Things to do in Lecce, Puglia: The Best Cooking Classes

For the last 17 years, The Awaiting Table Cookery school has been the most praised cooking school and wine programme in all Puglia. (And now the oldest too). Located in the historical centre of Lecce, Italy--or during selected weeks throughout the year, in a castle an hour south of Lecce-- students from 59 countries have chosen us as the best way to go deeper into The Mediterranean Diet, and local, world-class wines. Our school has appeared in The London Times, Food & Travel, The LA Times, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food and Wine, as well as Chinese, Japanese, British, American and Dutch television. The owner, Silvestro Silvestori, is a nationally-certified sommelier here in Italy, as well as a wine journalist for a major international wine magazine. All classes are hands-on, fun and actively spent in two of the most beautiful kitchens in all of Italy.

We organize: gourmet tours; olive oil tastings; dinners at select restaurants. During the dinner events at select restaurants you will learn where our receipes come from, what the Mediterranean diet really means, and so much about our wines. You will learn so much about our local culture through food. Dinners take place at select restaurants in Lecce, Trani, Ostuni, Monopoli. During our gourmet tours you will visit beautiful gourmet shops with an expert in the ancient Mediterranean Diet and food (you will learn what it really means, how it works and why it is so healthy). You will learn that it is not just about what we eat but also about our lifestyle. You will learn many useful principles and tips that you can apply back home in your daily life to improve your energy and happiness. During the guided olive oil tasting, a certified olive oil taster will teach you about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and why we should use it both in our food and as a cosmetic.

Salento Cooking Adventures offers a unique cooking experience where you will get hands on with handmade pasta and pizza, only using the freshest ingredients in season. Rooftop terrace aperitivo and bottomless wine included.

Curioseety offers over 750 authentic experiences, particularly focusing on adventure, cuisine, off the beaten path tours and second cities. Highly rated tours with trusted experts come with the best price guarantee. Currently and for the past four years, customer service has been available 7 days a week.

The tourist guide in me has come of age! Over eighteen years of tales and encounters, to share the thousand souls of my land, the Salento, who live in stone, in olive trees, in authentic foods and in the rhythms of the tambourine.

Cesarine is Italy's first network of 800+ home cooks all over Italy in more than 120+ destinations. We offer food experiences all over Italy such as cooking classes, dining experiences, market and food tours.

TASTE & TRAVEL ITALY is a local DMC based on Lake Como and Puglia. Our passion is to offer unique experiences, while exploring the tastes, flavors and beauties of Italy. We support projects and activities to protect the environment.

Hi, my name is Francesco. I'm Sicilian, was born in England and lived in Germany for 30 years before relocating here to lovely Lecce in Puglia in 2017. I fell in love with this city, its beautiful baroque architecture, the culture, the people and the food and would love to help you do the same on your visit! Let me show you around MY Lecce, not where the tour guides go, but where the locals go. Let me show you places to hang out, eat, drink, shop and enjoy your stay. Look forward to meeting you!

I currently live in Lecce, I am the owner and chef of SudKitchen, a shop with a kitchen, where you can taste or buy typical products from Southern Italy and eat traditional southern Italian dishes.