Authentic Southern Italian Cooking Class near Agropoli

Meet Nicola and Lia

Nicola enjoys sharing the food, culture and soul of the region of Cilento with travelers from around the world. The people of Cilento tend to live longer than in other parts of Italy, which they attribute to the regional cuisine and positive attitude. The food of the region of Cilento (referred to as the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet) is based on traditional aspects of the Mediterranean diet that includes fresh and regional ingredients, fruits, vegetables, seafood and extra virgin olive oil. Nicola is passionate about meeting people and helping them enjoy the region of Cilento. In his words, “Arrive as a guest and leave as a friend.” Meet a warm and inviting Italian family in the region of Campania.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience (1 - 9 guests) Join your host Nicola at his parent’s home in Santa Maria to learn to cook an authentic Italian meal. Prepare a southern Italian meal from recipes that have been passed down through generations of your host’s family. Your hands-on southern Italian cooking class involves learning to make 3 dishes made from scratch from Nicola’s mother Lia and will last about 2 hours. Start by learning to make Cilento pizza, homemade pasta like ravioli or fusilli in the Cilento style accompanied by a meat sauce and a vegetable dish. Nicola will act as your translator as his mother Lia does not speak English. You will learn to cook regional dishes that you may not find in restaurants but that are easy enough to recreate on your own. Enjoy learning about the tips and techniques involved in Southern Italian cooking and culture before you sit down at the kitchen dining table to share the meal you helped prepare with host Nicola and his parents. Your meal may include dishes such as Cilento pizza, handmade pasta in a sauce, and main of meat or fish and vegetables. Your meal will conclude with a dessert of fresh fruit or dessert and limoncello or artisanal spirits. Wine is included in the cost of your experience.

Market visit (1 - 9 guests) Nicola will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to a few local shops for your market tour. You will explore a vegetable, meat, cheese grocer and purchase a few ingredients for your cooking class. Walk through the different shops and explore with your host local and regional produce sold by his favored vendors. Your market tour will last about 30 minutes.

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