Mariella House

Our cooking class with Mariella was one of the highlights of our trip to Sicily. From the moment we arrived, Mariella welcomed us into her home like family. Her warmth, energy, and passion for Sicilian cuisine made the experience truly special. We loved learning about local dishes, cooking together, and hearing her stories about the region and its traditions. It felt less like a class and more like spending time with a dear friend. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Catania—it’s an authentic, memorable, and wonderful way to experience Sicilian culture.

Everything was well planned and well executed. We were given a tour of the local markets, introductions to local merchants, treated to Sicilian drinks, told about customs and history--and even learned a few phrases in Sicilian. Mariella directed us in the kitchen, and let us do as much as we seemed capable of doing; we used vegetables and fish which we bought together that morning, but of course some of the preparation was already done, so as to save time. The table was beautifully set and decorated (for Easter), and the food was, of course, delicious. The meal was truly fun, with lots of toasts, jokes, and enjoyable conversation. It is hard to imagine a better or more welcoming experience.

During our stay in Catania we had the pleasure of meeting Mariella and her family. They were welcoming people and getting to learn how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes and a dessert was the most enjoyable portion of our time spent on the island. It was not only fun to cook the meals we ate, but sharing it with good company made it even better. Be careful how much food you put on your plate because you’ll be very full by the end of the night! An important part of getting to sit down and have dinner with Mariella’s family was getting to understand Sicilian culture and life in Catania. It’s a unique place with a rich history and you can only understand that by visiting for yourself. Just make sure you show up hungry. Cincin!

Mariella meet us as if we were her's family! Very cozy space, a lot of information, tips and small details. At the same time perfect timeline and attention to all participants. We really enjoyed the class, learned a lot and had a great time!!! Thank you very much, Mariella! Ciao!❤️

We had a very authentic, plentiful, and culturally rich cooking class, with wonderful tips and products. Appetizers, starters, pasta with clams, tiramisu, we learned about wines, and typical desserts. The atmosphere was welcoming and very homey. I highly recommend it.

We loved our cooking class and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Hosted by the warm and welcoming Mariella, her husband Gino, and their friend Malene, the class felt like a delightful gathering of friends. We started with refreshing drinks—fresh strawberry puree mixed with prosecco—followed by delicious bruschetta and a selection of excellent local wines. The hands-on cooking was a highlight, as we learned to make authentic caponata and linguine with clams, both bursting with flavor. The meal concluded with a delectable dessert that perfectly capped our afternoon. The cozy home setting, fresh ingredients, and the joy of connecting with such lovely hosts made this an unforgettable culinary experience. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to immerse themselves in local culture and cuisine!

We loved the cooking class, the food was wonderful and we loved Mariella. It’s what a cooking class should be: home cooking of local cuisine in a lovely environment sprinkled with laughter and many useful tips! Thank you Mariella for opening your beautiful home and heart to share your wonderful cooking.

Mariella, nos dio una clase excepcional de cocina siciliana, nos enseñó cómo preparar pasta a la Norma y Tiramisú. Celebramos el cumpleaños de mi hija y fue una ocasión especial. Mariella y Gino nos hicieron sentir en casa desde el momento en que llegamos. La atención al detalle hizo la diferencia. Aprendimos mucho de las costumbres sicilianas y no queríamos que se acabara. Le tenia velas para cantar cumpleaños a mi hija. Sin ninguna una de las mejoras experiencias del viaje. Si tiene la oportunidad tomen la experiencia de cocina con Mariella, será el punto alto de su viaje.

We had a great time during our cooking class in Catania with Mariella. Mariella welcomed us into her beautiful home graciously with her husband Gino. We enjoyed learning how to cook traditional Sicilian pasta with dessert and enjoyed appetizers and wine with the experience. Such a unique opportunity to be welcomed into a local's home and experience both cooking and sharing a meal together. It was one of our favorite parts of our vacation! I would highly recommend to other travelers!

This is a ship-themed house, and a lovely Mariella with a smile will welcome you. The Sicilian vegetables carefully selected by her were fresh and delicious. When the lesson begins, Mariella will give you step-by-step instructions, and you can create your own original pizza by arranging as many ingredients as you like on the pizza dough she has prepared. Once it’s done, let’s all taste it! You can spend a relaxing time chatting in a friendly atmosphere and sometimes looking out at the ocean from the window. I hope everyone will enjoy their time with Mariella, who has a wonderful smile.

The pizzas we prepared (alla Norma and with pistachio) were very tasty with Sicilian grains, fresh vegetables and pistachios from Bronte. Mariella was very welcoming and the course was awesome! I highly recommend it.

If you come to Catania, come and give it a try. Because it will be a very special experience

We made pizzas with three different types of dough, including one with ancient Sicilian grains, which was super cool. The pizzas we made, like Pizza alla Norma and Pistachio Pizza, were delicious. Mariella was really welcoming and made the whole process fun and easy to follow. This class was a fantastic way to spend an evening, I highly recommend it!

During our trip to Sicily we enjoyed a fantastic afternoon, cooking at Mariella's lovely home. Mariella and Masumi welcomed us warmly and taught us how to make traditional dishes. After cooking we enjoyed the delicious meal at the table. This experience was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip.

Mariella was not only knowledgeable about the local ingredients and their history but also incredibly passionate about Sicilian cuisine. The market tour itself was a feast for the senses, with her explaining the significance of each ingredient we encountered. The culinary class that followed was the highlight of the day. We learned how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes from scratch, using the ingredients we had just purchased at the market. The best part was sitting down together to enjoy the meal we had prepared, accompanied by local wine and good conversation. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Catania who wants to explore the local food scene in a meaningful way.

She welcomed us into her beautiful home and taught us how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes. The ingredients were fresh, and her recipes were easy to follow. The meal we shared afterward was one of the best I’ve ever had. Mariella's warmth and hospitality made the experience truly unforgettable. Highly recommend!"

Mariella is not only a great cook but also an excellent teacher. She guided us through each step of making authentic Sicilian dishes, and I learned so much about the local cuisine. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and the food was delicious. This class is a must-do if you’re visiting Catania.

Perfectly orchestrated day of Sicilian cooking from start to finish so enjoyable!! Food and hosts were perfect we totally enjoyed our Sicilian cooking experience!

Her passion for cooking and sharing her culture is evident in every detail. We made several traditional dishes, and I appreciated her patience and clear instructions. The meal we enjoyed together was fantastic, and I left with new skills and recipes to try at home.

Mariella is not only a great cook but also an excellent teacher. She guided us through each step of making authentic Sicilian dishes, and I learned so much about the local cuisine. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and the food was delicious. This class is a must-do if you’re visiting Catania.

She welcomed us into her beautiful home and taught us how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes. The ingredients were fresh, and her recipes were easy to follow. The meal we shared afterward was one of the best I’ve ever had. Mariella's warmth and hospitality made the experience truly unforgettable. Highly recommend!