Classic Italian Cooking in Sicily
On Sabbatical in 2023
Sicily is wild and beautiful island. The region surrounding Mt. Etna, in particular, is a completely unique and mesmerizing place. Colonized by Greeks almost 3000 years ago, the rich history and culture of Etna are priceless. In recent years, the winemaking of the mountain has been undergoing a renaissance, and the Etna DOC deserves pride of place in the heart of every lover of Italian wine.
Our accommodation for the week is the stunning Villa Vanisia, a spacious and beautiful property just a few miles from the eastern coast of the island, with a beautiful view of the sea. It is a short drive to both the city of Catania and Etna wineries.
Daily 3 hour cooking and wine classes will explore the cooking and wine not only of Sicily, but other Italian regions as well. Sicily is the garden of Italy, and the late summer vegetables will be the focus of our classes. Each class concludes with a shared meal and will allow for plenty of time for the discussion and fellowship that are the proper accompaniment to good food.
Our meals out will focus on small, family-run restaurants which place good, traditional cooking above mere profits. The cooking of Sicily is quite varied, reflecting the wide diversity of influences Sicily has experienced over the millennia. Traditional dishes include arancini, pasta alla norma, granita, and cannoli.
The cost of the trip is $3000, which includes accommodations, cooking classes, and restaurant meals, every major expense except for airfare. A deposit of $1000 per person is due at the time of registration, with half the balance due six months before the trip and the final balance due three months before the trip.