Host offerings
Mariella was born and raised in Catania, and after working in the confectionery and gift sector for 35 years, she has now decided to dedicate herself to her family and to cooking. She is so excited to share her passion for food with travelers visiting Italy, who are curious to learn about the culture through food. At Mariella’s home you will get glimpse into Sicilian cuisine, an expression of art influenced by the historical, cultural and religious events that have taken place over centuries on the island. From the Greeks - with their passion for fish, olives and pistachios, to the Romans - with their cultivation of wheat and grapes and to the Arabs - for introducing couscous. Gastronomy has always been an integral part of the Sicilian identity and through this experience you will learn all about the local ingredients, cooking techniques, cultural traditions and family recipes.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Cooking experience (1 - 6 guests) Mariella’s home is located in the historic center of Catania, with beautiful sea views from her kitchen. It is walking distance from the main squares in the historic center. During your 3-hour Sicilian cooking class in Catania, learn to prepare two dishes from scratch. Your Catania cooking lesson will be hands-on, and you will cook together a pasta dish and an appetizer or a dessert. You might learn to cook linguine with mussels or spaghetti with cuttlefish or pappardelle with clams or pasta alla norma and aubergine parmigiana or caponata or dessert. The dishes you will prepare will depend on the season and what is available in the market, as Mariella likes to use fresh, local and seasonal produce. She will share her family recipes and the tips and tricks to cook a traditional Italian meal, that you will later enjoy with some local Sicilian wine.
Market visit (1 - 6 guests) Meet Mariella at Piazza Duomo and then walk to the neighborhood fish market in Catania. Visit Mariella's favorite vendors and help her buy fish and other ingredients needed for your cooking class. She will introduce you to the local ingredients and also teach you how to choose fresh produce. After the market tour walk through the historic district before getting back to Mariella's home for your cooking class and meal experience.
Notes: Maria speaks limited English but she will have a friend or guide present who can speak English, and Japanese. The cost of your experience includes two glasses of local Sicilian wine.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffacc07f160>
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $130 | $76 | $76 |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | $180 | $106 | $106 |
| Alcohol | $0 per person | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 11:30am - 02:30pm | 5:00pm - 08:00pm |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | 9:30am - 02:30pm |
Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.
