Cooking Class in Salento – Handmade Pasta & Wine Experience

Learn to Make Handmade Pasta, Enjoy Local Wines, and Feel at Home in the Heart of Puglia

If you're planning a trip to Southern Italy and are looking for a truly authentic experience, a cooking class in the heart of Salento might just be the highlight of your journey. At Cooking Love, hosted by local chef and founder Enza Pulimeno, you’ll be welcomed like family into her home — where food, tradition, and hospitality blend into an unforgettable memory.


🍝 What You’ll Learn

In our hands-on cooking class in Corigliano d’Otranto (Lecce), you’ll master the art of making handmade orecchiette and maccheroncini, two of the most iconic pasta shapes from Puglia. Using only fresh, local, and natural ingredients, you’ll discover how simplicity is the secret to authentic Italian flavor.

We’ll cook together using:

  • Whole cherry tomatoes
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh basil
  • Seasonal vegetables
  • Local cheeses

And yes, there’s even a version with maccheroni and mussels for seafood lovers!


🍷 A Taste of Salento Wines

No Italian meal is complete without wine!
Your experience includes a guided tasting of fine Salento wines, carefully selected to complement each dish. It's not just a class — it’s a full culinary journey through the traditions of Southern Italy.


🫒 A Full Meal by the Poolside

We’ll begin with a relaxing aperitivo by the pool, sipping a fresh local drink and enjoying traditional “friselle.” After preparing our pasta and tasting every dish together, we’ll finish the evening with a healthy and delicious berry tart, made with whole-grain flour, cane sugar, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh seasonal fruits.


💛 Why Guests Love Cooking Love

  • Feel like part of the family – warm, welcoming atmosphere
  • Hands-on experience – every dish is prepared together
  • Local culture & tradition – you’ll hear stories behind every recipe
  • A beautiful home setting – peaceful and scenic, with poolside moments


📍 Location

Cooking Love is located in Corigliano d’Otranto, a charming town in Salento, Puglia — just a short drive from Lecce.


🔗 Book Your Experience

Ready to live the most delicious part of your Italian holiday?
Join Enza and discover the magic of cooking, sharing, and connecting through food.

👉 Book your class now
or find us on Viator and GetYourGuide!

the orecchiette

10 March 2024
Orecchiette are a type of fresh pasta typical from Puglia, made from re-milled durum wheat flour, water and salt. The round and concave shape is similar to small ears, hence their name! With a rough surface, a thin interior and a thicker edge, they are perfect for accommodating the most varied condiments, from the classic tomato sauce and ricotta to the traditional orecchiette with turnip greens.
Appetizer before cooking class

every aperitif is an opportunity to delight the senses and share precious moments with those you love.

By Vincenza Pulimeno • 28 February 2024
The Spritz Serve it cold and enjoy it in the company of your friends! Ingredients: 60 ml of prosecco 40 ml of Aperol (or other preferred bitter liqueur) A splash of sparkling water A slice of orange Ice A gree n olive or a slice of orange for garnish (optional) Instructions: Fill a wine glass or a goblet with ice cubes halfway. Pour the prosecco into the glass. Add the Aperol. Add a splash of sparkling water to balance the taste. Gently stir the ingredients with a spoon. Garnish with a slice of orange on the rim of the glass. Add a green olive or a slice of orange for an extra presentation if desired.