Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy

Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy

Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy
5
About
Our hands-on courses for small groups (max 6) are held within a 17th century countryside mansion,Masseria Serra dell’Isola, where you will learn the majesty of the hidden Puglia, land of great and healthy food habits, ancient traditions and recipes, hedged in precious cookbooks written by the ladies of the headmistress's family, now the core of our cuisine. Recipes of the noble families and of Apulian farmers and fishers. Cook, savor, dream: an unforgettable experience!
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles23 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Mary M
Lake Oswego, OR11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
This past September, I had the privilege to spend 5 Days, with Rita and Victoria. Staying in Rita's Historic Masseria, was like staying with family, warm and welcoming! Each day we spent time shopping and preparing various authentic Puglia dishes, recipes which have been passed down through generations. Not only did I learn the necessary techniques to make proper focaccia, but also the secrets to Rita's most incredible Ragu, as well as variety of seafood dishes and handmade pasta. Rita freely shares her knowledge of the Puglia regions history, while taking me on many field trips throughout the countryside. I simply cannot express enough about the wonderful time at Cucina in Masseria! It is the most Authentic Experience to be found, by the most genuine hosts. Thank you again Rita and Victoria!!
Written 5 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jenn R
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Solo
During my trip to Puglia, I decided pretty last minute that I wanted to learn how to make some dishes from the region. I did some quick research and reached out to Rita to arrange a cooking class and stay at her Masseria. It was definitely the highlight of my time in Puglia! It started off with the easiest communication to book the class and accommodation, and ended with me never wanting to leave. Let me tell you the experience was absolutely wonderful. We spent the day cooking the most beautiful dishes, talking and laughing. We used local ingredients that we picked up that morning and the freshest seafood from the market that afternoon. We also made the best gelato I've ever had, a secret recipe I’m anxiously awaiting to make again this weekend at home. If you are looking for a cooking class to take in Puglia, this is the one, you’ll leave with a satisfied belly, a bunch of excellent recipes and a full heart. Rita and Victoria are just amazing and I can’t wait to go back!
Written 15 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rebecca H
New York City, NY49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Friends
This is an incredibly delayed review, but I knew I had to write it 6 months later because I’m still dreaming about the focaccia and ragu and other delicious food we made at the Masseria. First off, the masseria itself is beautiful. All the rooms are very large with en suite bathrooms and we had a very comfortable stay. Rita, Victoria, and all the others were extremely welcoming and genuine locals who wanted to share their food and culture. One thing that drew me to this homestay cooking program was how responsive and accommodating Rita was-we made a combination of meat and seafood dishes, plus the famous (seriously life-changing) ragu, fresh pasta, and she brought in someone to also make fresh mozzarella. Everything is so fresh, they often use ingredients grown right in the yard. We thought of a couple other things we wanted to make (eggplant parmigiana, Christmas cookies, etc) and Rita accommodated those without a problem. Many of the recipes are her family’s, we even found some from the late 1800s! I also have a lactose sensitivity and she was so kind and found lactose free cheese for me for the pizza making.

This is a serious cooking vacation, we were probably in the kitchen 6+ hours a day making lunch and dinner which I personally loved, but can be long for others who don’t cook as much...don’t worry, they give you plenty of wine. You then sit down to eat together. Be sure to try the liquors Rita makes herself post-dinner, they are amazing. You can also mix up your itinerary by exploring nearby towns-Rita took us to Alberobello and a nearby winery. Another day, she also took us to see a local artisan who makes all the terracotta dishes used in her kitchen (highly recommend). You’ll also have the chance to buy some if you want.

My brother was on the trip with me and we have made many of the dishes multiple times at home. Compared to other cooking courses I’ve taken, this one was less about strict techniques and more about learning the recipes and culture of southern Italy, which made it more laid back and allowed you to be as involved as you wanted to be in the process. One PSA: there are multiple cats on premises, so if you have an allergy or sensitivity, make sure to pack that Claritin.

In summary, this is one of the favorite vacations I’ve taken, and is an unforgettable experience if you love to cook (and eat!). Definitely mix it up with some local trips if you’re there for more than a couple days. & be sure to make the focaccia, the tiella, and the ragu!!!
Written 7 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

e w
Seattle, WA11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Solo
Great 5 day hands on cooking under the guidance of Dona Rita and Victoria. We prepared lots of regional dishes from the freshest organic ingredients. Accomodation is perfect. If you want to perfect your italian culinary skills you will not be disappointed. Bellissimo!
Written 13 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BrightonEgghead
Brighton114 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Couples
If you want to do something a little different a stay at Cucina in Masseria could be for you. We did the three day course which included all our meals plus a couple of restaurant visits and going to a farm to see mozzarella being made, visiting farmers houses and visiting both Polignano and a half day to Trulli Valley. The cookery classes are absolutely amazing and cater for all abilities. It is all conducted in a relaxed and very
friendly manner and would make anyone feel at ease. The owner Rita is absolutely charming and makes you feel totally at home as do her two lovely staff members
Floriana and Victoria. We met some great people while we were staying there and enjoyed much humour over numerous glasses of wine. The food was absolutely fabulous and just seemed to keep on coming!
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

891236503
Germany42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Solo
I stayed at Masseria Serra dell’Isola for eight days in October, 2016, and wish I could have stayed for another eight days . . . or eight months. The owner, Rita Guastamacchia, embodies the spirit of Puglia; Puglia defines Rita. She is kind, caring, full of enthusiasm, and knowledgeable both about Puglian history and culture as well as Puglian food and cooking. I will treasure memories of her gentle smile and sense of humor that guided me through my days there.

If you are looking for a five star hotel catering to tourists, please don’t book here because you will not find the excessive luxury and glitz you are seeking.

On the other hand, if you want to understand Puglia and meet people who shower you with genuine smiles and warmth, you will be happy here. You will experience a working farm, well populated with much-loved cats, that produces olives and citrus fruit. You will live in a family home filled with 400 years of memories, love, and history, eat some of the best food you will ever encounter, and meet local people who love their land and help you feel at home.

You can book at room at the Masseria, spend a few nights, and eat your breakfast and evening meal there. But if you want to experience the real Puglia, I suggest that you book some cooking lessons. This is the best way to meet the people and to learn about some of the region’s traditional recipes.

Among the highlights for me were cruising through the nearby town, Mola di Bari on a Sunday morning looking for fruit and vegetables for our evening meal. As we drove down quiet streets, Rita pointed out chairs piled with fruit and vegetables placed on the sidewalk outside homes. Rita stopped near several of these chairs and we followed her into the homes, where the dining room tables were piled high with local produce for sale. We made our selections--pumpkin, zucchini, eggplants, cicchoria, and my favorite bitter green, cima di rapa. If you are looking for direct marketing, you will never beat this method!

After a final stop at the fish market (just a few meters from the sea front) where we bought a pile of the clearest-eyed fish I’ve ever encountered and an octopus minutes out of the Adriatic, we piled back into Rita’s car and started cooking as soon as we got walked into the kitchen. Rita also took me into one of her fields, and pointed out the wild fennel and chicory, and showed me how to harvest them. We filled a large bag with enough herbs for several of the recipes she wanted to make.

That night we feasted on zucchini marinated in vinegar, eggplant Parmesan, thin bread stuffed with wild greens, roasted pumpkin with cinnamon and oregano, zuppa di pesce (fish soup) and roasted fish. There were so many dishes on the table that I lost track of everything we ate. But be assured, every mouthful was fresh, well-cooked, and bordering on divine.

Our days flew by, divided by cooking and trips with Rita to some of the towns in the region: Polignano, Conversano, Alberobello, Castel del Monte, Matera, Altamura, Trani, and Bari. Rita both drove and provided the historical background of each town to help us understand the significance of what we were seeing. Her perspective and deep knowledge of southern Italy’s history provided much depth of understanding--I so appreciate Rita’s efforts. I know she is working constantly to give her guests the best experience possible.

In summary, I brought home recipes for dishes that I have already begun to recreate in my own kitchen. Rita is generous with sharing her cooking skills and teaching how to cook dishes that have been on her family table for decades, if not centuries. if you want to experience the essence of Puglia, see the region through the eyes of someone rooted in its culture and history, and open yourself to truly enjoying life, you couldn’t find a better place than Masseria Serra dell’Isola.
Written 23 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrew K
Bromley, UK37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2016 • Friends
Rita is such a great host. We ate like kings, learned wonderful lessons and experienced an amazingly warm welcome. Rita tailored the experience to what we liked and did not like. If you want an authentic and original experience, book immediately, you won't regret it.
Written 23 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Costantino P
Miami, FL93 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Couples
Rita rocks ! Great place to learn how to cook Molese style.
This is a place to learn how the Cucina Molese needs to be done
We Love it
Written 16 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kooijmaniris
Utrecht, The Netherlands1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Couples
After extensive research we decided to take Rita's cooking class to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately this was on a saturday and there was no cooking class available on that date. Rita made an exception for us and offered her weekend to teach us the ins and outs of puglian cooking. We arrived on friday, where we stumbled upon about 20 Italians sharing a meal and Rita invited us to eat with her friends. A real Italian experience setting on a long table and eating delicious dish alter delicious dish. During the cooking class Rita kept naming dishes and asking us if we wanted to learn how to make them and as we answered "Yes" every single time we learned to make a large variety of dishes in just one day (inclusing classics like limoncello, focaccia and different types of seafood pasta). When we left, Rita even gave us an entire onion pie (the dish that since eating, features in boyfriends dreams every night) to take with us!

Summary: the great teachings, delicious food but especially Rita's welcoming character and kind heart make this a not to miss experience for everyone visiting Puglia, or even Italy.
Written 26 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Betzy267
Philadelphia, PA14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Solo
I found Queen of Chefs Italian Cooking school after doing extensive research online.

I wanted to come to Puglia to experience the region and also to learn about the foods and to learn to cook some of the dishes of the region.

I enrolled into the 6 day cookery course with homestay accommodation, that included all meals and had a combination of both cookery and daily trips to experience some of the historical and cultural aspects in the surrounding areas.

I had the Most Wonderful Experience! This was Absolutely the highlight of my trip!

I learned to cook so many delicious things with Vegetables, Meats, Pasta and learned to make all sorts of cookies and cakes. All of this is under the guidance of Rita, Vittoria and Giacomina.

Rita Guastamacchia is the owner of the cookery school and the Masseria Serra dell'Isola.
She is gracious and kind and will do anything she can possibly do, to make your cookery experience and stay, the absolute best it can be.

If you want to really learn about the food of Puglia, this is Absolutely the BEST place to come! Come here, you will be so happy!

I arrived as a stranger and left as a friend.
I can't wait to return!
Written 27 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 16
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy


Restaurants near Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy: View all restaurants near Cucina in Masseria - Homestay Cooking in Italy on Tripadvisor