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Host: Mariella

Catania, Italy

USD
$159-$319 per person

Sicilian Pizza Cooking Class in Catania's Historic Center

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Mariella

Mariella was born and raised in Catania. After a 35-year career in the confectionery and gift industry, she decided to dedicate herself to her family and to sharing her lifelong passion for Sicilian cooking with travelers from around the world. She loves welcoming guests into her home and introducing them to Sicily's rich culinary traditions through authentic family recipes and warm local hospitality. At Mariella's table, you'll discover how Sicilian cuisine reflects centuries of cultural influences. From the Greeks, who introduced a love of fish, olives, and pistachios, to the Romans, who cultivated wheat and grapes, and the Arabs, who brought ingredients such as couscous, each civilization has left its mark on the island's cuisine. During your experience, you'll learn about local ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, family recipes, and the food traditions that continue to shape Sicilian life today.

What to expect

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: (1-10 guests) Join local host Mariella in the heart of Catania's historic center for a private, 3-hour hands-on Sicilian pizza cooking class and meal. From her home, which offers beautiful sea views and is just a short walk from Catania's main squares, you'll learn to prepare three authentic Sicilian dishes from scratch: traditional pizza, a seasonal appetizer and dessert. During your cooking class, you'll prepare traditional Sicilian pizza from scratch, topped with fresh seasonal ingredients. You'll also make a classic appetizer, such as eggplant Parmigiana or caponata, depending on the season and market availability and a traditional Sicilian dessert. Mariella uses only fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and shares treasured family recipes along with practical tips and techniques for recreating authentic Sicilian cuisine at home. After your cooking class, sit down to enjoy the meal you helped prepare, featuring an appetizer, homemade pizza, and a traditional dessert such as ricotta-filled cannoli or biancomangiare, paired with two glasses of local Sicilian wine. This authentic Sicilian cooking class in Catania is perfect for travelers seeking a genuine home cooking experience, local hospitality, and the flavors of Sicily.

Market visit: (1-10 guests) 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.

Notes:
1. Your experience includes two glasses of local Sicilian wine.
2. Mariella speaks limited English. To ensure a seamless experience, an English-speaking assistant (who also speaks Japanese) will be present during your class.
3. Mariella's apartment is on the seventh floor and is accessible by elevator. Please note that there is a short flight of stairs leading to the elevator, so the experience may not be suitable for wheelchair users or guests with significant mobility limitations.

Languages spoken: English, Italian, French

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.
  • Appetizer: Eggplant Caponata or Parmigiana
  • Sicilian-style Pizza topped with pistachios, seasonal vegetables, or anchovies and olives
  • Dessert: Cannoli or Biancomangiare

Traveler reviews

5.0 (5)
This cooking class at Mariella’s home was by far the highlight of our Sicily trip. From the moment we arrived, it felt like walking into a friend’s home for dinner, not a tourist activity. Mariella’s apartment is beautiful, with a gorgeous view of the sea, and everything about the evening was relaxed and genuine. It was just me, my husband, and our college-aged son (who was studying abroad for the semester) in the class, along with Mariella, her husband Gino, and their friend Marlene, which made the experience feel especially intimate. The food was INCREDIBLE, made with fresh ingredients, and Mariella was an amazing instructor. This was so much more than a cooking class. We cooked together, talked, laughed, drank wine, and shared an amazing home cooked Sicilian meal. The best part was sitting around the table afterward, eating the tiramisu we made, sipping amaro, and sharing stories. It felt like sitting around a family table on a typical Sicilian evening. I would do this class again in a heartbeat and HIGHLY recommend it to anyone visiting Catania! Thank you for a wonderful evening, Mariella, Gino and Marlene!
- ali April 16, 2026
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 October 22, 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 October 19, 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 May 13, 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!
- Mobile2 March 05, 2025

Mariella

$159-$319 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $249 $179 $159
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $319 $259 $219
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $249 $179 $159
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $319 $259 $219
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:30am-2:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-2:30pm

Meet Mariella

Mariella was born and raised in Catania. After a 35-year career in the confectionery and gift industry, she decided to dedicate herself to her family and to sharing her lifelong passion for Sicilian cooking with travelers from around the world. She loves welcoming guests into her home and introducing them to Sicily's rich culinary traditions through authentic family recipes and warm local hospitality. At Mariella's table, you'll discover how Sicilian cuisine reflects centuries of cultural influences. From the Greeks, who introduced a love of fish, olives, and pistachios, to the Romans, who cultivated wheat and grapes, and the Arabs, who brought ingredients such as couscous, each civilization has left its mark on the island's cuisine. During your experience, you'll learn about local ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, family recipes, and the food traditions that continue to shape Sicilian life today.

What to expect

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: (1-10 guests) Join local host Mariella in the heart of Catania's historic center for a private, 3-hour hands-on Sicilian pizza cooking class and meal. From her home, which offers beautiful sea views and is just a short walk from Catania's main squares, you'll learn to prepare three authentic Sicilian dishes from scratch: traditional pizza, a seasonal appetizer and dessert. During your cooking class, you'll prepare traditional Sicilian pizza from scratch, topped with fresh seasonal ingredients. You'll also make a classic appetizer, such as eggplant Parmigiana or caponata, depending on the season and market availability and a traditional Sicilian dessert. Mariella uses only fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and shares treasured family recipes along with practical tips and techniques for recreating authentic Sicilian cuisine at home. After your cooking class, sit down to enjoy the meal you helped prepare, featuring an appetizer, homemade pizza, and a traditional dessert such as ricotta-filled cannoli or biancomangiare, paired with two glasses of local Sicilian wine. This authentic Sicilian cooking class in Catania is perfect for travelers seeking a genuine home cooking experience, local hospitality, and the flavors of Sicily.

Market visit: (1-10 guests) 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.

Notes:
1. Your experience includes two glasses of local Sicilian wine.
2. Mariella speaks limited English. To ensure a seamless experience, an English-speaking assistant (who also speaks Japanese) will be present during your class.
3. Mariella's apartment is on the seventh floor and is accessible by elevator. Please note that there is a short flight of stairs leading to the elevator, so the experience may not be suitable for wheelchair users or guests with significant mobility limitations.

Languages spoken: English, Italian, French

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.
  • Appetizer: Eggplant Caponata or Parmigiana
  • Sicilian-style Pizza topped with pistachios, seasonal vegetables, or anchovies and olives
  • Dessert: Cannoli or Biancomangiare

Traveler reviews

5.0 (5)
This cooking class at Mariella’s home was by far the highlight of our Sicily trip. From the moment we arrived, it felt like walking into a friend’s home for dinner, not a tourist activity. Mariella’s apartment is beautiful, with a gorgeous view of the sea, and everything about the evening was relaxed and genuine. It was just me, my husband, and our college-aged son (who was studying abroad for the semester) in the class, along with Mariella, her husband Gino, and their friend Marlene, which made the experience feel especially intimate. The food was INCREDIBLE, made with fresh ingredients, and Mariella was an amazing instructor. This was so much more than a cooking class. We cooked together, talked, laughed, drank wine, and shared an amazing home cooked Sicilian meal. The best part was sitting around the table afterward, eating the tiramisu we made, sipping amaro, and sharing stories. It felt like sitting around a family table on a typical Sicilian evening. I would do this class again in a heartbeat and HIGHLY recommend it to anyone visiting Catania! Thank you for a wonderful evening, Mariella, Gino and Marlene!
- ali April 16, 2026
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 October 22, 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 October 19, 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 May 13, 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!
- Mobile2 March 05, 2025
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $249 $179 $159
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $319 $259 $219
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $249 $179 $159
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $319 $259 $219
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:30am-2:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-2:30pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

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.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.