Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.

Host: Francesco

Catania, Italy

USD
$124-$300 per person

Sicilian Market Tour & Cooking Class in Catania

Host offerings
  • House
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Francesco

Francesco is a Sicilian chef born and raised in Catania, with over 15 years of experience in the culinary world. He began cooking at just eight years old, inspired by a deep love for seafood and local flavors. His career took him across Europe, working in some of the best kitchens, but his passion ultimately led him back to Sicily. Today, Francesco welcomes guests into his home for hands-on cooking classes that celebrate traditional Sicilian recipes, fresh local ingredients, and the warmth of true Sicilian hospitality.

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.

In-home meal: (1-5 guests) Enjoy an authentic home-dining experience in a historic seaside villa overlooking the Gulf of Ognina - a hidden gem just beyond Catania. Francesco’s cooking is a tribute to Sicily’s rich culinary heritage, featuring ancient grains like Tumminia and Russello in time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Each ingredient tells the story of the fertile Etna region, from sun-ripened volcanic tomatoes to wild, aromatic herbs. Together, you’ll share traditional dishes such as caponata di melanzane (Sicilian eggplant stew) and pasta alla Norma topped with fresh ricotta salata. The meal concludes with classic Sicilian cannoli filled with ricotta cream and pistachios, all paired with local wines for a truly authentic and flavorful experience.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) Start your Catania cooking class with a welcome aperitif and a tour of Francesco’s historic seaside villa, offering breathtaking views over the Gulf of Ognina. Then step into Francesco’s beautiful home kitchen, complete with hand-painted ceilings and warm Sicilian charm, for a 1.5-hour hands-on cooking experience in Catania. Learn how to make traditional Sicilian pasta from scratch using ancient grains like Tumminia and Russello, along with a fresh tomato sauce and a creamy cannoli filling. As you cook together, Francesco shares expert tips, family recipes, and stories about Sicily’s rich culinary heritage. After the class, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepared paired with local Sicilian wine, right by the sea.

Whether you're a passionate foodie, a traveler seeking authentic experiences, or simply looking for the best cooking class in Catania, this experience offers a true taste of Sicily’s flavors, hospitality, and history.

Market visit: (1-5 guests) Meet Francesco at his seaside home, then enjoy a short 10-minute walk together to Catania’s iconic fish market, La Pescheria. There, you’ll dive into the vibrant world of fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and traditional Sicilian street food, while discovering the lively rhythms of local market life with your expert guide. After the market tour, return to Francesco’s home for your hands-on Sicilian cooking class. Before stepping into the kitchen, take a moment to explore his beautiful garden, where he grows over 50 varieties of aromatic herbs!

Notes: Francesco can accommodate lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets upon request, if informed in advance. Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.

Languages spoken: Italian, English

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.
  • Welcome aperitive
  • Appetizer: Caponata di melanzane (eggplant stew)
  • Main: Pasta alla Norma with fresh ricotta salata
  • Dessert: Sicilian cannoli with ricotta cream and pistachios
  • 1-2 glasses of wine per person
5ba88071 706e 47f2 a9f2 3c086ea24624

Francesco

$124-$300 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
$248 $124 $124
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$300 $160 $160
Alcohol
$0 per person
Transportation
$106 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
$248 $124 $124
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$300 $160 $160
Alcohol
$0 per person
Transportation
$106 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
9:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Francesco

Francesco is a Sicilian chef born and raised in Catania, with over 15 years of experience in the culinary world. He began cooking at just eight years old, inspired by a deep love for seafood and local flavors. His career took him across Europe, working in some of the best kitchens, but his passion ultimately led him back to Sicily. Today, Francesco welcomes guests into his home for hands-on cooking classes that celebrate traditional Sicilian recipes, fresh local ingredients, and the warmth of true Sicilian hospitality.

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.

In-home meal: (1-5 guests) Enjoy an authentic home-dining experience in a historic seaside villa overlooking the Gulf of Ognina - a hidden gem just beyond Catania. Francesco’s cooking is a tribute to Sicily’s rich culinary heritage, featuring ancient grains like Tumminia and Russello in time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Each ingredient tells the story of the fertile Etna region, from sun-ripened volcanic tomatoes to wild, aromatic herbs. Together, you’ll share traditional dishes such as caponata di melanzane (Sicilian eggplant stew) and pasta alla Norma topped with fresh ricotta salata. The meal concludes with classic Sicilian cannoli filled with ricotta cream and pistachios, all paired with local wines for a truly authentic and flavorful experience.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) Start your Catania cooking class with a welcome aperitif and a tour of Francesco’s historic seaside villa, offering breathtaking views over the Gulf of Ognina. Then step into Francesco’s beautiful home kitchen, complete with hand-painted ceilings and warm Sicilian charm, for a 1.5-hour hands-on cooking experience in Catania. Learn how to make traditional Sicilian pasta from scratch using ancient grains like Tumminia and Russello, along with a fresh tomato sauce and a creamy cannoli filling. As you cook together, Francesco shares expert tips, family recipes, and stories about Sicily’s rich culinary heritage. After the class, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepared paired with local Sicilian wine, right by the sea.

Whether you're a passionate foodie, a traveler seeking authentic experiences, or simply looking for the best cooking class in Catania, this experience offers a true taste of Sicily’s flavors, hospitality, and history.

Market visit: (1-5 guests) Meet Francesco at his seaside home, then enjoy a short 10-minute walk together to Catania’s iconic fish market, La Pescheria. There, you’ll dive into the vibrant world of fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and traditional Sicilian street food, while discovering the lively rhythms of local market life with your expert guide. After the market tour, return to Francesco’s home for your hands-on Sicilian cooking class. Before stepping into the kitchen, take a moment to explore his beautiful garden, where he grows over 50 varieties of aromatic herbs!

Notes: Francesco can accommodate lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets upon request, if informed in advance. Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.

Languages spoken: Italian, English

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.
  • Welcome aperitive
  • Appetizer: Caponata di melanzane (eggplant stew)
  • Main: Pasta alla Norma with fresh ricotta salata
  • Dessert: Sicilian cannoli with ricotta cream and pistachios
  • 1-2 glasses of wine per person
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
$248 $124 $124
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$300 $160 $160
Alcohol
$0 per person
Transportation
$106 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
$248 $124 $124
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$300 $160 $160
Alcohol
$0 per person
Transportation
$106 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
9:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
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 3% 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.