Sicilian cooking course and more

Our cooking workshop actually started a few weeks before when Carmen contacted us to discuss which Sicilian dishes we would like to prepare. Communication was smooth and friendly. On the day itself we were warmly welcomed at her home. We immediately got to work and she mainly put our two teenage daughters to work. Before we sat down, we were offered an aperitif on the terrace. The food was super tasty and we even ate it the next day. Our daughters went straight home to make the pasta with pesto again. Carmen told us that we were her first Belgian guests. Come on Burgundian Belgians, we like to eat and cook, she is the right place to learn to cook Sicilian!

The cooking class was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip. Carmen is warm and attentive, always taking our preferences into account. During the optional market tour, she had a friendly rapport with the local vendors, which made the experience all the more engaging. She clearly explained the characteristics of each ingredient, helped us choose the dishes we wanted to prepare, and guided us in selecting the right ingredients—along with a few delicious tastings along the way. We then returned to Carmen’s beautiful home, where she taught us how to cook in her well-equipped, stylish kitchen. Her instructions were clear and easy to follow, making the experience both enjoyable and approachable. The dishes we prepared included fennel and orange salad, caponata, spaghetti with sardines, carciofi alla romana, and ricotta tiramisu. Carmen’s cooking was exceptional—on par with, if not better than, any highly rated Italian restaurant we’ve visited. Needless to say, everything we made was absolutely delicious.

+2

Carmen welcomed us into her home on Easter Sunday and could not have had a better experience having authentic Italian food! Everything was fabulous from antipasti, wine , lunch and the most delicious dessert! It’s a must if you’re in Syracuse!! What a wonderful time we had! Thank You Carmen!

Totally incredible day with Carmen. We chose the menu, spent the morning at the market seeking out and tasting produce, and then created the most amazing meal. I have never done a cooking day, and this could not have been more fun, learning, connecting and tasty. Carmen also added the 'local' element, of understanding the Syracuse and Ortigia landscape. I would very much hope to be back

The cooking class we did with Carmen was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. From the very beginning, she was thoughtful and curious about what we wanted to learn, invited us to help shape the menu, and offered inspired suggestions that fit perfectly with what we were hoping for. We absolutely loved our market tour. Sampling local produce and products, learning about different cheeses, capuliato, meats, and locally sourced seafood felt like the perfect first course. Our senses were already completely delighted before we even began cooking. Cooking in Carmen’s home was such a joy, and meeting her sweet pup, Dea, made it even more special. The techniques she taught us were both fun and genuinely educational. We made homemade cannoli (the best I’ve ever tasted!), an incredible baked eggplant and Pasta alla Norma that was truly a work of art in both flavour and presentation, and the most delicious stuffed local squid. It honestly felt like being in a proper cooking school, but with so much warmth, laughter, and heart. And the meal we shared at the end was, hands down, the very best we had during our entire time in Sicily. Carmen is a rare gem. Grazie mille!

+1

This was an absolutely wonderful experience and one of the highlights of my time in Sicily. We made arancini, stuffed calamari, and a refreshing lemon sorbet, and Carmen also prepared a beautiful orange, pomegranate, and fennel salad – everything was delicious, and I learned so much. But what made it truly special was Carmen herself. She is such a warm, kind, and genuine person that it honestly felt like cooking with family. Her passion for Sicilian food and her generosity in sharing her traditions created such a welcoming and joyful atmosphere. I would recommend this class to anyone – not just for the amazing food, but for the unforgettable experience of spending time with someone so lovely.

Great cooking class where we learned 3 dishes. My friend and I really liked being able to customize our menu and choose more traditional Sicilian recipes. Carmen was a delight and a great host. We learned about the importance of good quality ingredients.

Excellent! Carmen was very hospitable, kind and accommodating! Highly recommend! She opened her home up to us and we felt like family. This is a must do!

We really enjoyed the entire experience. Carmen is an experienced chef, explaining why and how the ingredients should be prepared and mixed together, how you know when each dish is ready, and how to store excess ingredients should you want to make another batch in the future. Each dish was delicious, with flavors we never imagined, and we made it ourselves. Many thanks to Carmen, our new friend

We had a great time cooking with Carmen. We paid extra to do a market tour with her, and she explained the local market in detail to us and walked us through several parts. We picked our menu together, and she was flexible with my wife not being a seafood lover. We had wine, appetizer, a first and second plate, and a dessert that were all delicious. She was a good teacher, very nice and friendly, and we had such a fun time cooking together.