Puglia Cooking Class: Master the Art of Making Traditional Orecchiette Pasta in Trulli Surroundings

Immerse yourself in the traditions of Puglia with a cooking class in a trulli surrounded by nature. Learn the art of making orecchiette pasta and discover the secrets of our cuisine.

Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Nord Salento Tour - The experience takes place in our Trulli-house in an outside area close to our garden. Parking is close to our house, 100 meters (110 yd) by foot. The class is focused on the Orecchiette (how-to-make), the Apulian typical pasta and 2 typical recipes. We will eat all togheter our preparations in a 3 courses lunch/dinner based on seasonal products. It includes also a short historical tour about the Trulli, one of the Apulian typical buildings, where we live.

In case of bad weather, there’s a comfortable kitchen-living room, also warmed/refreshed.

Kids welcome. VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, CELIAC, LACTOSE INTOLERANT are welcome. We do not serve raw fish or milk. We provide all necessary for the class.

• Lunch is composed by an appetizer, a first course based on the self-made orecchiette with meat or vegetables sauce, second course of meat or seasonal vegetables, fruit and Italian coffee.

• Pls note that following an organic and traditional cultivation, also lunch ingredients may be different depending on the season. Please report any food requirements.

Duration: 4,5 hours, comprehensive of lunch. Children and Infant are welcome.

Meeting point GPS coordinates: 40.654596, 17.502971

What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Beverages (local red wine: Negramaro, Salice, or Primitivo)
  • Lunch
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meal Options
  • La Frisa or Acqua sala - A typical but unusual Puglia starter.
  • Orecchiette with sauce - Main alternative pasta course with plain tomato sauce, always available.
  • Brasciole or Cime di Rapa - Depending on the season, we can offer a meat sauce (Brasciole) or the vegetarian Orecchiette con Cime di rapa, a typical vegetable.
  • Vegetables and appetizers - Seasonal vegetables as contour.
  • Fruit - Seasonal and organic fruit
Additional Information

Experience our customs and uncover the roots of our culinary arts in the characteristic Apulian structures: the trulli, nestled amidst tranquil nature.

Crafting orecchiette, our traditional pasta, encompasses more than cooking; it’s a ritual involving the earth and wind, unhurried periods in the countryside gathering wild herbs, fruits, tomatoes, melon, and whatever our organic garden bears for the season. This leisurely pace mirrors that of our grandmothers, who prepared the family’s daily meals with love and care.

Back at home, we’ll use a dough board and the wind, along with flour, as the basic components to create our Orecchiette. We will discover the techniques to shape this unique pasta, learn its variations, and unveil numerous other secrets. Next, we’ll engage in preparing the meat sauce, vegetables, cheese, and everything else required for our meal. Finally, we will enjoy the fruits of our efforts, savoring every bite of our self-made dishes.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Dress code is smart casual
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian, vegan, pascatarian options are available, please advise at time of booking if required
Location
Nord Salento Tour
I will send you the position via Whatsapp, but in case of difficulties reach the cemetery of Ceglie Messapica on the SPexSS581, just outside the city. Before the cemetry, go in the tiny road called "Padula del Cimitero". Go straight on for about 200 yd till number 3 white a white gate.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(197 Ratings)
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Ornella
Aug 28, 2024
Super Simo! - It was a wonderful experience, Simona a super teacher, we talked about Italian culinary traditions in general and then continue with the preparation of the appetizer, sauces, meat and mainly of course orecchiette, he made us do a visit with a story of the trullo, and then conclude with lunch all together. Definitely Recommendation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gabriella_d
Aug 26, 2024
Back to roots - We are from Apulia but we live in Rome since years and I decide to buy this experience for my dad’s bday to give to my parents the possibility of “going back to the roots” They came back home super enthusiastic of the entire day, they were so happy and my mom found out the “mistake” that was not allowing her to make perfect orecchiette! Very recommended for national and international tourists! A special thank to Simona that welcome my parents to her beautiful trullo!
Review provided by Viator
Kristyn_m
Aug 18, 2024
Authentic Italia - This class was amazing, full of history and southern culture. Very authentic and memorable. I’ve made the recipe 3 times since my return home from Puglia. She also gave us great recommendations for ceramic shopping.
Review provided by Viator
Jordaine_m
Aug 18, 2024
Relaxed, educational, efficient and enjoyable - Simona was a wonderful host. She took the time time to get know us throughout the evening and shared her rich knowledge of the history of Puglia and cooking from feeling which made for a relaxed, informal and enjoyable class.
Review provided by Viator
Yohanbegles
Aug 17, 2024
Great experience - What an experience!!! Simona the property owner could not do better to create a very pleasant atmosphere and make this activity unforgettable. This is not just a cooking class but an incursion into local culture. The place is beautiful simple and peaceful and perfectly reflects the atmosphere of the area, simona teaches us to make the famous and delicious orrechiete without forgetting to pass on to us all her knowledge about local and Italian culture both culinary and historical and architectural. The discovery of his trullo and his explanations on this very particular architecture was rich in lessons. In short, do not hesitate, the experience is worth living. Many thanks to simona and her friend whose name I forgot (sorry for that ) for their hospitality and kindness. We will never forget that moment. Geraldine, Gauthier and Yohan
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathan_m
Aug 14, 2024
A Truly Authentic Italian Experience - This Puglia cooking class was an absolute dream! Our family, including our adventurous 2-year-old, had an unforgettable time learning the art of making orecchiette. The class was a delightful blend of culture, cuisine, and family fun. Our host was incredibly welcoming and patient, making everyone feel at ease. Even our little one was captivated by the process and had a blast trying her hand at shaping the pasta. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the heart of Puglia. The beautiful countryside setting provided the perfect backdrop for this authentic culinary experience. We loved learning about the region's traditional dishes and the secrets to creating the perfect orecchiette. The four-course meal we enjoyed at the end was simply divine! Every dish was bursting with flavour and showcased the fresh, local ingredients. The wine pairing was also excellent. We can't recommend this cooking class enough! It's a must-do for anyone visiting Puglia. If you're traveling with children, this is a fantastic activity to share together.
Review provided by Viator
Bambi2222
Aug 10, 2024
Lovely workshop at a sweet Puglian home! - Lovely family workshop in a sweet Puglian home. Such knowledge of the products used and skill on how to make pasta. We followed the course with the three of us (two adults, one 11yrs) and several lovely others from Australia, France and Germany. Lunch was delicious and we loved the hospitality!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jopo5802xh
Aug 7, 2024
Fantastic family evening - Fantastic evening and pasta making course. We went as a family of 6 and everyone loved it. Simona was a fabulous, enthusiastic and really interesting host who kept us entertained all night.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Billie_l
Aug 14, 2024
Good experience - We learnt alot about pasta and meal pairings and had a tour of a trulli house. Would have been great to have a bot more involvement with cooking not just pasta making and a take away recipe
Review provided by Viator
Inem264
Aug 15, 2024
Disappointing Experience - Not Worth the Cost - I recently participated in a cooking class with Simona while on a family holiday in Puglia, and unfortunately, the experience was far from what I expected, especially considering the positive reviews I had seen on Tripadvisor. To begin with, we had trouble finding the location as there was no sign outside to indicate where the class was being held. This added unnecessary stress right from the start. Once we arrived, the class itself was overcrowded. Our family of 8 was squeezed into a small, uncomfortable space outside, and the overall group size was 24 people—far too many for a class like this. We were seated on a cramped bench for nearly 4.5 hours, which made the experience physically uncomfortable. The Tripadvisor listing mentioned a limit on the number of participants, but that limit was clearly not enforced. The cooking area didn’t seem very clean, which made me uneasy from the start. The large group size only added to this, as we ended up handling each other's food. While everyone did wash their hands, it didn’t feel sanitary or respectful of personal boundaries. Sharing food under these circumstances made me uncomfortable. We also had to wait a long time for basic refreshments like cold water and wine. While wine, tea, and coffee were advertised, the portions provided were inadequate for the group size. The coffee wasn’t enough for everyone, and the wine tasted diluted and of poor quality. This was disappointing, especially in Italy, where I expected something more authentic. When it finally came time to taste our own pasta, the portions were insufficient, and we left still feeling hungry. Given the size of the group, it was clear that there wasn’t enough food to go around. While Simona did provide explanations, they often focused more on her opinions and less on the actual cooking techniques, which was frustrating. I would have appreciated more detailed instruction on the cooking itself rather than being told what to do without much reasoning behind it. For the price we paid, the class felt like poor value. The ingredients used were basic and cheap, and the overall experience didn’t match up to what was advertised. I left feeling disappointed and somewhat concerned about the cleanliness and handling of the food. Simona, I’m sorry to say this, but I believe there’s room for significant improvement in your class. Limiting the number of participants, ensuring a more intimate and hygienic experience, providing larger portions of refreshments, and focusing more on the cooking techniques would greatly enhance the experience. I hope this feedback helps, as I believe your class has potential, but it didn’t meet the standard I expected this time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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