$76 - $180 Book Now

Sicilian Cooking Class in Catania's Historic Center

All amenities

Family Friendly
Vegetarian friendly
Japanese, Italian, English
Apartment
Cooking demonstration
home cook
Market Tour
5+ hours
Min 1, max 6 guests
Start times: 9:30am
Meet your host Mariella at Piazza Duomo and begin your Catania market tour at the city’s lively fish market, one of the most authentic local experiences in Sicily. Stroll through the bustling stalls as Mariella introduces you to her favorite vendors and helps you select the freshest fish and seasonal ingredients for your cooking class. Learn how to identify quality local produce and seafood while discovering the flavors that define traditional Sicilian cuisine. After the market visit, enjoy a leisurely walk through Catania’s historic district before returning to Mariella’s home for your hands-on Sicilian cooking class and homemade meal.
Cooking Experience
3 - 4 hours
Min 1, max 7 guests
Start times: 11:30am, 5:00pm
Mariella’s home is in the heart of Catania’s historic center, offering stunning sea views from her kitchen and just a short walk from the city’s main squares. Join her for a 3-hour hands-on Sicilian cooking class and meal in Catania and learn to prepare two authentic dishes from scratch, a main and appetizer or dessert. Depending on the season and market availability, you might make pappardelle with clams or pasta alla Norma, and eggplant Parmigiana or Caponata, or a traditional Sicilian dessert. Mariella uses only fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients and shares her family recipes along with tips and techniques for cooking a classic Italian meal. After your cooking lesson, sit down to enjoy a delicious Sicilian meal featuring an appetizer, a pasta or pizza dish, and a dessert such as ricotta-filled cannoli or biancomangiare, perfectly paired with two glasses of local Sicilian wine. This Catania cooking class is ideal for food lovers looking to experience authentic Sicilian cuisine and hands-on Italian cooking in a charming, home-based setting.
Notes

1. The cost of your experience includes two glasses of local Sicilian wine.
2. Please note this is not a pasta-making class but a Sicilian cooking class with Mariella, who uses store-bought pasta made from organically grown ancient Sicilian grains.
2. Maria speaks limited English but she will have a friend or guide present who speaks English (and Japanese).

Sample menu

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.

  • Please choose ONE menu while booking your experience:
  • Traditional Sicilian Menu: Eggplant Caponata or Parmigiana | Pasta alla Norma or Pasta with fish | Cannoli or Biancomangiare,
  • Pizza Menu: Eggplant Caponata or Parmigiana | Sicilian-style Pizza topped with pistachios, seasonal vegetables, or anchovies and olives | Cannoli or Biancomangiare.
  • Special Christmas Menu: Cauliflower Catanese style or Broccoli with red wine + Pasta alla norma or Pasta with seasonal fish + Cannoli with ricotta or Biancomangiare (milk pudding)

More about Mariella

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.

What others are saying

Oct 22, 2025
"Cooking with Mariella and her husband Gino was the highlight of our trip to Sicily! We started with a wonderful market tour where they introduced us to their favorite vendors and local specialties. Then we went to their beautiful home for a hands-on cooking class filled with laughter, great music, and the aromas of amazing Sicilian food. We cooked in their lovely kitchen and on their balcony with incredible views of Catania. Mariella easily accommodated my allium allergy without losing any flavor and shared great tips we can use at home. It was perfect for both of us—one experienced cook and one new to cooking—and we both learned so much. Mariella and Gino are warm, knowledgeable, and make you feel instantly at home. Truly a must-do in Sicily!"
Carla
Oct 19, 2025
"Mariella and her husband Gino are gracious and generous hosts. From the moment I arrived I felt warmly welcomed. I’m traveling alone so this was a private class for me. Her home is just a 10 minute walk from Catania Centrale train station. I speak marginal Italian and Mariella makes a great effort with English but had a lovely friend attend to help with translations. Their home is cozy and clean and they have stunning views of the sea. The food we made was beautiful and delicious. Mariella makes the experience very hands on. Her friend played photographer so I came away with fun photos and long lasting memories. I highly recommend Mariella if you’re looking for a true Sicilian cooking experience."
Pea
May 13, 2025
"The hosts were incredibly friendly, and we learned how to cook some of the most delicious foods! They were accommodating to our vegetarian diets and gave us a rich background on Sicilian cooking styles along with the recipes we followed."
Tom
Mar 05, 2025
"My mom and I did the fish market shopping and lunch. It was a beautiful, unforgettable day! Mariella and Gino are wonderful hosts. I highly recommend!"
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Cancellation

  • No worries booking: free cancellation within 24 hours of booking.
  • Cancel anytime up to 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus service fees.
  • If your experience is cancelled within 48 hours of your experience, no refund is provided.

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