Ostuni: cook pasta with local family in the countryside!

Imagine stepping into a rustic Apulian country house, surrounded by endless olive groves, where you’re not just a tourist but a guest in a local family’s home. That’s exactly what this tour offers—a chance to learn traditional Italian cooking in a genuine, relaxed setting. While you might not get a full day of culinary exploration, the three-hour experience is packed with authentic flavors and heartfelt hospitality.

What we love about this tour is its intimacy and focus on handmade pasta—a true hallmark of Puglia’s culinary tradition—and the chance to harvest vegetables directly from the garden. Plus, the wine flows easily, thanks to local bottles provided during the class. A potential drawback? The meeting point is a few kilometers from Ostuni, so transportation arrangements could be an extra consideration if you’re without a car. Overall, it’s perfect for travelers craving a hands-on, authentic taste of rural Italy, especially those who appreciate good food, warm hosts, and a slow-paced, genuine experience.

Key Points

• Authentic hands-on cooking: Learn to make traditional pasta and dishes in a real family home.
• Local ingredients: Opportunity to harvest vegetables and use seasonal produce.
• Relaxed, intimate setting: Small group sizes (limited to 10) foster a friendly, personalized atmosphere.
• Includes local wine: Each participant gets a bottle of wine—Fiano white or Primitivo rosé/red—complementing your meal.
• Cultural insight: Get tips and tricks that reflect genuine Apulian culinary traditions.
• Flexible timing: Choose between a lunch or dinner session to suit your schedule.

You can check availability for your dates here:

An Overview of the Experience

This three-hour cooking class, hosted by La casa degli artisti, offers a warm welcome into a family’s countryside home just a few kilometers from Ostuni. From the outset, the focus is on creating a relaxed environment where you can truly connect with local life. The setting—surrounded by olive trees—sets the perfect tone for an authentic, unhurried experience.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu is a thoughtful reflection of regional flavors and seasonal ingredients. You’ll prepare a three-course meal: an appetizer, a main pasta dish, and a dessert.

• Appetizer: Fried sage and baked seasonal vegetables with breadcrumbs introduce you to simple yet flavorful Apulian starters. These dishes highlight the importance of herbs and vegetables in local cuisine.
• Main Course: The star is handmade orecchiette pasta, a signature of Puglia, paired with condiments that change with the seasons. Expect to learn techniques for rolling, shaping, and cooking pasta to perfect tenderness—something you’ll definitely want to replicate at home.
• Dessert: Tiramisu—a classic Italian sweet—closes the meal, providing a familiar, comforting end to your culinary journey.

Harvesting and Seasonality

Depending on the time of year, the hosts may take you out to harvest vegetables and fruits from their garden. This hands-on approach adds a layer of authenticity and makes the ingredients feel truly local—no supermarket shortcuts here. The hosts’ enthusiasm for seasonal produce offers insight into the rhythms of rural Apulian life.

The Learning Experience

Participants rave about the expertise and friendliness of the hosts, Agnese and Angela. One guest reflected, “We felt like part of their family for a few hours,” emphasizing the welcoming, homely atmosphere. The hosts share useful tricks that go beyond basic techniques, giving you a deeper appreciation for their culinary heritage.

More Great Tours Nearby

Tasting and Recipes

After the cooking, everyone sits down to enjoy the fruits of their labor, accompanied by a bottle of local wine—either Fiano white or Primitivo rosé/red, included in the price. The focus isn’t just on eating but on understanding how these dishes represent the region’s culinary soul.

At the end, you’ll receive recipes to recreate the dishes back home, making this a memorable, practical experience to share with friends and family.

Practical Details and Value

The tour costs $164.26 per person, which might seem steep at first glance, but it’s quite reasonable given the inclusion of ingredients, wine, and recipes. The small group size (maximum of 10) ensures personalized attention and a genuine atmosphere.

Transportation is not included, so if you’re without a car, you may want to consider booking the optional transfer service—an extra cost depending on your location. The meeting point is located a few kilometers from Ostuni, so planning your transport is advisable, especially if you’re staying in the historic center.

The tour offers two choices for timing: a lunch shift (11:00 am to 2:00 pm) or a dinner shift (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm), allowing flexibility for different schedules. Each session begins with a warm welcome and ends with a convivial tasting, perfect for travelers who appreciate small-group experiences with an authentic touch.

Authenticity and Cultural Value

What truly sets this experience apart is the connection to local life. Guests aren’t just watching a demonstration—they’re actively participating in a family tradition. As one reviewer mentioned, “It was very rustic and authentic,” and another noted how they felt like part of a family, not just a tourist.

The opportunity to see how seasonal ingredients are harvested and used, combined with the friendly, informal atmosphere, makes this more than a cooking class—it’s a genuine slice of Puglian life.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This experience suits travelers who are looking for more than just sightseeing—they want to engage with local culture through food and hospitality. It’s ideal for foodies, couples, or small groups seeking an intimate, memorable encounter with Italy’s culinary traditions. If you enjoy hands-on activities, rustic settings, and learning practical skills, you’ll find this tour highly rewarding.

However, if mobility is an issue or if you prefer self-guided explorations, you should consider transportation logistics carefully. Also, those with allergies or dietary restrictions should specify them at booking, as ingredients are provided by the hosts.

The Sum Up

This countryside cooking experience near Ostuni offers a rare chance to step into a local family’s kitchen and learn genuine Apulian dishes. With a focus on handmade pasta, seasonal vegetables, and simple desserts, it provides an authentic taste of regional life. The small-group setting, warm hosts, and inclusion of local wine make it a well-rounded, memorable experience that emphasizes both learning and enjoyment.

Perfect for those who want to bring a piece of Italy home—not just in souvenirs but in the recipes and memories crafted during this relaxed, heartfelt session. If you value authentic experiences, personalized attention, and a chance to connect with local traditions, this tour is well worth considering during your trip to Puglia.

FAQ

Is transportation included in the tour?
No, transportation is not included. You may need to arrange your own way to the meeting point or book the optional transfer service, which varies in cost depending on your location.

What are the available timings?
You can choose between a lunch shift (11:00 am to 2:00 pm) or a dinner shift (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm) based on your schedule.

What is included in the price?
The cost covers all cooking ingredients, materials, bottled water, and a bottle of local wine (Fiano white or Primitivo rosé/red) for every two people. You also receive recipes at the end.

How many people participate in each session?
Groups are limited to 10 participants, ensuring a friendly, personalized experience.

Can I request special dietary accommodations?
Yes, at the time of booking, you can specify any food intolerances or allergies.

What dishes will I cook?
You’ll prepare an appetizer of fried sage and baked vegetables, handmade orecchiette pasta with seasonal condiments, and a classic tiramisu for dessert.

Is this experience suitable for children or families?
While not explicitly stated, the small group and hands-on nature make it suitable for older children or families who enjoy cooking and culture.

What should I wear?
Casual, comfortable clothing suitable for kitchen work and possibly outdoor harvesting if seasonally offered.

Is alcohol served only to guests over 18?
Yes, alcoholic beverages are served only to those over 18. Non-alcoholic options such as Fanta are available.

How do reviews describe the experience?
Guests praise the warm hospitality, authenticity, and the feeling of being part of a family, with one reviewer noting, “It was very special,” and another emphasizing its rustic charm.

This cookery experience offers a truly authentic peek into Puglia’s rural culinary traditions, perfect for travelers eager to connect with local culture through food.

You can check availability for your dates here: