so you can discover the city’s culinary delights as your appetite allows.

I hope you’ll join me in one of Italy’s most mouthwatering regions to savor some of its most cherished ingredients. – Sophie

The Culture of Food in Parma with Elizabeth Minchilli

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While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region – lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle – that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.

Our home base will be Parma, where we’ll spend six nights and five immersive days diving deep into the flavors, traditions, and culture that make this region a paradise for food lovers. Each day, we’ll visit bustling markets and passionate food producers, cook, feast, and explore different corners of Emilia-Romagna. And don’t worry — you’ll have your late afternoons and evenings free to wander Parma at your own pace. Since our days will be filled with generous tastings, we’ve kept most evenings open so you can discover the city’s culinary delights as your appetite allows.

I hope you’ll join me in one of Italy’s most mouthwatering regions to savor some of its most cherished ingredients. – Elizabeth

The Culture of Food in Parma with Shereen Pavlides

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My first trip to Italy changed my life. Working side by side with farmers and food producers gave me a deeper connection to Italian culture and made me a better cook. That passion led me to host my first Via Rosa tour, where I could share the joy of discovering Italy through its food. Now I’m thrilled to return, this time to Parma in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, home to lasagna, tortellini, and more DOP-protected foods than anywhere else in the country. Over six days we’ll cook, taste, and explore with the people who bring these traditions to life, while also enjoying time to savor Parma at your own pace. I can’t wait to share this delicious journey with you. – Shereen

The Culture of Food in Parma

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I’m Jenny Rosenstrach, author of the award-winning newsletter (and book series) Dinner: A Love Story. Italian food and tradition run deep in my family – my mother’s side hails from Abruzzo, and my daughters have been lucky enough to grow up with Italian grandmothers and great-grandmothers on both sides. After hosting an unforgettable Via Rosa tour in Sicily in 2023 and another in sun-drenched Puglia, I’m thrilled to return to Italy once again—this time to the heart of Emilia-Romagna, the culinary epicenter of the country.

For six nights and five delicious days, we’ll be based in Parma, a jewel of a city known for its deep food traditions and refined charm. We’ll dive headfirst into the rich flavors of the region – think Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, balsamico, hand-rolled pasta – and meet the passionate people who keep these traditions alive. From bustling markets to countryside kitchens, every day will bring hands-on cooking, behind-the-scenes tastings, and unforgettable meals. And don’t worry, there will be plenty of downtime to explore Parma’s cobblestoned streets, museums, and cafes at your own pace.

I hope you’ll join me for this deeply delicious adventure in one of Italy’s most iconic food regions!

– Jenny

The Culture of Food in Parma

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While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region — lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle — that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.

I’m thrilled to be heading to Parma next spring to explore some of Italy’s most iconic ingredients. I’ll be on a mission to taste the region’s best gelato (this is dairy country, after all!), delightfully crunchy hazelnut shortbread, and Modena’s famous dark chocolate cake. While pastry is my first love, I also have a deep affection for pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto, and all the other delicious treasures we’ll discover together. If you’re curious, hungry, and ready for a flavorful adventure, I hope you’ll join me and our wonderful Italian guides for a delicious tour of Parma! – Zoë

The Culture of Food in Parma

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While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region — lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle — that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.

Our home base will be Parma, where we’ll spend six nights and five immersive days diving deep into the flavors, traditions, and culture that make this region a paradise for food lovers. Each day, we’ll visit bustling markets and passionate food producers, cook, feast, and explore different corners of Emilia-Romagna. And don’t worry — you’ll have your late afternoons and evenings free to wander Parma at your own pace. Since our days will be filled with generous tastings, we’ve kept most evenings open so you can discover the city’s culinary delights as your appetite allows.

I hope you’ll join me in one of Italy’s most mouthwatering regions to savor some of its most cherished ingredients. – Elizabeth Minchilli

The Culture of Food in Parma

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I am thrilled to announce that I am once again heading back to Parma. Parma sits at the center of one of the greatest culinary traditions in Italy. Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto, Culatello and Balsamico are all made in the area. The region of Emilia Romagna has the greatest number of DOP and IGP (recognized and protected foods) in Italy. It’s also the region that developed and is famous for the most familiar Italian foods, think lasagne, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle.

Based in Parma, we will spend six nights and five very full days diving deeply into the culture of food that defines this region and makes it so delicious. We will visit markets and food producers to eat, cook, laugh and have fun.

Each day we will head out to visit different parts of Emilia Romagna, but you will have time in the late afternoon and evenings to explore the town on your own. Since we will be eating a lot during the day, we’ve left you most of the evenings free to explore the culinary landscape of Parma according to your own appetite

There are so many reasons to get excited about dining and exploring this extraordinary food culture. I hope you can join me! – Evan Kleiman