Sicilian Cooking Class: Ortigia Market Tour

Join Teresa Zimmitti on a Syracuse Market Tour in Ortigia, Sicily. Explore the vibrant Ortigia market, learn to cook traditional Sicilian dishes, and indulge in a tasting tour. Book now!

Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Via Isole delle Molucche, 8 - Teresa warmly invites you to dive into a genuine Sicilian culinary and cultural adventure! Follow her on Instagram: zimmittiteresa_italy
    Meeting Point:
    Join us at 8:30 at the Ortigia market (Burgio Salumeria), conveniently located near the cruise ship port.
    Ortigia Market Tour (8:30-9:30):
    Enjoy a pleasant…
What's Included
  • Hands-On Cooking: You’ll be involved in every step of the process.
  • Cooking class with three family recipes in a local house.
  • Wine, mineral water and coffee.
  • Visit to Ortigia market and grocery stores.
What's Not Included
  • Meals
  • Private transportation
Meal Options
  • Fresh or dry pasta with sauce,or arancine,or impanata or pizza margherita - The pasta sauces will be with fish or vegetarian or with meat.
    You can specify your preferences, I can also satisfy you with a vegetarian menu.
  • Traditional Sicilian dessert ,usually dessert with fresh ricotta - We will make a dessert with local product: ricotta, almonds or…
Additional Information

Teresa will be your guide throughout the entire experience.
8:30-9:30 am: Enjoy a guided tour of the Ortigia market, featuring small tastings from the market stalls. Gain insights into local ingredients, learn how to cook them, and discover basic recipes of Sicilian cuisine.
9:30 am: Head towards the villa. The lesson takes place at Via Isole Molucche 8,…

Location
Fratelli Burgio
Piazza Cesare Battisti
The meeting point is in front of the ancient Burgio Salumeria at the Ortigia market. The villa where the cooking class takes place is located in via isole Molucche 8T If you request private transport for a fee you will be accompanied back to the market or to your apartment at about 13.00
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(23 Ratings)
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S2000nsscottt
May 9, 2025
Cooking Class from Authentic Sicilian Lady (Teresa) - Wow…..what a day. My wife and I had an authentic Sicilian cooking class for lunch. The class started out meeting at the market. Where fresh veggies, protein and seasonings are out on display. Teresa gave us the tour and we sampled many of the vendors. She is obviously well loved and respected there. After an hour at the market we headed over to her private home. I personally requested ravioli & tiramisu. She does take request and specialize menus for those who may be vegetarian, vegan and/or has allergies. However, I love my protein and my wife wanted to learn tiramisu. Our 1st course was sautéed eggplant on toast, 2nd course beef rollup with herbed stuffing, 3rd course ricotta stuffed ravioli with a tomato sauce, 4th course was sautéed tuna with a pepper/onions sauce sauce and finished with a tiramisu. She gets everyone involved and even wraps up by providing the recipes of what was made. So, there is no need to take notes. Make an enjoyable and memorable experience while in Sicily. Chao!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fearless23365531348
May 5, 2025
If you want the best experience in Sicily, take this class!! - If you are on the fence on taking a cooking class, don't be--jump on this one-you will not regret it! It is everything that you could want and turned out to be my best day in Sicily. Teresa is like a sister, warm, welcoming, funny and so knowledgeable and kind. She invites you into her lovely and warm home and selects a menu based on what is currently the most fresh ingredients and based on your food likes/dislikes. When you arrive, she immediately gets you to work and road maps what we'll be making and what steps we'll take. She was so patient showing us how to make the pasta into the appropriate shapes-some were easier than others! The best part is that we did all of the work, we didn't just watch, we learned so much and it was at a very relaxed pace--truly enjoying all along the way. Our meal consisted of parmigiana (eggplant), busiate with pumpkin and sausage, cavatelli with tomato and almond pesto, and tiramisu. When it was all ready to eat, sitting out in Teresa's garden as the sun was setting, listening to music and eating this delicious food that we made just was such a lovely way to end this experience. Don't wait, book this-you will love it and you will love Teresa!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Northstar609772
May 3, 2025
Market tour and cooking class - A truly remarkable experience exploring the marketplace and Teresa was so informative and welcoming. The cooking class itself felt like being at home with family, making pasta and sauces and all the wonderful dishes and then sitting down at the table in the garden for a truly delicious lunch. Not to be missed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ursula
Apr 23, 2025
A holiday highlight - Teresa surprised me with her ability to respond to my interests, inspired me for the Ortigia market and combined shopping, tastings, explanations and anecdotes with Italian charm. The cooking class was exciting and the food just wonderful. Definitely recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Siera_r_88
Aug 31, 2024
TOP experience - Very satisfied. Experience recommended. Teresa is an excellent teacher, very prepared, helpful and patient.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rajesha1225
Jun 10, 2024
Brilliant cooking lesson and experience in Ortigia - Perfect end to our stay in Sicily. This was a last minute decision - and we were glad we made the decision. She was perfect. She explained different vegetables and recipes in the Ortigia market and also made us taste a few special ones. Taking us back to her villa, she was very patient and taught us how to make 3 types of pasta - specific to Syracuse. She also helped us with some great sauce recipes, specially the pepper one - the one we loved the most was the swordfish with the breading - bellissimo. She was a great host and we would love to come back and repeat this. Very recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L2089kyering
Jun 6, 2024
Must do cooking experience! - Amazing experience to make authentic Sicilian food with a terrific Sicilian. The meal was delicious and we left stuffed and happy. Our teenagers thoroughly enjoyed learning various cooking techniques and had a blast making their own pasta for the first time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pammf135vc
May 29, 2024
Excellent Experience! - The market tour was fun and informative Our lesson was great and the food choices were suited to our taste. Theresa was very accommodating and helpful in every way. We would do this again!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jason_d
Apr 17, 2024
Wonderful Sicilian Cooking Class - We had a wonderful experience with Teresa. She is kind, patient and an incredible Sicilian cook! We hope to book another cooking lesson with her when we return to Sicily!
Review provided by Viator
Lisabella
Mar 21, 2024
Great Tour with a Local from Sicily - We enjoyed our tour with a true local from the Syracusa area of Sicily. The tour begins with a very informative tour and discussion of the outdoor market. Samples of local cheeses (we especially loved the ricotta!), mini sandwiches, fruits and vegetables. Our guide purchased foods that were to be used in our cooking class. After the market tour we traveled by car to our guide’s private home for our cooking lesson and lunch. The guide was kind enough to supply us with the recipes of the dishes we prepared. The lesson was very easy follow. After cooking we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch with a nice table wine. A few tips for future guests, the guide’s English is good, if you speak Italian it’s a bit easier to follow the instructions. Her home is quaint, so large groups may find the space small. This tour is best enjoyed by 2-4 people maximum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $140
up to 6 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).