Sicilian Pantry: Daily Traditional Sicilian Cooking Lessons in Palermo
5.0
190 Ratings
Palermo
Immerse yourself in the flavors of Sicily with daily traditional cooking lessons in Palermo. Explore the local market, learn authentic techniques, and enjoy a 4-course meal with Sicilian wines. Perfect for all cooking levels!
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Via del Noviziato, 29 - Meet near Porta Carini, the entrance to the fabulous Mercato del Capo. Head into the market to pick up anything we need for the lesson, then we walk to the air-conditioned kitchen to prepare a 4 course meal of seasonal Sicilian dishes, made up of a starter, a pasta dish, a main course and desert. Then we all sit down to enjiy what we have made with a selection of Sicilian wines, then we round things off with some coffee and homemade liquors.
What's Included
  • Market Tour
  • Lunch
  • Cookery Lesson
Meal Options

  • Panelle - freshly fried chick pea fritters, served with a squeeze of lemon, a cornerstone of Palermo street food and a favourite of everyone


  • Arancine al burro - a Palermo market street food classic, saffron flavoured rice balls filled with ham and cheese then breaded and fried

  • Carciofi fritti - fresh artichokes, cleaned then quartered, breaded and fried


  • Pasta fresca con salsa fresca - make your own southern Italian style fresh pasta, we’ll top this with some freshly made tomato sauce

  • Pasta con le sarde - a Palermitan classic, pasta with fresh sardines, wild fennel, saffron, currents and pine nuts, topped with toasted breadcrumbs

  • Involtini di carne - thin meat rolls stuffed with cheese, breadcrumbs, currants and almonds, skewered, breaded and roasted, this is a family favourite in any household

  • Pesce spada panato - slices of delicious swordfish dipped in extra-virgin olive oil and coated with breadcrumbs seasoned with fresh parsley, mint and lemon zest

  • Cannoli - the most famous Sicilian dessert, fried pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cream & garnished with candied orange peel & pistachios from Bronte


  • Cassata - THE Sicilian cake! homemade almond paste & sponge cake stuffed with sweet ricotta cream & decorated with candied fruit, a real treat!

  • Granita di mandorle - a simple and delicious frozen desert made simply with water, sugar and almonds


Additional Information

The Family Pantry of Sicily is a culinary school managed by a family and nestled in the core of Palermo’s historical district. We provide day-to-day market tours and cooking sessions focused on conventional Sicilian recipes.

We congregate in the morning at one of Palermo’s most ancient markets, pick up the necessary ingredients for our dishes, then amble over to our air-conditioned culinary classroom to whip up a four-course Sicilian feast, acquiring the skills and tips essential for replicating the meal when you get back home. Following the session, we’ll relish the fruits of our labor, complemented by a variety of Sicilian wines and finished with homemade spirits and coffee.

We firmly believe that the true representation of Sicilian gastronomy is reflected through the freshness and seasonality of its produce, so we go to great lengths to ensure we consistently present the best of what Sicily can give to our attendees.

This is an entertaining and insightful experience, recommended for culinary enthusiasts of any skill level.

We connect at 10:00 and lessons usually conclude around 15:00.

  • Not recommended for people with severe food allergies, please get in touch to let us know of any dietary requirements.
Location
Orlando
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele Orlando
I will meet you at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele Orlando at the corner with the Unicredit Bank Position: 38°07'11.0"N 13°21'09.1"E The meeting point is a 5 min walk from Teatro Massimo, go to the back of the theatre and walk straight up & to the end of Via Volturno.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(190 Ratings)
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Billandbob
Jun 8, 2024
You don’t want to miss this experience - I have taken many cooking classes and my class at The Sicilian Pantry was one of the best. Michael’s enthusiasm and concept of cooking inspired all of us. His demonstration is clear and precise, allowing students the opportunity to take part in the food preparation. His assistant adds to the fun and shared her individual grasp on the art of cooking and eating as well. In the end you won’t want to leave. A well prepared, enjoyable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
875kaneeshas
Jun 6, 2024
Amazing people and Amazing food - The Sicilian Pantry is highly recommended by me. This was a very lovely experience which started with going to the market to pick out our ingredients, to learning more about these ingredients with some history included. A great way to connect and meet new people and create a new shared experience. The food is delicious, and not complicated! Easy to replicate after learning the process. Michael is an amazing chef and teacher. Then the kitchen/pantry where we eat what we’ve prepared is a lovely experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
949alissal
Jun 5, 2024
Amazing Cooking Class in Palermo - We had an amazing time at Michaels cooking class in Palermo. We learned a lot and had some really amazing, seasonal meal. We prepared some panelle, pasta with fresh tomatoes, tuna meatballs (because tuna was in season) and some melon gello. We also enjoyed some sicilian white wine and some coffee with the food. Thank you for this experience. We can only recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Breapenn
Jun 3, 2024
La Dolce Vita - This was the best thing we did in Sicily! Michael and his assistant, Melissa, did an excellent job providing us with a fun, educational and tasty experience. From taking our group through the market to buy the ingredients for the day's meal, to the food prep and then onto actually eating the meal they were always entertaining and informative. It was much more like having a fun, casual dinner at a friend's house than a normal cooking course. It was one of our favorite activities during our time spend in Italy. We would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good food and good company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
William_p
Jun 3, 2024
La Dolce Vita - Michael and his assistant, Melissa, did an excellent job providing us with a fun, educational and tasty experience. From taking our group through the market to buy the ingredients for the day's meal, to the food prep and then onto actually eating the meal they were always entertaining and informative. It was much more like having a fun, casual dinner at a friend's house than a normal cooking course. It was one of our favorite activities during our time spend in Italy. We would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good food and good company.
Review provided by Viator
Librarygirl13
Jun 2, 2024
A Wonderful Sicilian Experience - Our time began with a trip to the market to buy the freshest of ingredients. Such a wonderful experience I wish I could replicate at home! Michael and his assistant Melissa guided us through the preparation of a typical multi course Sicilian meal. We learned much about the proper use of knives, appropriate chopping techniques, etc. while spending a few hours with a group of new friends. We laughed lots while cooking together. The meal was spectacular - chick pea fritters, handmade pasta with a tomato/basil sauce, involtini and strawberry granita all accompanied by local wines. I look forward to preparing the recipes at home to share with family and friends. It was an amazing day that was perfect end to my trip on Sicily!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbarawd7073gt
Jun 2, 2024
Fantastic experience for my granddaughter and me! - Michael is an amazing chef and a great teacher. We started by coming with him to shop at the market, where he taught us to buy things in season and what to look for. We then went to his home, where he taught us to prepare chickpea fritters, make our own pasta shells, create a simple but exquisite tomato and garlic sauce for the pasta, and create a watermelon pudding and pistachio dolce. The secondo was fresh grilled tuna with caramelized onions. It was all delicious and so much fun! His assistant was also terrific and told us lots of “grandmother rules” about Sicilian cooking. Very highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edward_g
May 28, 2024
This cooking class with Michael and Melissa, his helper was the Was the highlight of our stay in Palermo. - This was by far the best cooking class I have ever taken. Chef Michael was so organized and knowledgeable and personable. If I had known how fabulous it was going to be, I would’ve signed up for more classes. He bought only the best of ingredients at the market. And we made a four course meal, appetizer through dessert. All of the recipes were wonderful.
Review provided by Viator
Stacy_m
May 24, 2024
Interesting and Delicious - Starts with a walk through a local market, buying things for the cooking class - what you make depends on the season, so it will always be fresh. We made a wonderful meal. Interesting class with different courses. Coffee, water and wine served. A great day was had by all.
Review provided by Viator
359lizzieb
May 18, 2024
Just book it! - Michael was incredibly professional but fun. Super knowledgeable about all things cooking and Sicily. He helped us prepare a really great and delicious meal and showed us some super helpful knife skills and other cooking techniques that were far beyond a usual cooking class. You will not regret booking great food, great wine, great company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
June 2024
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