GoSicily - Sicilian Cooking Experience

GoSicily Cooking class in Favara, Sicily which is right by Agrigento, was one of my highlights during my vacation to Sicily. Annalisa, the cooking instructor, was amazing…she spoke great English and was full of informative tips regarding cooking and ingredients during the lesson. The time flew by with great company, wine and the yummy meal that we ate after we cooked what we learned. Do not hesitate to book this class if you are in the area, it would definitely become your highlight of your trip as well.

A group of 8 friends arranged to take a cooking class at Annalisa's home. The entire experience was spectacular and a highlight of our 2 week trip to Sicily. From the moment she met us on the street, Annalisa had us charmed. Her delightful home, easy banter, and simple instructions made for a wonderful evening. The dinner we prepared was delicious and the wine was free flowing. Highly recommend!

Without a doubt one of our favorite experiences in Sicily was our time With Annalisa. When we told our travel agent we wanted to immerse ourselves in some of the culture, she was spot on with recommending a day with Annalisa. Annalisa met us at our hotel and we knew right away we were going to have a great day. Her joyful enthusiasm and bubbly personality was so welcoming. She had the whole day planned, and executed it perfectly. Our first visit was to an Olive Oil facility to watch how it is made and she explained each process. We then got to sample some oil right from the vat! Then off to the farm to visit the Girgentina goats! The cheese from these goats we got to sample at a local restaurant where we enjoyed complimentary wine from the owner. The owner then let us try our skill at baking bread! To cap off the day, she took us to her hometown and showed us around and where she does cooking classes and then we went to her home where she made a simple treat with only 2 ingredients! A wonderful experience. If you are in the Agrigento area, I highly recommend you checking her out!

Annalisa is many wonderful things- a host, a cooking teacher, an entertainer and a wonderful person. She welcomed us outside her flat and gave us a short story about herself and Favara. Then she welcomed us into her home and it is a home. We had a relaxed atmosphere, learned how to prepare and then cooked pasta with an incredible pesto, tiramisu and swordfish involtini. It was all delicious. The local wine was outstanding as well as her father’s olive oil and limoncello. Do it!

Wonderful cooking experience and delicious meal! Annalisa went above and beyond to make sure we all had a fun time, that we were well-fed, and that we had a memorable and authentic Sicilian cooking experience. The food was delicious, and Annalisa was very thoughtful and flexible to accommodate our time constraints and interests. I would highly recommend this to anyone around Favara or Agrigento!

Annalisa Pompeo of GoSicily Sicilian Cooking Experience is a gem! My father has been a follower of Annalisa for some years now. When he saw that she was coming to the USA he told me he was signing us up for an authentic Sicilian cooking class. Ok, I'm in, that’s all I knew. Well, it was so much more enjoyable then any standard cooking class. Our class was held in her friend and colleagues’ home, she held other classes on her “USA tour” in other homes, restaurants and at a cooking school. While she is doing her demonstration and checking in on your preparations as you cook along with her, she is teaching you about the food, what you’re using, why you’re using it, the balance of flavors and the applicable history of it. During our class we first started with dessert, so the flavors have time to merge to enjoy later - Ricottamisú (similar to tiramisú but I liked this so much better!). We then made Arancini al sugo (ragu filled), and the entrata of Falsomagro (False Skinny) (like a braciola, made with Veal). All of these dishes and ingredients used to make them are familiar, but these specific recipe styles I never tried before; some ingredients I may also not have thought to use with the other. Everything was phenomenal!Not only is Annalisa an incredible cook and teacher, she is so sweet and friendly. You feel like family with Annalisa. Viva Famiglia! This was even more special to us because part of my Sicilian heritage comes from Favara! – Favara is where Annalisa is from and located. There is also a very real possibility that she is my distant family / cousin as her last name has long since been rumored to be in my family line somewhere. To learn Sicilian style cooking of that region and that town brings us so much closer to our roots. I cannot wait to finally plan a trip to see the towns my family came from, and now I have a personal connection there to see and cook with again! I’m also excited to learn of the Almond and Olive Oil tours she will take you on!GoSicily is a MUST on your Sicilian agenda!

We had the most wonderful time cooking with Annalisa. She is so warm and welcoming, and the food was amazing. Our family of 5 (kids ages 18, 16, and 12) all enjoyed our time in Favara and in Annalisa's kitchen. We highly recommend this experience.

AnnaLisa is a sweetheart! She is passionate about her work, her culture, her heritage and eager to make her clients feel like family. Our experience was wonderful and we have learned so many new things about not only her town but the stories behind the food of Sicily. Bravo to GoSicily!

We did a tour of Racalmuto with Annalisa and it was one of the best experiences of our 2 weeks in Sicily. We informed her at the start of the tour that my wife’s great grandparents were from Racalmuto and moved to the US in 1914. She made a point of sharing this story with everyone we met, which greatly enhanced our experience. A tour with Annalisa doesn’t feel like a “tour”. Instead it was like meeting up with a friend to explore the town, meet people and eat some tasty snacks and have some drinks together.If you’re in the Agrigento or Racalmuto area we definitely recommend doing a tour with Annalisa.

Eight of us thoroughly enjoyed Annalisa herself AND her cooking class. She is simply a delight, and the Sicilian dishes she taught us to make were both deceptively simple and downright delicious. It was a highlight of our group's two-week trip to Sicily. So if you the visit Agrigento area, be sure to leave time for a cooking class with Annalisa at GoSicily in Favara. You - and your tastebuds - will be very happy that you did!