Course itinerary
This cookery short break is perfect for those who want to make the most of their holiday by learning to cook authentic three course meals in a friendly and inspiring environment with local cooks and pass lazy sunny afternoon exploring the delights of Puglia.
Spend 4 nights / 5 days with great company and in an undiscovered region where you can really kick back, relax, and learn how to live and cook like a true Italian.
You will stay in your own individual Trullo with private en-suite bathroom, a domed roof and beautiful white-washed walls inside an incredible renovated Masseria in the heart of Puglia. These traditional mushroom shaped structures line the winding streets of Puglia and are one of the most striking tourist attractions in Puglia, which create a magical feel about the place.
With over 300 days of sunshine every year, Puglia is the perfect place to soak up the sun and relax with new friends. Culinary tours and excursions between lessons are a great way to discover the real Puglia from locals and see just what the area has to offer and of course sample the renowned food and wines available in the region.
Arguably one of the best culinary regions in Italy, Puglia produces more wine and olive oil than any other region of Italy and is the third biggest producer of organic foods. You will cook using fresh organic ingredients from local producers and also the cookery school’s own farmland, so you really will gain a fantastic knowledge of where the ingredients you are cooking with have come from.
Fun and informal cookery lessons with local chefs will teach you how to cook authentic and delicious Italian recipes in an airy and rustic kitchen in the local cookery school. This cookery holiday will ignite your passion for cooking with fresh ingredients and great company, and teach you easy recipes you can take home with you and recreate with friends for years to come.
Go learn to cook in style on this authentic 4 night/5 day cooking short break and immerse yourself in Puglia’s rich culture, delicious traditional recipes, welcoming hosts and experiences that will stay with you forever.
Suitability
- Cookery breaks are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced cooks
- Minimum age 18
- Your hosts are Italian and speak a little English so all cooking classes are taught in Italian with an English translator on hand at all times both during the cooking classes and on the excursions
Travelling Solo?
- These cookery breaks make great singles holidays as there is a really social atmosphere with group dinners, lessons and organised excursions
- There are no single supplements on this holiday and you will be allocated your own private single room for no additional cost, making this cooking holiday a fantastic option for solo travellers
Cookery Break Start Days
- These short breaks run on set dates throughout the year
- The cooking breaks are for 4 nights/5 days
- All arrivals are on Friday afternoons and departures are 5 days later on Tuesday
- If you are looking for a longer break, a 1 week holiday is also on offer, please click on the ‘other courses at this school’ link to check details
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Cookery Break Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1- Friday - Arrival and welcome dinner
- You will be met at Bari or Brindisi airport for your arrival transfer
- Arrive at your unique accommodation to welcome drinks and dinner and a night of getting to know your fellow cooks
- After dinner there will be an introductory talk outlining the program and local area which will inspire you to set foot into the kitchen tomorrow
Day 2 – Saturday – First cooking lesson, visit to Alberobello, dinner
- After breakfast you’ll be taken to the cooking school to begin your first cookery lesson
- Today you’ll learn how to make Puglia’s favourite ‘ear-shaped’ Orchiette pasta, followed by stuffed Braciola and finished off with a classic Tiramisu
- After the lesson you will eat your freshly cooked dishes for lunch
- You will have an excursion to Alberobello in the afternoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its fascinating ‘Trulli’ – the quaint dome shaped houses unique to Puglia
- Dinner will be served at a popular local restaurant offering simple but delicious home cooked Italian food
Day 3 – Sunday – Savelletri seafood market, free time in Polignano al Mare, dinner
- After breakfast you will visit Savelletri, a picturesque fishing port near Fasano, and explore the bustling local seafood and fish market
- Lunch will be served at the cookery school, before heading to Polignano
- This enchanting seaside town is situated on top of limestone cliffs has restaurants remarkably built into the caves
- You will have several hours of free time to amble through the winding roads and medieval buildings, stopping at shops and bars along the way
- Dinner tonight will be at a seafood restaurant with stunning views of the sea, where you will be served fish freshly caught that day
Day 4 – Monday – Second cooking lesson, wine museum tour and tasting, dinner
- After breakfast it’s time to return to the kitchen for your second hands-on cooking lesson to make your delicious lunch
- The dishes you will learn to make today include Cavatelli al Frutti di Mare and mixed fried fish, finishing off with a heavenly dessert of lemon tart
- Relax with the group over your freshly prepared lunch
- Puglia is the sixth biggest wine-making region in the world so this afternoon you will head to the local wine museum for a guided tour and an opportunity to taste the local primitivo wines and see just what makes them so popular
- A group dinner will be served at the Masseria using fresh organic produce from the farm on the site
Day 5 – Tuesday – Departure day
- After a leisurely breakfast you will check out and take your departure transfer to the airport, taking with you many happy memories and delicious recipes to try out on your return
About Your Cooks
- You will be taught to cook by Maria and Zina, local ladies whose traditional cooking techniques have been passed down to them through the generations
- Their knowledge of good food and traditional recipes are endless and they are patient and passionate teachers
- Expect lots of fun and laughter in the kitchen with Maria and Zina in this traditional cooking environment
- Maria and Zina love to share the wonderful cuisine Puglia has to offer with students and you will not be disappointed by their knowledge and passion
What Will I Learn?
- Your week will build on your cooking skills with the aim of teaching you how to create simple and authentic Italian recipes that you can take back home with you and easily recreate
- You’ll learn how to make many three course meals which are perfect for dinner parties
- You’ll learn where the food you will be cooking with has come from through a number of visits and excursions
- Wine tasting at a local wine museum
- You’ll make a variety of pasta dishes from scratch
- Fish and seafood cooking
- During your holiday you’ll prepare traditional desserts and tarts
- The style of food will be classic Italian dishes as well as local delicacies to Puglia
Sample Menus
Dishes vary according to the season and what food is available but may include:
- Orchiette (small ear shaped pasta with Ragu sauce)
- Braciola (stuffed meat slices)
- Tiramisu
- Cavatelli al Frutti di Mare
- Frittura mista di pesce (mixed fried fish)
- Torta al limone (lemon tart)
- Please note that if you do have dietary requirements (including vegetarians), this must be mentioned in ‘special requests’ at the time of booking and your hosts will try their best to accommodate this.
The ‘Trullo’ Accommodation
- You’ll stay in a traditional converted farmhouse, or ‘Masseria’, which is one of the oldest and most rustic in the region
- Each room is located inside a private ‘Trullo’ – a charming cone shaped structure unique to Puglia, ensuring complete peace and tranquillity during your stay
- There are 6 rooms in the Masseria which can sleep a maximum of 12 guests
- If you are travelling solo, stay in your own private single room with en-suite bathroom for no additional supplement
- Rooms are decorated in a rustic style with stone features and whitewashed walls
- Rooms all have private bathrooms, televisions and heating for winter months
- The Masseria has a spacious breakfast room and a sunny terrace which is perfect for eating outside or simply relaxing and absorbing the beautiful views
- The Masseria has over 3000 square metres of private secluded land, which your hosts produce their own ricotta cheese and wine from
- Accommodation is included for 4 nights / 5 days
- Check in is at 4pm and check out is at midday but is flexible
Meals
- Breakfast is included daily
- Three lunches on days 2, 3 and 4 are provided
- Dinner is included each evening with wine and soft drinks
- You will enjoy all of the dishes you cook during your cookery lessons through the week for lunch as well as meals in local restaurants and the cookery school
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking
Free Time In Italy
- This Italian cookery break is crammed full with culinary excursions and cookery lessons, but you will have time to explore the local area and the beaches are only 15 minutes’ drive away if you would like some beach time
- Your hosts will give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the area such as the local markets, walks, sights, golf, horse riding and more
Go learn to cook delicious authentic Italian dishes using organic ingredients, explore the local area on culinary based expeditions and discover the best that Puglia has to offer on this organic cookery short break.