Gino's Italy: Secrets of the South - Season 1

Gino arrives, James Bond style, in Matera and explores the cave town, sampling his father's favourite drink Amaro Lucano and "Nun's Breast" cakes. Soon, he's kneading dough with a master baker and learning the secret of how to make ‘the best bread in Italy.' Next, he meets an 86 year-old grandmother who teaches him how to make the most tasty peasant food, fried lampascioni balls from hyacinth bulbs. He finishes his journey at a local farm, where senatore capelli wheat, perfect for the gluten intolerant, is grown. Here, surrounded by undulating hills on the banks of a reservoir, Gino cooks up a beef in breadcrumbs extravaganza, using an old pizza oven.

Gino travels to the fortress port of Gallipoli; famous for its raw fish consumption. Originally founded by the Greeks, the name Gallipoli means "Beautiful City" in Greek and it is now considered the melting pot of Puglia, so-called due to the many nations who have invaded its walls over the centuries. In nearby San Cataldo, Gino meets Laura, a 'mermaid' hand diver who makes her living fishing for sea creatures, and together they share a fishy breakfast out at sea. At the Gallipoli fish market, Gino samples the unusual purple headed prawn, and discovers Scapece, a preserved fish dish steeped in history. Gino cooks tiella - the Italian answer to paella, with mussels, rice and potatoes before adding some unique touches to this Puglia staple.