{"id":17017,"date":"2026-05-17T02:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T02:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/17017\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T02:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T02:12:12","slug":"kate-middleton-joins-pasta-making-class-in-italy-as-chef-says-you-are-hired","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/17017\/","title":{"rendered":"Kate Middleton joins pasta making class in Italy as chef says ‘you are hired’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Princess Kate attended a pasta making class (Image: Ian Vogler \/ Daily Mirror)<\/p>\n

Princess Kate rounded off her two-day Italian visit with a hands-on pasta making class, marking her final engagement in the country. The Princess of Wales had arrived in the northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia on Wednesday for a ‘fact-finding mission’ to support her dedicated early years initiative.<\/p>\n

For her concluding appearance, Kate<\/a> visited Agriturismo Al Vigneto<\/a>, a picturesque vineyard and farmhouse, to reflect on her Italian experiences and celebrate the importance of intergenerational bonds. She joined the Al Vigneto team in crafting tortelli, a traditional pasta dish native to the Emilia-Romagna region, in preparation for lunch.<\/p>\n

Kate’s culinary prowess impressed onlookers, with compliments suggesting she had the makings of an Italian pasta chef. Chef Ivan Lampredi lauded the princess as she embraced the role of ‘Rezdora’ – a local term for a matriarch or housewife renowned for her skill in hand-rolling fresh pasta. It comes as Meghan Markle announces a Europe trip of her own<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The future queen mixed flour, oil, salt and water in a large bowl, quipping: “When I do this at home it’s without a big bowl and it goes everywhere.” She also joked: “It’s a good work-out.” As she fed her pasta through the machine, she laughed when the handle unexpectedly came loose, asking: “Is there a technique for this?”<\/p>\n

Kate then carefully piped a filling of fresh ricotta, spinach and parmesan cheese onto her pasta sheet, using a specialized tool to crimp the edges. Signor Lampredi, a chef with 30 years of experience, gave her the ultimate compliment: “You are hired.” He continued, “I have shown many people how to do this exactly right and she was very good at it. She is a natural Rezdora. She learnt it very quickly. She was a very easy person to speak to, someone just like us. It has been a huge honour for me to host the princess in my kitchen. I can’t believe it. It’s been a big responsibility.”<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

She visited Italy (Image: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

The princess’s visit also provided an opportunity to connect with local families and observe how traditions and principles are transmitted across generations. Several individuals Catherine had encountered during her two-day trip accompanied her at this concluding segment of her tour, representing the Loris Malaguzzi centre for early years education, various nurseries, and the municipality of Reggio Emilia, reports the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Officials revealed that Catherine wished to personally express her gratitude for their warmth and hospitality, while recognizing their contribution to maintaining a culture of compassion. The group gathered for a meal featuring regional specialties such as charcuterie, fried tart, Parma ham and parmesan cheese, accompanied by Lambrusco and Malvasia white wine.<\/p>\n

The farm-stay proprietor had arranged an outdoor dining table on the grass, offering breathtaking vistas across an expansive valley. Catherine remarked, “It’s so beautiful here. Thank you for having me. It’s a wonderful view.” Carla Nironi, 86, who worked for the founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach and spoke with the princess during lunch, shared her thoughts: “She is a wonderful person. If I think about the other members of the royal family, I think Catherine is a step ahead of them. If she was to become queen, she would be the greatest queen on earth. She reminds me of Elizabeth II.”<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

A chef praised her pasta (Image: WireImage)<\/p>\n

As her visit concluded, Kate posted a touching message on social media: “Over the past two days in Reggio Emilia, I have seen first hand the power of nature and creativity that put human connection at the centre of a child’s world.<\/p>\n

“I have had such a deeply moving and unforgettable time here. Thank you to the people of Reggio Emilia for welcoming me into a culture of care with such warmth and generosity.<\/p>\n

“Our collective work in early childhood must be to protect and nurture the connections that form the foundations of life-long wellbeing. Grazie di cuore, C.”<\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, Princess Kate began her second day in Italy with a visit to a pre-school that emphasizes nature-based learning.<\/p>\n

Starting her morning engagements, Kate met with children and staff at the Salvador Allende pre-school to explore the ‘Reggio Emilia Approach’, which emphasizes nature’s vital role in early childhood education. The princess received a warm welcome from school staff before joining a group of young children outdoors to participate in their nature-focused activities. Kate participated in the children’s morning assembly, learning how students work together to plan their daily activities. The future queen then joined a small group of schoolchildren and their teacher on the grass, where they created drawings together.<\/p>\n

During her time in the garden, Kate was introduced to atelierista Stefano Sturloni, who has worked with the Istituzione of Preschools and Infant-toddler Centres since 1980. She carefully held a small lizard in her palm, presenting it to an enthusiastic young boy. Speaking to Stefano, the Princess observed: “In most urban areas, even in central London, we have newts like this. It’s extraordinary, if you look and spend time, you realise how close it is to you. David Attenborough says you have to be able to experience nature in order to protect it – it’s so true.”<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

She also that nature is ‘creative’ (Image: POOL\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The princess subsequently joined two young girls who were working at easels in the garden. She observed: “It’s so nice for them to be able to stop and take time. Do they enjoy painting and art and drawing?” Staff informed her this was a daily routine for the children.<\/p>\n

“And they can be far more expressive when they do things outside,” Kate noted. “Nature itself is creative and free-flowing. It’s a teacher to us in so many ways.” The Princess of Wales then examined various plants throughout the school’s garden using a magnifying glass, before taking up the triangle as captivated children looked on. Kate proceeded to participate in an art class, where she and several students shaped tree roots from clay. When a young boy shared that the Italian word for ‘roots’ is radici, she echoed it back. “I’ve learned a new word, thank you,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

During her trip, Kate wore accessories by Italian fashion brands (Image: Phil Noble\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

For today’s engagement, the princess chose to spotlight Italian fashion houses, paying tribute to her host country by selecting a sharply tailored soft beige blazer from Italian brand Blaze Milano. She complemented the look with an elegant bracelet from Milan-based jewellery brand Atelier Molayem.<\/p>\n

Salvador Allende Scuola dell’infanzia, which educates children up to age six, prioritizes outdoor learning and environmental education, featuring a garden complete with elements such as a willow tree and a bamboo forest. The visit aimed to underscore the significance of responsive, engaged caregivers and the environment as “the third teacher.”<\/p>\n

\"Kate<\/p>\n

She also visited a pre-school (Image: Samir Hussein\/WireImage)<\/p>\n

As her pre-school visit concluded, Kate gathered for a photograph with the school’s pupils and faculty, receiving flowers from numerous students and their parents, while several staff members captured selfies with the future queen. Kate was also surrounded by excited youngsters who embraced her. As she departed the school, she reflected on the value of outdoor experiences, noting: “In the digital age that we’re living in it’s difficult not to forget that we are of nature and it’s important to connect to it. It’s a way to interact with a part of ourselves that we don’t get a chance to, often, in everyday life.”<\/p>\n

Students assembled outside the building, waving Union flags as the princess made her exit before heading to her subsequent appointment. Kate proceeded to REMIDA, il Centro di Riciclaggio Creativo – Reggio Emilia’s creative resource centre – which supplies materials for pre-school facilities.<\/p>\n

\"Several<\/p>\n

She welcomed a young girl who brought her flowers upon her arrival (Image: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

Upon arrival at the facility, the princess received a warm welcome from a young girl presenting her with flowers, then ventured inside to discover how regional enterprises and the broader community champion early years education through the Reggio Emilia Approach.<\/p>\n

Throughout her time there, Kate revealed that her household embraces the environmental principles of an unexpected eco-warrior – Bob the Builder. The Princess explained how her family follows the philosophy of the beloved animated construction worker who champions waste reduction, while touring an Italian initiative that repurposes industrial excess materials. During her visit to the REMIDA center, Kate remarked with a grin: “There’s a popular character called Bob the Builder and he has a philosophy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and you embrace that here. It’s something as a mother, and I feel as a family we do a lot, is try to have at the back of our minds.”<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

The city is committed to health childhood development (Image: AP)<\/p>\n

The stop underscores the robust collaboration between the city’s educational establishments and private enterprise, demonstrating a comprehensive societal dedication to childhood development. Founded in 1996, REMIDA operates as a cultural initiative focused on sustainability, creativity, and repurposing industrial excess materials. With backing from approximately 200 businesses, the facility salvages materials otherwise headed for the trash and transforms them into resources for exploration and education for young learners.<\/p>\n

Kate touched down in Italy on Wednesday to an enthusiastic reception, as thousands of royal admirers gathered in the city’s central piazza to greet the princess with flower arrangements and enthusiastic applause. Wearing a blue Edeline Lee trouser suit upon her Italian arrival, Kate greeted supporters and accepted flowers before kneeling to interact with a cluster of schoolchildren.<\/p>\n

\"Kate<\/p>\n

Kate speaks ‘a bit of Italian’ (Image: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

The princess, who previously spent her gap year in Italy, engaged with the youngsters, displaying her proficiency in the Italian language. Kate told the children in their native tongue: “I speak a bit of Italian. What is your name? I am Catarina.” She reportedly told the Mayor of Reggio Emilia that the enthusiastic reception had made her “emotional, seeing everyone” Mayor Marco Massari then presented Kate with the Primo Tricolore – Reggio Emilia’s highest honor – in recognition of her work in early childhood development.<\/p>\n

She then sat for approximately 30 minutes with local “nonnas” – Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli, and Eletta Bertani – who shared details of their efforts to promote the Reggio Emilia approach throughout the community. The three women, all born around the beginning of World War II, are regarded as pivotal figures in establishing the program the Princess came to observe.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

She raved over her ‘inspiring day’ (Image: Phil Noble\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

The Princess of Wales later described having an “inspiring day” while learning about the Reggio Emilio approach to early childhood development during her visit to the Anna Frank school (Scuola Comunale d’Infanzia) in the city that has embraced the philosophy, where she embraced children and moved teachers to tears.<\/p>\n

After spending several hours observing children as they engaged in art activities, the princess told teacher Ms Di Benedetto: “It’s been such an inspiring day for me. To see the history, where it started, to where it is now, and to see how it’s stood the test of time. The city should be proud, you’re leading the way globally.”<\/p>\n

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