Lecce Home Cooking Class: Craft Orecchiette & Savor Wine

Lecce, known for its charming Baroque architecture, offers a delightful opportunity to dive into the region’s culinary traditions. A 3-hour cooking class guides participants through the art of crafting Apulian pasta, including the iconic orecchiette and maccheroni al ferretto. Overseen by a local chef, the hands-on experience culminates in a 3-course meal paired with regional wines, providing an immersive taste of Lecce’s rich gastronomic heritage. For those seeking to uncover the flavors that define this captivating corner of Italy, this class promises a truly memorable experience.

Key Points

• Hands-on cooking class in the historical heart of Lecce, focusing on traditional Apulian pasta dishes like orecchiette and maccheroni al ferretto.
• Learn pasta-making techniques from a local chef and prepare classic sauces using fresh local ingredients.
• Conclude the class with a 3-course meal featuring the handmade pastas paired with regional wines.
• Intimate group size of up to 8 guests for a personalized experience.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and no upfront payment required.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview of the Experience

Situated in the historical heart of Lecce, this 3-hour cooking class offers participants the chance to craft traditional Apulian pasta dishes under the guidance of a local chef.

Limited to just 8 guests, the intimate experience focuses on making orecchiette and maccheroni al ferretto. Participants will also create two flavorful sauces – a classic tomato and a chickpea with local veggies.

The class concludes with a 3-course meal featuring the handmade pastas, homemade bread, dessert, and local wines. Recipes and a brass ferretto tool are provided to continue the pasta-making at home.

Pricing and Reservation Details

The cooking class is priced from $108.13 per person.

Booking is easy – simply reserve now and pay later with no upfront payment required.

Cancellation is flexible, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

• Reserve your spot with no upfront payment

• Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours prior

• Pay only $108.13 per person for this authentic experience

Hands-on Cooking Class

During the 3-hour hands-on class, participants work closely with a local chef to craft two classic Puglian pasta dishes – Orecchiette and Maccheroni al Ferretto.

Under the chef’s guidance, guests learn to shape the iconic ear-shaped orecchiette by hand and create the twisted maccheroni using a brass ferretto tool.

Participants also prepare two delectable sauces – the classic fresh tomato and a savory chickpea with local vegetables.

The class culminates in a 3-course meal featuring the homemade pastas, accompanied by fine local wine and a sweet limoncello digestif, all savored in a warm, convivial atmosphere.

Prepare Orecchiette and Maccheroni Al Ferretto

As the centerpiece of the hands-on cooking class, participants learn to craft two quintessential Puglian pasta shapes – the iconic ear-shaped orecchiette and the twisted maccheroni al ferretto.

Under the guidance of a local chef, guests:

• Knead the dough and roll it out into thin sheets

• Form the orecchiette with their fingers, creating the distinctive cupped shape

• Use a brass ferretto tool to hand-roll the maccheroni al ferretto into their signature spiral form

The pastas are then paired with classic tomato and chickpea sauces, showcasing the rich flavors of Apulian cuisine.

More Great Tours Nearby

Crafting the Sauces

Alongside the homemade pasta, participants craft two distinct sauces that embody the rich flavors of Apulian cuisine.

The classic fresh tomato sauce showcases the local produce, with participants dicing ripe tomatoes, garlic, and basil.

The second sauce features chickpeas simmered with regional vegetables, creating a hearty, nutritious condiment.

Under the chef’s guidance, guests chop, sauté, and season the sauces, learning traditional techniques to capture the essence of Southern Italian cooking.

The aromas fill the air as the sauces simmer, whetting appetites for the feast to come.

Welcome Aperitif and 3-Course Meal

The cooking class begins with a welcoming aperitif featuring a selection of Salento products and the renowned Leccese Coffee.

After the aperitif, participants savor a delectable 3-course meal:

• Homemade bread and a main course featuring the freshly crafted Orecchiette and Maccheroni al Ferretto, accompanied by the two sauces they prepared – the classic fresh tomato and the chickpeas with local vegetables.

• A dessert course.

• A refreshing glass of limoncello to conclude the meal.

Throughout the experience, participants enjoy a half bottle of fine local wine per person, complementing the flavors of the homemade dishes.

Included Features and Takeaways

Along With the delightful 3-course meal, the cooking class includes several valuable takeaways for participants.

Each person receives 1/2 bottle of fine local wine to enjoy during the festivities. They also get to keep the recipes and a brass ferretto pasta tool for making fresh orecchiette at home.

The class conveniently starts with pickup under the arch of Porta Napoli in Lecce.

The class conveniently starts with pickup under the arch of Porta Napoli in Lecce, offering a seamless start to the culinary experience.

With an intimate group size of 8 or fewer, the experience offers a personal connection with the hosts and a chance to learn traditional Puglian culinary skills.

Customer Feedback and Ratings

How do past participants rate the Lecce Home Cooking Class? Based on 9 reviews, the class earns an impressive 5/5 overall rating.

Customers rave about the experience:

• Tor from Norway found the hosts enthusiastic and the learning experience fun.

• Harriet from Australia described the food as delicious and the hospitality as warm.

• Steve from the United States called it his favorite meal during a 3-week trip, praising the personal connection with the hosts.

The feedback highlights the class’s engaging instruction, delectable cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere – a winning combination for an unforgettable culinary adventure in Lecce.

The Sum Up

Experiencing Lecce’s culinary heritage through a hands-on pasta-making class is a delightful way to take in the local culture. Guests can expect to learn traditional techniques, craft iconic regional dishes, and enjoy a convivial 3-course meal paired with local wines – all under the guidance of a skilled chef. It’s a memorable highlight that allows travelers to savor the flavors of Apulia.

You can check availability for your dates here: