COOKING CLASS in Taormina at Chef Massimo HOUSE!!
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Taormina, Italy
- 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Overview
The best way to connect with any local culture is through food, and nowhere is this more true than Sicily. With this cooking class, shop for ingredients at the market in Taormina like a local before learning how to prepare a variety of traditional Sicilian dishes with Chef Massimo in his restaurant kitchen. Enjoy the fruits of our labors over lunch afterwards, served with two local wines.
- Take a deep dive into Sicilian cuisine with a hands-on cooking class
- Shop for fresh, seasonal ingredients at the Taormina market
- Make traditional appetizers and first and second courses with a chef
- Sample the dishes you’ve prepared over lunch, paired with local wines
Sample Menu
Main
Catch of the day in the Messina style
with the freshest fish that we will find together on the market, we will cook together a typical local recipe !!
Starter
flowers of zucchini stuffed with ricotta
Starter
stuffed artichokes
Main
fresh pasta
What's Included
- Lunch
- kitchen
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bottled water
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Meals
- apron
- Recipes in English
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Vico Zecca, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
under the Arch of Porta Messina Taormina
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.9:30 am
What To Expect
1
Porta Messina
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Chef Massimo was wonderful. So personable. He explained everything in detail and with such a love of cooking. We enjoyed this class very much and would highly recommend it. Not to mention the food was delicious! A wonderful experience!
Reviews
5.0
based on 656 reviews
Review summary
Last 12 months
101 reviews
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Travelers praise the cooking experience for its hands-on, educational approach led by knowledgeable guides who create a welcoming atmosphere focused on authentic Sicilian cuisine. The use of fresh, local ingredients during market tours and cooking sessions enhances engagement and learning. Food and beverage offerings receive consistent acclaim for their flavorful dishes and generous portions of local wine, contributing to a memorable and enjoyable culinary experience.
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Massimo is the greatest host and chef. Second time doing his shopping and cooking adventure in Taormina as I knew it would be a wonderful experience and wanted to share it with my friends! Beautiful location for an outdoor lunch prepared by our group. Massimo coordinated the prep and cooking so all could learn techniques and he provide good insight into how and why the process led to optimal outcome.
It was fun from start to finish. Shopping for fresh vegetables at the market, going to the butcher shop and walking to massimo’s home which involved going down and back up a few flights of stairs.
There were 16 of us which I would have preferred a much smaller group.
Massimo is a great instructor with loads of information. For example what type of fish to buy and NOT buy based on appearance.
We look forward to receiving an email from Massimo with the recipes.
Very good profound cooking experience. Massimo speaks very good English, can explain every detail of his cooking.
Massimo is very knowledgeable and has good English he told us lots about Sicilian cooking and what to watch out for in restaurants. The group was 16 we all got a chance to prepare parts of the three starters and two main courses. We had Prosecco before lunch and white and red wine withe meal I initially thought it was a bit pricey but was well worth the money. I would love to come to another class with massimo at a different time of year when other foods are in season. He checked for allergies and dietary restrictions. He lives down the hill from Taormina we walked down to casaisola. He arranged taxis for some of the other guests. His staff were pleasant also
Massimo’s cooking class was an amazing experience! We started with a tour of the local markets before heading to his home to prepare a wonderful selection of delicious local dishes. Everyone was involved in the process, making it both interactive and fun. The caponata was the best I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to recreate it at home! Massimo made the entire experience engaging, enjoyable, and memorable. I would highly recommend this class to anyone looking for an authentic taste of local cuisine and a truly special experience.
Best day on our vacation! Chef was amazing, view was beautiful, and the food was spectacular. Would definitely do this again.
Massimo was a wonderful guide and chef. He treated us like family and his home for the class is very neat + scenic. Amazing food. Would reccomend!
Chef Massimo is incredible. The visits to the market and butcher shop were very informative. He explained and helped with every part of the food preparation and answered every question. He's extremely knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. The food and wine were amazing. This was our 2nd time with his class and will definitely go again! Highly recommend.
This was high on the list of our favorite things we did on this vacation. Massimo was very knowledgeable and the food was the best we had! It was fun and I would highly recommend this is you're coming to Taormina!
Phenomenal day with Massimo! He has a way of making you feel like family from the moment you arrive. Come hungry—you’ll be treated to an incredible amount of delicious food, and you definitely won’t need dinner reservations afterward!
This was one of the most fun and informative experiences we have had. The chef was terrific, providing instruction and entertainment throughout our day. The food was delicious, the venue terrific for the crowd, and we had a great time and a wonderful meal.
Fabulous experience. Chef Massimo was extremely professional and thorough from start to finish. Very enjoyable. With his guidance and knowledge our group produced an extraordinary lunch with the freshest of ingredients. Would highly recommend Chef Massimo’s cooking class for anyone visiting Taormina .
We spent a wonderful day cooking and learning from Chef Massimo
He is such a friendly person who made us feel so relaxed and comfortable. There were 4 of us in the kitchen and with the help of Chef Massimo cooked lovely starters and 2 mains.
Learned so much . All light hearted and fun. He even ordered a taxi to take us to his house after the market as we are of a certain age!
If you are in Taormina, you really must do this
The chef was a fount of information and a great host. We had a very friendly and enjoyable group to interact with. We can’t wait to try some recipes at home.
This cooking class was awesome! The whole group got along really well and Massimo made it a great environment! We started with a tour of the market and learned about local produce, fish, and meat before walking to the house. The view from the house was beautiful, so it was a very scenic way to make lunch! The cooking was really fun and the whole group agreed we learned a lot of skills and recipes that we would use again! The food tasted INCREDIBLE! We had plenty of time to eat and drink and hangout. It was just a really amazing time! We loved it!
Lastly, there were two people with celiac in the group (gluten free) and we felt very safe and the accommodations were little things that allowed for us to still have all the food (ie no breadcrumbs in the meatballs for the two of us and gluten free pasta in separate water). We would highly recommend!
Our cooking class with Massimo in Taormina was one of the highlights of our trip. He made the experience so much fun while sharing an incredible amount of knowledge about Sicilian food and culture. The class was hands-on, relaxed, and perfect for cooks of any skill level. We also met wonderful people from all over, which made the experience even more memorable. If you’re visiting Taormina, I can’t recommend this class enough.
One of the highlights of our trip to Sicily! Chef Massimo made the experience both fun and informative. The market tour was really interesting learning about picking flavorful and fresh produce. We made traditional Sicilian dishes like Caponata and sun dried tomato pasta. The views from his house are also amazing. Highly recommend!
We had a fantastic cooking experience with Chef Massimo that our whole family will never forget. Even our two very fussy teenagers had their eyes opened to new foods and flavors. Being involved in every step of the process—from selecting fresh local produce, to preparing and cooking the dishes, and finally enjoying the meal together—made the experience truly special.
The setting was equally unforgettable: a beautiful house with breathtaking views that made the day even more memorable. This was a wonderful introduction to Sicilian cuisine and culture, and an opportunity not to be missed.
Thank you, Chef Massimo, for such an authentic and enjoyable Sicilian cooking experience. We all loved it!
This was the perfect cooking class for my husband and I! Massimo is both fun and educational, and the location is amazing - the most beautiful view. The setup and operations are also fantastic. The prep, cleanup, and quick turnaround to each dish you cook made is so easy, not to mention the food was delicious. We already have plans to replicate some of these recipes! Thanks Massimo, high recommend!
One of the best authentic experiences I had in Italy. I truly learned so much, plus had a great time doing it. The food was amazing, the house is charming and Chef Massimo if very knowledgeable.
There are a lot of steps to get to the chef’s home but he will call for and pay a taxi to take you directly there after the walk about in the market.
There were 16 folks who all spoke English.We had a great time during the meal.
The perfect local culinary experience for Taormina. A central meeting point, local market tour then short walk down to Massimo’s villa via the local butcher Alberto. Massimo is a professional chef and former restauranteur so has the insider knowledge for local culinary nuances. His English is perfect, and his explanations excellent. His house is set up professionally for the class with views along the bay. The terrace arrangement for eating family style makes for a convivial social setting. Relaxed and fun using high quality local fresh ingredients. Also catered seamlessly for dietary requirements and the wine was local and generous in nature. A caponata even Montalbano would be proud of. Grazie!
Massimo is a highly knowledgeable and wonderful chef. He walked our group to markets and educated us on all types of produce. His class was in beautiful Taromina overlooking the ocean. We learned to cook 5 different dishes that were so flavorful and delicious. My husband and I has a great experience! We highly recommend Massimo's cooking class.
If you are looking for something a little different to do having seen most of the tourist attractions
I would recommend going on this cooking experience. The chef was charming and knowledgeable and there was never a dull moment. We were taken to a local market to buy ingredients and then back to a house with amazing views of the bay to cook traditional Sicilian food. Made our own pasta, and a fish dish along with sauces side dishes and starters. Learnt loads and ended up being served our delicious food on a beautifully laid table outside. There was plenty of wine and lovely company. Turned out to be one of the highlights of our holiday!
A great way to get to know the culinary community of Taormina Chef Massimo entertaining guests with stories and food recipes
Top three international ‘tour’ events we’ve done. We’ve done 7-8 different cooking classes around the world and Massimo’s is by far the best. Massimo and his team are TOP notch and I highly recommend taking his class.
Great class from start to finish. The trip to the community market, and butcher shop were off the beaten path and interesting to experience where the locals shop. Chef Massimo’s home and kitchen were a beautiful setting to prepare the meal we enjoyed eating after the preparations. We’ve taken numerous cooking classes in different countries and this definitely excels in terms of information shared about the food, as well as in the number of dishes we prepared. The tomato salad and braised sea bass were our two favorites of the meal, can’t wait to try them at home. Would definitely recommend this class!
Great experience from start to finish! We learned about selecting ingredients at the market and then how to prepare some classic and delicious recipes. We were seven people in total, and it felt like a family cooking a traditional Sunday lunch in Sicily - with the added bonus of having a staff to clean, serve and make sure everything went well. Highly recommended both as educational and fun!
A great learning experience when it comes to shopping for quality meats and produce. It was a fun group thanks to Massimo and we made friends with others in the group. Food was spectacular as well.
A must cooking experience! Massimo is a wealth of knowledge in the marketplace as well as kitchen with a sense of humor to keep you engaged and interacting with fellow chefs!! Not only will you learn new techniques but also mistakes we've all made about blending and modifying your cooking style. Oh, and you will have fun as well! Don't miss out on this adventure!
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per personWas $173.80(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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COOKING CLASS in Taormina at Chef Massimo HOUSE!!
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