Chef Maurizio Vergara

Chef A Casa a Lecce

Private chef in Salento – Authentic cuisine at home

For over 15 years, I have been bringing the flavours of Salento cuisine directly to homes, villas and private events in Puglia. As a private chef in Salento, I cook for families on holiday, international guests and exclusive events, collaborating with tour operators and international companies.

My menus are created with local and seasonal ingredients, offering a true food and wine experience that combines tradition, conviviality and attention to every detail.

I offer:

Private dinners in villas

Cooking classes in Salento

Food and wine pairings

Large events with Il Pentolo, my special suspended pot for cooking under the stars.

Whether you are looking for an authentic Salento dinner, a hands-on cooking class or an unforgettable event, I will create a tailor-made experience to make your stay in Puglia unique.

Per me la cucina è....

love, passion and respect for raw materials

Ho imparato a cucinare a...

From my mom and working with chefs alongside them enriching my experiences.

Un segreto in cucina...

Top quality raw materials and km 0 of my land

I miei menu

Mediterraneo in Tavola - Mediterranean at the Table

ANTIPASTO

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Crostone di formaggio fresco e capocollo di Martina Franca - Crostone of fresh cheese and capocollo di Martina Franca

Polpo sedano e carota agrumato al lime e arancia - Octopus with celery and carrot, dressed with lime and orange

Burratina d'Andria con pomodorini confit, olio al basilico e pane croccante - Burratina d’Andria with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil oil, crispy bread

PRIMO PIATTO

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Risotto asparago, guanciale e menta - Risotto asparagus, guanciale and mint

Spaghetto salsa di peperone e polvere di Tarallo - Spaghetto bell pepper sauce and Tarallo powder

Linguine cozze e vongole (anche gluten free) - Linguine mussels and clams (also gluten free)

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Bombette di Martina Franca con caciocavallo podolico e patate a forno - Bombette di Martina Franca with caciocavallo podolico cheese and baked potatoes

Polpo leggermente scottato e purea di fave - Lightly seared octopus and fava bean puree

Involtini alla leccese al sugo di pomodoro ciliegino - Leccese-style roulades with cherry tomato sauce

DESSERT

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Frutta di stagione - Seasonal fruit

Tiramisù artigianale gluten free - Gluten free Homemade Tiramisù

Spumoncino artigianale - Homemade Spumoncino

Il Gusto della Pizzica - The Taste of Pizzica

ANTIPASTO

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Fave e cicorie - Broad beans and chicory

Pittule - Salento's Pittule

Crostone di formaggio fresco e capocollo di Martina Franca - Crostone of fresh cheese and capocollo di Martina Franca

PRIMO PIATTO

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Orecchiette al sugo e cacio ricotta - Orecchiette with sauce and cacio ricotta cheese

Parmigiana di melanzane, mozzarella e basilico (anche per vegetariano) - Eggplant, mozzarella and basil parmigiana (also for vegetarian)

Sagne n’cannulate alla ricotta forte - Sagne n'cannulate with strong ricotta cheese

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Involtini alla leccese al sugo di pomodoro ciliegino - Leccese-style roulades with cherry tomato sauce

Polpette al sugo - Meatballs with sauce

Pezzetti di manzo al sugo - Chunks of beef in gravy

DESSERT

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Piccola selezione di mignon alla pasta di mandorle (3 pz. per ospite) - Small selection of almond paste mignons (3 pcs. per guest)

Tiramisù artigianale - Homemade Tiramisu

Torta Pasticciotto - Pasticciotto Cake

Sole, Vento e Sapori - Sun, Wind and Tastes

ANTIPASTO

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Burratina d'Andria con pomodorini confit, olio al basilico e pane croccante - Burratina d’Andria with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil oil, crispy bread

Cozze al burro salato e prosecco - Mussels with salted butter and prosecco

Crostone tartare di tonno olive nere, cristalli di sale e olio Evo - Tuna tartare crostini with black olives, salt crystals, and extra virgin olive oil

PRIMO PIATTO

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Ciceri e tria - Ciceri and tria

Risotto agrumato, polvere di limone, arancia e tartare di scampi - Citrus risotto, lemon powder, orange, and scampi tartare

Orecchiette (anche Gluten Free) ai tre pomodori, stracciatella e guanciale croccante - Orecchiette (also Gluten Free) with three tomatoes, stracciatella and crunchy bacon

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Filetto di orata alla salentina (cipolla, ciliegino, basilico, origano, pinoli) - Salento-style fillet of sea bream (onion, cherry, basil, oregano, pine nuts)

Polpo leggermente scottato e purea di ceci - Lightly seared octopus and chickpea puree

Tagliata di manzo con patate al forno - Beef tagliata with baked potatoes

DESSERT

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Spumoncino artigianale - Homemade Spumoncino

Tiramisù artigianale - Homemade Tiramisu

Torta Pasticciotto - Pasticciotto Cake

Freschezza e Tradizione - Freshness and Tradition

ANTIPASTO

All inclusive

Pittule salentine - Salento Pittule

Caponata pugliese (melanzane, zucchine, peperoni, ciliegino e olive) - Apulian caponata (eggplant, zucchini, peppers, cherry and olives)

Verdure grigliate, formaggio primosale e olio Evo - Grilled vegetables, primosale cheese and Evo oil

Melanzane con menta, aglio e olio Evo - Eggplant with mint, garlic and Evo oil

PRIMO PIATTO

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Orecchiette pomodoro scattarisciato e cacio ricotta - Orecchiette with tomato scattarisciato and cacio ricotta cheese

Ciceri e tria - Ciceri and tria

Sagne n’cannulate alla ricotta forte - Sagne n'cannulate with strong ricotta cheese

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Involtini alla leccese al sugo di pomodoro ciliegino - Leccese-style roulades with cherry tomato sauce

Polpette al sugo - Meatballs with sauce

Trippa con le patate - Tripe with potatoes

DESSERT

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Tiramisù artigianale - Homemade Tiramisu

Torta Pasticciotto - Pasticciotto Cake

Spumoncino artigianale - Homemade Spumoncino

Tra Sole e Mare - Between Sun and Sea

ANTIPASTO

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Frisa d'orzo scomposta, datterino giallo e gambero rosso - Decomposed barley frisa, yellow date and red shrimp

Pepata di cozze e pane croccate - Pepata of mussels and crispy bread

Bruschetta liquida con Olio Evo - Bruschetta liquida con olio extravergine di oliva

PRIMO PIATTO

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Orecchiette con cime di rape - Orecchiette pasta with turnips

Maritati, pomodoro scattarisciato, burrata D’Andria e basilico - Maritati, scattarisciato tomato, burrata D'Andria and basil

Maccheroncini di orzo con melanzane, pomodorini e basilico - Barley macaroncini with eggplant, cherry tomatoes and basil

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Filetto di pesce spada alla Gallipolina (pomodorino, origano e basilico) - Gallipoli-style swordfish (cherry tomato, oregano and basil)

Polpo leggermente scottato e purea di ceci - Lightly seared octopus and chickpea puree

Involtini alla leccese al sugo di pomodoro ciliegino - Leccese-style roulades with cherry tomato sauce

DESSERT

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Piccola selezione di mignon (3 pz. per ospite) - Small selection of mignons (3 pcs per guest)

Torta Pasticciotto - Pasticciotto Cake

Spumoncino artigianale - Homemade Spumoncino

Onde di Gusto - Waves of Taste

ANTIPASTO

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Tartare di tonno, mango, stracciatella e gambero rosso - Tuna tartare, mango, stracciatella and red shrimp

Insalata di mare agrumata (arancia, lime, carota e sedano) - Citrusy seafood salad (orange, lime, carrot and celery)

Caprese mozzarella di bufala, pesche gialle, pomodoro ed erbe aromatiche - Caprese buffalo mozzarella, yellow peaches, tomato and herbs

PRIMO PIATTO

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Sedanini al peperoncino e gamberoni (anche gluten free) - Sedanini with chili and prawns (also gluten free)

Risotto agrumato, crumble di agrumi e tartare di scampi - Citrus risotto, citrus crumble and langoustine tartare

Spaghetti, salsa di pomodoro datterino giallo, mouse di stracciatella e gambero rosso - Spaghetti, yellow date tomato sauce, stracciatella mouse and red shrimp

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Baccala in olio cottura, erbe mediterranee, salsa di patate aromatizzate al rosmarino e rocchetto di cipolla caramellata - Cod in cooking oil, Mediterranean herbs, rosemary-flavoured potato sauce and caramelised onion roll

Filetto di tonno alla salentina (cipolla, ciliegino, basilico, origano, pinoli) - Salento-style tuna fillet (onion, cherry, basil, oregano, pine nuts)

Polpo in pignata con patate - Octopus casserole with potatoes

DESSERT

All inclusive

Fiamme e Sapori - Flames and Flavors

ANTIPASTO

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Crostone salsiccia e rape - Sausage and turnip crostone

Crostone di formaggio fresco e capocollo di Martina Franca - Crostone of fresh cheese and capocollo di Martina Franca

PRIMO PIATTO

All inclusive

Salsiccia e bombette al BBQ - Sausage and bowler hats at BBQ

Fiorentina di Scottona

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

All inclusive

Bombette di Martina Franca con caciocavallo podolico e patate a forno - Bombette di Martina Franca with caciocavallo podolico cheese and baked potatoes

Costine marinate allo yogurt con patate al forno - Yogurt marinated ribs with baked potatoes

DESSERT

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Torta Pasticciotto - Pasticciotto Cake

Spumoncino artigianale - Homemade Spumoncino

Piccola selezione di mignon alla pasta di mandorle (3 pz. per ospite) - Small selection of almond paste mignons (3 pcs. per guest)

Mare, sole e vento - Sea, sun, and wind

ANTIPASTO

Scegli 1 piatto

Burratina D'Andria con pomodorini e basilico - Burratina D'Andria with cherry tomatoes and basil

Bruschetta liquida con Olio Evo - Bruschetta liquida con olio extravergine di oliva

Cozze gratinate - Mussels gratin

PRIMO PIATTO

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Spaghetto alle cozze - Spaghetti with mussels

Orecchiette pomodoro scattarisciato e cacio ricotta - Orecchiette with tomato scattarisciato and cacio ricotta cheese

Sagne n'cannulate con sugo fresco e cacioricotta - Sagne n'cannulate with fresh sauce and cacioricotta cheese

PIATTO PRINCIPALE

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Calamari in insalata di sedano e scorza di limone - Squid in celery salad and lemon zest-

Parmigiana di melanzane - Eggplant parmigiana

Bombette di Martina Franca con caciocavallo podolico e patate a forno - Bombette di Martina Franca with caciocavallo podolico cheese and baked potatoes

DESSERT

Scegli 1 piatto

Spumoncino artigianale - Homemade Spumoncino

Tiramisù artigianale - Homemade Tiramisu

Torta Pasticciotto - Pasticciotto Cake

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Opinioni su Maurizio

4.63

•

69 servizi

Maurizio fue muy flexible a la hora de decidir el menú debido a la restricción alimentarias de algunos del grupo y la presencia de niños. Fue muy atento y responsable con comunicación constante hasta el día que se dio mi almierzo de cumpleaños. Tanto Maurizio como su acompañante nos dieron un servicio de primera, con una amabilidad y gran progecionalismo. La comida muy buena y dejaron todo limpio. La comida que nos sobró, pues las porciones eran abundantes para nuestro consumo usual, no las empacaron para conveniente almacenaje. Recomiendo mucho al Chef Maurizio.

Incredible evening, delicious food, professional service and perfect for our family of 8! Really happy to have Maurizio as a chef :)

Maurizio was fantastic. He communicated extremely well and was very accommodating. He was also punctual, clean, charming and friendly. The food wasn't incredible, but it was very nice, and overall I'd definitely recommend Maurizio.

Wonderful! Excellent dinner, the chef was very kind and engaging. He gave an excellent lesson on how to make local pasta. We would definitely book again!

Wow, what can I say, Chef Maurizio and Renato were incredible. Maurizio worked with me initially to plan the menu and was very flexible to accomodate our needs being a group of 22 people, including kids. He provided the menus before our trip and included many local Puglian dishes. We chose a sharing style menu for 3 nights and a more formal 4 course dinner for one of the nights. The service of setting the table, pouring our drinks and cleaning up meant that we could relax into the evening and enjoy ourselves and each others company. A lot of the dishes were new to us which made the experience even more special. The whole group raved about the quality of the food, some of the highlights included vegetable lasagne, eggplant parmigiana and Maurizio’s mother’s Tiaramisu but honestly, everything was incredible. Maurizio was incredibly well prepared, courteous and discreet and an absolute joy to see each evening. I couldn’t recommend Maurizio enough. Grazie Maurizio.

Maurizio did a family dinner of 4 for us at our villa nr Ostuni. It was super impressive, from quick response to the initial enquiry, openness to flexing the menu to accommodate personal preference and great communication throughout. The food itself was delightful, genuine authentic taste of Apuglia across appetisers and four courses and the outside kitchen left in a better condition than when they arrived!! Couldn’t recommend more highly!

Maurizio and Nadia were wonderful and warm. All seven courses tasted absolutely delicious, and we got to experience a true taste of Italy on our plates. Maurizio was highly professional, and the flavors were exquisite! We’re so glad we chose him out of all the chefs!!

Chef Maurizio and his wife Nadia were amazing. They came on time and left our AirBnB totally clean. The food was delicious and they even used herbs from the garden to decorate the table. Very friendly and open to questions about the menu. I highly recommend!

we had a great time!

Maurizio and his wife Nadia were delightful. Excellent meal with exceptional service. Definitely would recommend. They created a special evening for us which was much appreciated and enjoyed by all.

Chef Maurizio and his partner, Nadia, cooked and presented an amazing local dinner for our group of 8 visiting Nardó. He named his “Mother’s DNA” in the menu, so we knew we’re in for a deep local treat, and he did not disappoint. He was very accommodating with the menu, suggesting several alternatives to meet dietary preferences from some of our guests. Preparation, presentation and clean-up were all included and professionally done, and the food was delicious. We would highly recommend Chef Maurizio.

Wow. We were so impressed! Maurizio’s food made for a truly special night. He made us an authentic Apuglia seafood menu - mussels, pasta with shrimp and sea bream. Each dish was better than the next. He takes such pride in his food and the ingredients he uses. In the pasta dish, he used one of the biggest shrimp we’d ever seen! Everything was so fresh. He even ventured off course and made my dad crème brûlée for dessert, which he made for the first time because of our request, and executed it perfectly. We were so grateful to have Maurizio and his wife Nadia with us to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday. Simple, elegant cooking. That is Maurizio’s trademark. You can’t go wrong entrusting him and Nadia with your dining experience.

Chef Maurizio was outstanding. He was prepared, brought a friendly staff and the food was outstanding. The quality of everything he did was exquisite. We had a family party of 40 and he pulled it off beautifully. I highly recommend Maurizio. He will not disappoint. Great value, flexible menu and outstanding food!!

Maurizio and Nadia can only be described as a dream team. Absolutely amazing and unforgettable experience. It is very hard to explain how amazing this night was. I did this as a surprise for my girlfriend and she was completely blown away. They were very discrete, they accommodated all my needs, and they very professional. They made sure we didn’t worry about a single thing and that we just enjoyed the dinner with no stress about setup, eating, cleanup etc. The Tiramisu Chef Maurizio made was also the best one we have ever tried. I can’t wait for Chef Maurizio to cook for us again when we next visit Lecce/Puglia.

Maurizio and his wife have prepared 2 perfect meals for us and our friends, adapting perfectly to complicated dietary restrictions. They were super friendly patient and the food (and service) was delicious!!.

We hired chef Maurizio for three dinners at our villa. We had three very different menus and enjoyed each one. Portions were very generous. We really enjoyed Maurizio's reliability and autonomy. And most of all, he and Barbara left our kitchen squeeky clean every day. Overall outstanding experience both for the food itself and for the time we gained with our guests as Maurizio was cooking.

Maurizio and his wife cooked an excellent 4 course meal for myself and 9 friends while we were holidaying in Puglia. The service and food was all excellent, and it was a pleasure having them visit our airbnb and cook for us. I highly recommend this!

Chef Maurizio was amazing. He was accomodating, communicated well, and delivered a truely memorable experience for our families. The menu was outstanding and the food served was delicious and to our brief of a seafood experience. The octopus main was a stand out. Kitchen was left spotless, and our stomached fully satisfied. Thank you Chef!

We hired Maurizio Vergara to cook one main daily meal for us over a whole week at a villa we rented in Puglia, Italy. This was a special family celebration week for my wife's "big" birthday & we had all our family there (8 adults & 2 small children). Maurizio was brilliant, such a nice guy & a superb chef. He fitted in perfectly with the atmosphere of the holiday & everyone loved him, especially the 2 little 'uns. He brought an assistant with him each time he cooked, including his lovely wife, & all of them were charming too. He cooked 6 evening meals & one lunch, all delicious. The evening meals consisted of canapes, an appetiser, a pasta course, a main & a dessert, whilst the lunch was a BBQ with salads, followed by dessert. He cooked us a wide variety of seafood, meat & vegetable dishes, all beautifully presented & seriously yummy. My only complaint is that I ate too much & put on a lot of weight - but that's my fault not his! He even mixed us early evening cocktails to go with the canapes & supplied lovely wines on request to save us extra trips to the shops. He carefully itemised every item of food on a spreadsheet so that I could easily pay him for the ingredients. I found him totally trustworthy, he always arrived in plenty of time & stayed beyond what we'd have expected, doing all the washing up - a bonus! The whole family agreed that his service was one of the highlights of our holiday & I would highly recommend him.

Maurizio and his lovely wife are a great team. Food was delicious, catering to vegetarian, non vegetarian, and all culinary requirements. Fabulous food and service. Could not have asked for a better experience.

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Chef Maurizio Vergara

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Per me la cucina è....

Ho imparato a cucinare a...

Un segreto in cucina...

I miei menu

Opinioni su Maurizio

Prenotate la vostra esperienza con Maurizio