About the School: M16695 Cooking and Wine School in Lecce Puglia (Apulia) Southern Italy provides authentic and tailor made gourmet and wine experiences for you to savor the Mediterranean way of life in Italy. All experiences are unique and special something you will never experience using a tourist guide book. This is due to the fact that you will get to know the region and its cuisine, wine, artisans and market with two local people from Puglia, Cinzia and Marika, who, thanks to their international experience, also speak fluent English and French.
Why this program: It is an amazing opportunity to meet the local people, do what local Italians do, savor the Mediterranean way of life. Puglia and Southern Italy are so different from other tourist destinations. It is a combination of cuisine, wine, marvelous beach and sea, relaxing countryside, and unique historical centers.
Date of the cooking courses: Classes run year round from January to December. Programs last from one day to two weeks. You can attend the pre-arranged 1 week program or ask for a shorter course (three day, one day). We also offer tailor made and private courses.
Itinerary: A typical 6day program includes: 3 cooking classes, 3 artisans / markets / winery visits, 1 whole day outing. Program can be longer.
Puglia's Cuisine: Puglia is a food and wine lover's paradise. It is home to the true Mediterranean Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, vegetables, hand-made pasta, durum wheat bread, artisan mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil. The cuisine from Puglia and Lecce is different from the typical Italian one: it is the true peasant cuisine, and it is home-based in its essence.
Puglia’s wines and extra virgin olive oil: Lecce and Puglia produce excellent extra virgin olive oils: from the very intense, to the lighter fruity taste. Puglia has more than 50 millions olive trees and the countryside is typically surrounded by millenary olive trees. Puglia wine makers pursue wines that balance sweetness, acid, alcohol content and density. The region counts 25 D.O.C. wines. Some of the most famous wines include: Negroamaro, Primitivo, Salice Salentino, Fiano, Verdeca, Malavasia, Sussumaniello, Ottavianello, Aleatico.
Cooking Classes: Cooking classes are hands-on, in English and for small groups (7-8 people max). You will be guided by two instructors through the preparation of the many different recipes, so you can receive the most personal attention. Recipes are based on the traditional home made cuisine of Puglia. We only use seasonal ingredients and recipes vary from month to month. Recipes are very healthy since ingredients are very fresh and made with ancient and artisan methods. Cooking classes also include visits to the best artisans and producers, food markets and wineries.
Weather in Puglia: Puglia has a typical Mediterranean climate. It is sunny 99% of the year. Winters are very mild: at midday temperature can be 15-20°C.
People and Partners not Attending Classes: Guests not attending classes included in this tour will be free to relax, use the free bicycles for a ride along the coast, shop in Lecce.
Location: Lecce Puglia Southern Italy. Classes can take place at the School located near Lecce, the beautiful baroque capital of Puglia with a wonderful historical center. The whole area around the School is unique, surrounded by millenary olive trees and famous wineries. On request we also organize classes at your villa. We also partner with very beautiful villas we can put you in contact with.
Accommodation: For the accommodation, we will be happy to suggest you the best boutique hotels with pools, private villas and bed and breakfasts, conveniently located to attend our courses and that best suits your budget. There will be no stress for you!
Your Hosts: The school is run by the two sisters Cinzia and Marika Rascazzo who were born in Puglia. Their Grandmother taught them all the little secrets about the Pugliese recipes. Their grandfather used to take them to the vineyard during the grape harvest and to teach them how to make the wine. After 15 years abroad (Boston, New York and London) and being exposed to the most diverse and international cultures, Cinzia decided to move back to her home town and started M16695 School. Cinzia is a professional olive oil taster, a consultant and a food and wine writer. Marika is a professional Cardiologist who also contributes to the School. Marika’s interests include: photography, travel, cooking, wine. M16695 is a way to promote the local Mediterranean cuisine and the many food and wine producers who are too small to reach the international markets. They both speak fluent English and French...and Italian of course. People attending our classes discover the authentic secrets of Southern Italy and Puglia!
At the our School, guests mingle with interesting local people, learn about the real local culture, visit the best artisans, learn about the authentic local cuisine and wines. The school approach is relaxed and friendly but very professional at the same time: guests will experience only the Best of Southern Italy.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Price will be different for guests and partners not attending the cooking classes.
- The above price does not include the accommodation. We will be happy to suggest you the best accommodations in the area according to your budget and taste (villa, B&B, hotels) so there will be no stress for you!
- We accept payments through cash, bank money transfer or Paypal. Please note that we require a Net amount, after all the fees you may have to add to make the payment.
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