Lecce : Private Farm-to-Table Markt & Kochkurs von Cesarine

On February 27, I took part in a truly special cooking class dedicated to making fresh pasta, specifically orecchiette and maccheroni. The experience was unforgettable, not only because of the quality of the lesson but also due to the intimate and friendly atmosphere that defined the entire day. With only four of us in the class, the interaction among guests was spontaneous and enjoyable—an aspect that definitely contributed to the success of the experience. Our guide, Lisa, showed incredible patience in guiding us through each step and answering all our questions with care. With her reassuring and knowledgeable approach, she made every stage of the pasta-making process clear and engaging. To complete the experience, Fabio shared his deep passion for Salento wines with us, leading a tasting of local labels that paired perfectly with the dishes we had prepared. This cooking class was not just an opportunity to learn how to make fresh pasta but also a chance to gain a deeper understanding of Salento’s culinary culture and traditions. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to discover the secrets of Salentine cuisine in an authentic and immersive way.

We had a blast with Lucia and her friend Paolo who helped with translation. The market visit was so much fun and we were able to see so much of the regional produce. The immersion was just fantastic. The pasta making was fun as well as the tiramisu and best of all we had it for lunch…cheers to Lucia and Paolo for an amazing and informative time…bravo salute!

This was a very wonderful and special day hosted by Pierangela and her husband! We learned a lot about the local market and cousins. We had many appetizers, homemade the local pasta and lamb meatball, and dessert. It was all delicious and wonderful to learn more about the culture in the area! This is a must if visiting the area!

We had e fun and educational Morning. It was a plessure to meet and cook together with Carlo and his wife. Unfurtnately the marketvisit was not as we expected it to be. The food was great but the dishes were not fully clean. And we had to return by ourselve with a taxicharge.

Absolutely incredible! Fabulous house with a beautiful garden… Our hosts were Carlo and Guisey and they were absolutely spectacular! Learned how to make gnocchi, as well as fresh pasta, the Italian way… They also ran a cute BMV and do cooking on the side. Such a great experience can’t say enough about it. Best part of our trip to Lecce!

Cesarina was fantastic. Took us to both a cheese shop where we tasted a variety of mozzarellas, then a fruit and vegetable shop where she introduced us to Pugliese produce. Afterwards we went back to her beautiful home and we made pasta, tomato sauce, a zucchini focaccia and a tort. We ended the night with a very delicious homemade Pugliese meal. Wonderful experience. Cesarina is incredibly generous and fun. A highlight of our trip.