Puglia with Sophie
Discover the tip of Southern Italy with Sophie!
As some of you may know, I was born and raised in Rome, but have always had a strong connection with Puglia, my father’s birthplace. I’ve spent countless summers and winters exploring this southern Italian region from top to bottom, including all of its fabulous restaurants and small artisans. Puglia is located in the very southern tip of Italy, and is one of my favorite places because it seems as if it is frozen it time—beautiful little towns, mouth-watering vegetables, cheeses, olive oil and wine, locals speaking dialect, and some of the oldest olive trees in the world.
Join me to discover the culture of Puglia through the culture of food. Here are some of the things we’ll be doing together.
Visit Local Markets
Puglia is known all over Italy for its incredibly beautiful fruit and vegetables. Depending on the season, we will be able to have a look at (and taste) produce that is only grown in this part of the world.
Not only fruits and vegetables, we will also be able to visit one of Italy’s most famous fish markets, and if you are into it, taste the fresh catch of the day right there in the market!
Hands-on cheese making class
Join me on a hilltop town on the western end of Puglia for a look inside one of the country’s best cheese shops. We will get behind the scenes and watch the owners make local cheeses such as Burrata, Mozzarella, and Ricotta. You will also be able to have a try at making some of these fresh beauties.
We will be able to taste everything you make, alongside some fresh focaccia straight out of the oven of the best bakery in town and a glass of wine.
Get inside the home of a local
Follow me deep into the alleys of the old part of town and into the home of a local family. After years and years of travelling to Puglia, my father’s birthplace, I have built relationships with some of the best home-cooks in town!
We will be able to go straight into a local’s home, have a look at what they cook, how they live, and then enjoy a meal together in their dining room.
Learn to cook the Apulian way
After having explored all the incredible ingredients Puglia has to offer, we will head into a beautiful ancient building for a hands-on cooking class in a tiny town.
Learn what makes the food in Puglia so different from the rest of Italy, as well as techniques and recipes that have been used for generations. The class will end with us all sitting together at a table enjoying wine, good food, and just taking it easy, as you do in Puglia.