Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: “At Tanti Masha's”: tradition, family recipes, tourist experiences and community on Romania-Moldova Gastronomic Route

A place that delights the senses and brings to life the authentic culinary traditions of southern Moldova – the “At Tanti Masha's” Gastronomic Workshop, lies in the heart of Slobozia Mare village, in Cahul district. Here, each recipe bears the mark of history and community and visitors become part of a living story of local gastronomy.

Tanti Masha, Maria Minciuna, is the host and soul of this workshop. With patience and passion, she prepares boiled couscous in broth, tender pies, hand-ground paprika and seasonal jams, all following recipes passed down from generation to generation. The authentic taste of each dish reminds visitors that gastronomy is more than just food – it is identity and the link between generations.

But “At Tanti Masha's” is not just about tasting. The workshop provides practical sessions where tourists learn to cook alongside Maria, prepare paprika, preserves, or couscous, experiencing the joy of working together and respect for local ingredients. This experience turns the visit into an educational and cultural moment that highlights the community's work and supports local small producers.

At the same time, the workshop is part of the Romania–Moldova Cross-Border Gastronomic Route, created based on the Partnership Agreement signed between the National Tourism Office and the North-East Regional Development Agency, Romania, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, in 2023 The route promotes the shared culinary heritage and authentic tastes passed down from generation to generation, offering tourists the opportunity to discover gastronomic stories from both countries, from Moldovan villages to the heart of Romania.

The “At Tanti Masha's” workshop is also an example of positive social impact: it contributes to community’s development, supports young people and women to engage in tourism and gastronomy and keeps culinary traditions alive. With the aid of a European grant, the workshop was equipped with modern tools, while maintaining the authenticity of traditional processes, so that visitors can truly feel the taste of rural Moldova.

A visit to “At Tanti Masha's” is not just a culinary experience, but also a journey through history, culture and community. Each cooked couscous, each prepared jam, every story told by Tanti Masha reminds you that the true value of gastronomy lies in people and their stories.

For tourists seeking an authentic, educational and cultural experience, the “At Tanti Masha's” Gastronomic Workshop is an essential landmark on Moldova's tourist map and proof that gastronomy can be a bridge between generations, communities and countries.