Meet your host, Luca, at Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata in Piazza del Duomo, then take a short stroll to the bustling Catania Fish Market. This vibrant morning market is filled with local fishmongers and produce vendors, their stalls shaded by colorful umbrellas. As you wander through the market, Luca will introduce you to his favorite vendors, sharing insights about Sicilian ingredients and culinary traditions. Together, you'll select a few fresh ingredients that you'll later use in your hands-on cooking class. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of authentic Sicilian life during this one-hour guided market tour, a perfect introduction to the region’s rich food culture.
Meet your Sicilian chef Luca at his home in the heart of Catania. Kick off your Catania cooking class with a glass of prosecco as you’re introduced to the fresh, local ingredients and the rich history behind the dishes you’ll create. In this hands-on class, learn to prepare a traditional three-course Sicilian meal featuring an antipasto, homemade pasta, and a classic dessert - inspired by the flavors Luca grew up with.
Master essential culinary techniques, from cracking eggs flawlessly into a flour well to kneading pasta dough to perfection. The cooking portion lasts 1.5 hours, after which you’ll sit down to savor your handmade meal, perfectly paired with local Sicilian wine. Immerse yourself in the warmth of Sicilian hospitality and take home skills to recreate these authentic flavors in your own kitchen!
1. Unlike most Traveling Spoon experiences, this experience is not private.
2. Your host can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary requests so please inform him if you have any dietary restrictions when making your booking.
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.
Eggplant parmigiana | eggplant, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese and basilPasta con pistacchio di Bronte | fresh pasta, toasted pistachios, cooked with Sicilian bacon, seafood or cheeseSicilian cannoli or zabaglioneBorn and raised in Sicily, Luca developed a passion for food from his mother, who taught him the art of selecting and preparing fresh seafood from their local fish market. He honed his skills at culinary school before working at the Michelin-starred Cambio Restaurant in England, where he rose to sous chef. After returning to Italy, he pursued his love for hospitality as a private chef, dedicated to sharing the rich flavors and traditions of Sicilian cuisine. Today, Luca hosts guests alongside his mother in her charming apartment in Catania’s city center, just a 5-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo, offering an authentic, home-cooked experience infused with Sicilian warmth and tradition.
"Our cooking experience was perfect.
Luca was waiting for us as expected, and then gave us a tour of some local landmarks on our way to the fish market. He was born in Catania and his knowledge of the town and of Sicily is fantastic. But mixed with that, he has also travelled widely, both through his occupation as a chef and for personal reasons.
He explained everything to us really well, and was a perfect host - very friendly and always courteous. And what a wonderful way to run the cookery experience - in his childhood home, with his mum assisting with the cooking, and with his mum and fiancee sitting down with us for lunch. Sadly, we speak no Italian, but we still managed to have a round-the-table chat, with Luca as translator and many hand gestures by us.
The food was delicious. Luca was so knowledgeable about the ingredients and explained to us how to choose the best and freshest for our own cooking. The meal was one of the best we had in Sicily and it is exciting to know we can make it all again as Luca's instructions were so clear and easy to follow!
I cannot think of a better way to experience a cooking class - we would recommend this experience very highly."
"Highly, highly recommend this cooking class! Very experienced and knowledgeable chef, great tour of not only the market but also some historical sites and lookout points nearby to help us get our bearings and understand the city history. Wonderful hands on cooking class that Luca tailors to your preferences. We made pasta, 2 fish dishes and cannoli which were all delicious and great portions. Snacks and wine were provided and we ate in his family home with his mum, we felt beyond welcome! Luca also gave us lots of tips for the rest of our Sicily trip 😊"
