No Cancel
4 ore e mezza
15 people
English, Italian
Discover the secret behind Puglia's most iconic pasta with this orecchiette cooking class, hosted in a genuine trullo house in the countryside of Ceglie Messapica, Brindisi province. In 4.5 hours of immersive experience, you'll learn to transform simple semolina and water into the perfect "little ears" that have made Pugliese cuisine famous worldwide.
Orecchiette are much more than just pasta: they represent the culinary identity of Puglia, passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Their distinctive shell-like shape, created with a skilled thumb movement, makes them perfect for catching sauces and seasonings. In this class, you'll discover the trick to creating this unique ear-shaped pasta, exactly as the real grandmothers of Salento and Valle d'Itria do.
The lesson takes place in an outdoor area near the garden of a traditional Pugliese trullo. In case of bad weather, the experience moves to the comfortable indoor kitchen-living room, heated in winter and cooled in summer. The experience also includes a brief historical tour about trulli, the UNESCO World Heritage conical buildings typical of Valle d'Itria.
With Simona Ciccarese, your local host, you'll prepare:
Traditional starter: Frisa or Acqua sala, a typical yet unusual Pugliese dish
Orecchiette: Learn the traditional technique to shape the pasta perfectly
The sauce: Both classic tomato sauce and white sauce alternatives
Main course: Brasciole (meat rolls) or Cime di Rapa, depending on season
Side dishes: Seasonal vegetables grown in Valle d'Itria
After cooking, you'll celebrate your new skills with a 3-course lunch accompanied by local wines (Negramaro, Salice, or Primitivo). A moment of conviviality where you'll taste the fruits of your labor alongside other participants, ending with organic seasonal fruit and coffee.
Small groups: Maximum 15 participants for personalized attention
Authentic cuisine: Traditional Valle d'Itria recipes, not tourist versions
Local products: Locally grown seasonal ingredients from Puglia
Unique location: A real inhabited trullo, not a tourist venue
Inclusivity: Options for vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, and lactose intolerant
Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutesRiprova
Participants: maximum 15 peopleRiprova
Languages: Italian and English
Location: Via Padula del Cimitero, Ceglie Messapica (BR), PugliaRiprova
Reach Ceglie Messapica cemetery on SP ex SS581. Before the cemetery, turn into Via Padula del Cimitero and continue for 200 meters to number 3 (white gate).
Wheelchair accessible
Child-friendly (must be accompanied)
Stroller accessible
Near public transport
Don't just eat them in restaurants – learn to make authentic Pugliese orecchiette with your own hands, in the heart of Valle d'Itria. An experience you'll take home along with the secret recipe of Pugliese grandmothers.
In an authentic trullo, with zero-kilometer products and local wines, you'll experience 4.5 hours of pure Pugliese tradition culminating in an unforgettable lunch featuring the dishes you've prepared.Riprova
It might seem complicated at first, but with Simona's patient guidance and a bit of practice, everyone manages to create perfect orecchiette by the end of the class. The trick lies in the thumb movement you'll learn step by step.
Absolutely! No cooking experience needed. Simona guides each participant through every step, from preparing the dough to the final pasta shape.
Certainly! Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. It's important to communicate your needs when booking. The menu is adapted to accommodate lactose intolerance and other dietary requirements.
Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. It's an excellent educational experience to introduce young ones to Italian culinary traditions.
The dress code is smart casual. We recommend comfortable clothing you don't mind getting slightly dusty with flour. Everything necessary to protect your clothes during preparation is provided.
You'll prepare and eat the pasta during lunch. However, having learned the technique, you can recreate orecchiette at home following the instructions learned during the class.
Yes, in bad weather the lesson moves to the indoor kitchen-living room of the trullo, equally characteristic and comfortable.
Ceglie Messapica is about 30 minutes by car from Brindisi. Public transport options include trains to Francavilla Fontana followed by a short bus ride, or you can arrange a taxi (approximately €40-50).
Member Since 2026
Italian
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