Cooking School In Puglia

Puglia, in the heel of Italy, is a fascinating region, still relatively unspoiled, with great quality food, wine and olive oil. It has many affinities with ancient Greece, and everywhere we see traces of the Romans, who built the great Appian Way, linking Rome to Brindisi, the port that led to Greece and the Middle East.

It is one of the most interesting regions in Italy, and its remote position in the ‘heel’ has helped to preserve its secrets. Ruined Saracen towers line the coast – remains of an early-warning system against sixteenth-century marauding pirates, and the large, local farmhouses used to hide women, animals and harvested crops behind strong fortifications. Occasionally the walls enclosed a citrus fruit garden, small church and bread oven  and traces of drawbridges and portcullis are often found. This was part of Magna Grecia and the great secular olive trees dominate the landscape, while the sea is ever-present.

October 29 to November 4

People can fly to Brindisi from Rome or Milan. From Europe there are direct flights with Ryanair.

The week will be spent in a family owned Masseria in the countryside near Brindisi. The rooms are furnished with antiques and the elegant bathrooms have Jacuzzi tubs . However despite the luxurious touches this is a real place - a lovingly restored family home on a large working estate which provides all the organic fruit and vegetables used in the kitchen as well as olive oil, wine and honey. The emphasis is on hospitality rather than impersonal service and this is a really relaxing place to stay. The spa provides a wide range of treatments and you can enjoy a riding lesson at the stables on the estate or simply lounge by the pool if the weather is good.

The price is 1700 for 6 nights accommodation with breakfast. I will give 3 cooking lessons and a local Signora will teach us the local pasta and focaccia. There will be a wine tasting and dinner in Alberobello, and 5 other special meals. The owner will steal some time from his law practice to show us the olive harvest and frantoio and my daughter, Caroline, who lives in Puglia will be organizing some extra visits and activities.