While visiting Umbria for the Del Bianco olive oil harvest—a life-changing experience I’ll soon share in its own dedicated post—I had the joy of staying at one of the most charming hidden gems in the Assisi region: Pasta al Pesto Cooking School & B&B, owned by the incredible Chef Stefania Balducci.

This wasn’t just a stay.
It was a warm embrace from Umbria itself.

From the moment I arrived, Stefania welcomed me like an old friend returning home. Pasta al Pesto is intimate in the best possible way—a small, lovingly curated B&B where every room has character, comfort, and thoughtful touches that make you feel instantly settled.

My room was perfect: a spacious suite with a full kitchen, a private bath, and a cozy, modern design that felt effortless and elegant. And let me tell you… the bed was outstanding.

Europe, I love you—but finding a comfortable, full-sized or even king-sized bed is often a challenge. This bed? A dream. Soft, supportive, indulgent. After long days at the olive groves and vineyards, it was pure heaven. Just outside my room was a gorgeous private outdoor space where I could sip coffee, enjoy the crisp Umbrian air, and write while overlooking the countryside. It felt like my own little Italian oasis.

Stefania’s Hospitality: Where Heart Meets Home Cooking

What makes Pasta al Pesto extraordinary isn’t just the beautiful rooms—it’s Stefania. Warm, attentive, intuitive, and incredibly thoughtful, she makes you feel like you’re staying at your very own house in Italy. She ensures you have everything you need—and more. In the mornings, I prepared breakfast in my kitchen with ingredients she thoughtfully provided. It felt wonderfully immersive, like I was living in Italy rather than passing through. Stefania is one of those rare hosts who sees hospitality as an art—and her passion pours into every detail.

On my last night, I had a private cooking class with Stefania, which began with one of my favorite parts of Italian life: the farmers market.

Walking the market with her was like having a backstage pass to the flavors of Umbria.

  • She taught me how to choose the perfect porcini mushroom, explaining what to look for in texture, aroma, and color.

  • We picked plums for a rustic plum cake, the kind of simple, joyful recipe you dream of making on Sundays.

  • Bright beets for handmade beet fettuccine went into our basket next.

  • And finally, we selected pork, fennel, and an array of seasonal Italian staples, discussing how each ingredient shines when treated with respect.

I loved learning how she thinks seasonally—how Umbrian cuisine follows nature’s rhythm, not trends. It made the experience feel deeply authentic, almost meditative. Honestly, I felt like I was dreaming.

The cooking class was hands-on, relaxed, and filled with laughter. Stefania’s approach—Cucina Rustica—is all about bringing out the pure taste of fresh ingredients, a philosophy she learned from her mother and grandmothers long before she ever dreamed of teaching. Her love for tradition shines in every movement, every explanation, every recipe.

That evening, after cooking together, we sat down for dinner with members of the Del Bianco team and other guests staying at the B&B. Long table, delicious aromas, Italian laughter drifting through the air… it was the kind of night you never want to end.

Our menu was a true home-cooked Umbrian feast:

  • Fennel gratin — tender, aromatic, bubbling with flavor

  • Handmade pasta — including our beet fettuccine, vibrant and silky

  • Pork with milk and herbs — rustic, comforting, and perfectly seasoned

  • Plum cake — warm, fragrant, and beautifully simple

Each dish tasted like love. Like heritage. Like home. It reminded me why I fell in love with Italy in the first place: the connection between land, people, and food.

The Woman Behind the Magic: Chef Stefania Balducci

Stefania’s story is as inspiring as her cooking. Born and raised in the hill town of Assisi, she grew up cooking alongside her mother and grandmothers—absorbing the beauty of simple, traditional Umbrian and Tuscan cooking. Later, after studying philosophy, she realized her heart was in the kitchen—and in teaching.

Her cooking is rooted in the Slow Food movement with respect for ingredients, family tradition, and humble Italian warmth. She has taught Cucina Rustica throughout Italy and abroad—even running a successful HuisKamerRestaurant in Holland—yet she remains authentically connected to her Umbrian roots.

Her guiding philosophy:
“My way of cooking—the essence of my cooking—is about bringing out the pure taste of fresh ingredients.” And she does exactly that.

A Must-Visit Stay in Umbria

If you are traveling to Umbria—especially the Assisi area—Pasta al Pesto is truly a one-of-a-kind experience:

  • Comfortable, beautiful rooms
  • Exceptional hospitality
  • Immersive cooking classes
  • Market tours that feel like stepping into a local’s life
  •  Quiet private spaces to relax
  • And the warmth of Stefania, who makes the entire experience unforgettable

My stay here was peaceful, inspiring, delicious, and full of the kind of moments you take home with you forever. Thank you, Stefania—for opening your doors, your kitchen, and your heart. I cannot wait to return.