Sicily · PASTA
The 15 best pasta workshops you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason; start there.
Travel from Taormina by Mercedes minivan to Savoca and Forza D'Agro, where The Godfather was filmed. Guides such as Denise, Carlos, Antonio, Orazio, and Giovanni combine movie stories with Sicilian history, followed by pasta and Etna white wine at a panoramic restaurant.
“Denise was a fabulous guide and really made everyone feel welcome. Highly recommend the tour.”
Travel from Taormina in an eight-seat Mercedes minivan with an English-speaking guide such as Antonio, Giovanni, Denise, or Valerio. Visit Forza d’Agrò, Savoca, Bar Vitelli, and Saint Lucy Church, then share homemade pasta, bruschetta, and wine in a charming Sicilian restaurant.
“Denise our guide was excellent as she was a native Sicilian and very knowledgeable of the area as well as the real story of the Mafia.”
Travel privately from Taormina with an English-speaking local guide to Savoca and Forza d’Agro, where The Godfather was filmed. Visit Bar Vitelli, old churches, and castle ruins, learn about Sicily’s Mafia and anti-Mafia fight, then enjoy a traditional lunch with sea views.
“MASSIMO was such a pleasure. So friendly, professional and knowledgeable. It was a beautiful experience”
Join Angela in her Catania home for a small-group pasta class focused on pistachio-filled ravioli. You’ll make dough, prepare the filling, shape the pasta, and sit down to a three-course meal with wine, water, coffee, and Sicilian hospitality. Angela’s son Victor may help translate.
“Angela was absolutely lovely! Welcomed us into her home with open arms, we had a good laugh and Angela was very funny. It was some of the best pasta I’ve ever had! Thank you so much Angela!”
Join Accursia and Vincenzo in their Sciacca home for a two-hour fresh pasta lesson. You will make dough by hand, shape traditional pasta, taste food from the family garden, and eat your cooked pasta. Wine is included, while shuttle service costs extra.
“Authentic and a really nice experience. Authentic and a really nice experience. Authentic and a really nice experience.”
At Towns of Italy in Palermo, chef Marcello guides you through fresh egg pasta, two pasta shapes, seasonal sauces, and a gelato demonstration. You eat the meal with wine, receive recipes and a certificate, and can add a market tour. Vegetarian options are available.
“Wonderful workshop, worked well for all the family. Marcello was a brilliant teacher and the food was delicious 😋”
Spend about three hours in a Palermo home with a Cesarina host such as Francesca, Alice, or Antonio. Make fresh pasta and tiramisu by hand, share a meal with wine and snacks, and take home recipes for three classic Italian dishes. Groups are capped at 12 people.
“Agata was an amazing host and taught us how to make some delicious pastas and Tiramisu! It was a lovely night, and I would suggest to anybody looking for a cooking class in Palermo!”
Join Francesca in her home kitchen near Bagheria for a 2.5-hour English-language class. You’ll make fettuccine, filled ravioli, seasonal sauces, and tiramisù, then sit down to eat your meal with welcome snacks and, in some cases, Sicilian wine.
“It was fun and informative and she was friendly and gave us a homey feeling. It was the best pasta I have ever eaten.”
Spend three hours in a Palermo home learning hand-rolled sfoglia, two pasta styles, and tiramisu with a Cesarine host such as Alice, Francesco, Rosa, or Gianpiero. You’ll cook, eat, and share prosecco, wine, coffee, and local food stories in English or Italian.
“Amazing experience and I was the only one in the class so I felt very tendered too. Alice and Francesco were extremely kind and accomodating.”
At Villa Palamara near Cefalù, chef Antonio guides you through a five-hour, hands-on Sicilian cooking class. Make fresh pasta alla Norma, pork braciole, stuffed zucchini, fennel-orange salad, and lemon cream, then eat it all with Sicilian wine.
“Sicilian Food Lovers was a fantastic experience for our family! We absolutely loved the menu and can’t wait to replicate the braciole, pasta, and salad at home. Antonio was a great teacher, explaining not only how to do things but why you do them that way. We would take the other classes for the arancini and caponata in a heartbeat. We cannot recommend this experience enough.”
At Mamma Corleone, near Palermo Cathedral, you will prepare homemade pasta alla Norma, meatballs with tomato sauce, and almond biscuits with a Sicilian chef. English support is available, and the class runs at lunch or dinner for a small group, with a maximum of six highlighted.
“The food was amazing. The host we’re fantastic. Even better than my mothers. Sorry rose. Must do while in Palermo.”
Join Chef Giacomo and his team for a three-hour, small-group pasta class in Palermo. You will knead dough, shape Sicilian pasta, prepare sauces, and sit down to a multi-course meal with wine or soft drinks. A market visit, vegetarian dishes, gluten-free options, recipes, an apron, and a certificate are available.
“We loved cooking with Giacomo and his daughter Sophie. We made some amazing pasta dishes, had appetisers and delicious cannolis for dessert. We also had unlimited red wine! Overall it was a fun experience and a unique opportunity to cook with an experienced chef in his own home. I’d highly recommend Giacomo if you’re looking for a Masterclass that will teach you how to make everything and get you involved in the process.”
Spend about three hours in a private Messina home learning fresh pasta from a Cesarina cook. You may make busiate, ravioli, tagliatelle, or cavatelli, then sit down to a home-cooked meal with wine and coffee. Hosts such as Daniela, Consuelo, Rossella, and Mariella are praised for warm, personal teaching.
“This was the most amazing experiences!! We were picked up and brought to our chefs house where we made pasta and bread and dessert!! I’m lactose intolerant and everything was made with my diet in mind. She was amazing with the kids and we can’t wait to try some of the dishes at home!”
Travel from Catania with a private English-speaking guide to Savoca and Forza d’Agro, the hill towns used in The Godfather. Visit Bar Vitelli, movie churches, and a Norman castle, then enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch at Gelso Nero with sweeping sea views.
“The entire tour was our “best” experience! The guide, Maurizio, has to be one, if not your best. The history and knowledge of his beautiful country & culture makes you love it as much as he does. The tour definitely exceeded our expectations! Would highly recommend.”
Spend three hours in a Catania home learning hand-rolled sfoglia, two pasta styles, and tiramisu with a local Cesarine host. Hosts such as Graziella, Andrea, Angela, Laura, and Maurizio have welcomed cooks with practical guidance, family recipes, aperitivo, wine, and a shared meal.
“I had booked this activity as a birthday present for my husband and it was very enjoyable. Laura was chilled and conversational which made it a nice experience. Laura gave good instructions when making the pasta and always on hands if we needed help. Making the pasta was quite straightforward with her instructions and making the mix for the tortellini was great. Making the tiramisu was great fun and so easy to make. The end when we got to eat everything was wonderful. It was all delicious and everything was consumed!!”
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
