Gender of Makers
The gender of the makers truly depends on the time period. In the Renaissance, the makers, especially to the wealthy, were largely male. The tortellini creates a significant bond in areas of Italy, particularly Emilia-Bologna, where the creation of this dumpling is seen as a tradition passed on to generations of women by their mothers. “[Tortellini] were a special treat and the filling also provided a way of putting leftovers to good use – the perfect demonstration of maternal magic… women who spent long hours making tortellini, and who passed their skills on to their daughters.” (Dickie, 296) However, this might not just be an aspect of tradition, but part of a larger societal change, “As patterns shift from the great household… the misogynistic denigration of female servants begins to lose its currency and bite. The female cook begins to prevail over the male cook… Women are said to be attentive to regional culinary values and not only to those of their birthplace… ‘Tortellini, said to be of Bologna, are eaten in broth and can be found preprepared and available for purchase, so I will tell you only how to cook them.’” (Capatti and Montanari, 240) Therefore, since the Renaissance, the gender of the makers of tortellini has been largely female and continues to be.