Visit Of The Ortigia Market And Cooking Class Of Typical Dishes

Errate was a wonderful guide and chef. He took us through the local market where we got to experience and sample the local produce. Errate bought the produce that we took back to his restaurant where we played sous chef and Errate cooked 2 pastas and a dessert. The food was delicious and the experience was wonderful.

We had a lovely time but, it was NOT a cooking class. Our host was warm, welcoming and knowledgeable. 10/10 The market tour exceeded our expectations. Our guide shared so much knowledge about local foods and customs. Clearly had great relationships with vendors and provided amazing smells, sights and tastes. 10/10 The experience back at the restaurant/kitchen was very hospitable. Food and wine was generous and delicious. BUT it could most generously be described as a cooking demonstration. The chef prepared food (for our tour group of 4 plus an additional dining group of 10) narrating his process and answering questions. But other than halving some cherry tomatoes, there was no hands on or opportunity to actually learn recipes, techniques, preparation or other aspects of actually cooking. It is hard to rate, because we had a lovely time and it was a great food tour and meal. But it simply wasn’t a cooking class. Which is what we signed up for.

Ettore was amazing, he grew up here and was a fountain of knowledge about the local places and food. His passion for food and teaching others about it was brilliant. He made as all feel like family. We chose the ingredients at the market and helped to prepare the dishes, then sat down together to eat. It was an amazing experience. I would definitely recommend this.

A great experience! Everything was perfect down to choosing the meals and cooking together. I would 100% recommend it. We felt appreciated and seen and it was so funny getting to cook together

This was an amazing experience for us (we had two 14 year old girls with us). Make sure you go hungry and plan for this to be your main eating activity for the day. Highly recommend!

We had chef Mariarita and had a great time cooking in her beautiful home overlooking the Neapolis Archeological Park. We made homemade cavatelli, swordfish, salad, and tiramisu. Everything was perfect - highly recommended.

This trip was SPECTACULAR from start to finish. ETTORE, our chef and guide escorted us on a leisurely stroll through the market educating us on the importance of fresh and local ingredients for our subsequent meal. We tasted fresh oyster, capers, prickly fruit, limoncello, virtually anything we wanted, purchasing all the ingredients for our meal as we moved along. As a group of 8, we settled on a meal of caponata with both fish and meatballs. At Ettore’s suggestion, we also chose pistachio pesto with spaghetti. The cooking demonstration took place at an exquisite Oceanside restaurant where we soaked in the expertise of an experienced and local chef, juxtaposed with city and ocean views. The meal was replete with Prosecco and bountiful local vino rosso. Plan on a 5 hour experience but every minute full of a multi-sensory experience. Bravo!

We shopped at the market and then were taxi to the restaurant where we prepared the recipes, enjoyed local wines, and ate together. Very memorable time!

Amazing from start to end. Learnt a great deal and a wonderful immersion in to Syracuse and Sicilian cooking. Recommend wholeheartedly

Etore took extra time with the member of our party with Celiac Disease. He prepared for her a gluten free meal and made her feel special. We all learned some interesting & creative new recipes!

What a fantastic experience...from selecting fish at the outdoor market, preparing the food and eating our fabulous creations

The cooking experience with Chef Ettore was a blast! We were a group of 6 ladies, all with varied tastes, cooking experiences and expectations. We started with a shopping trip in the Ortigia market tasting olive oil, interacting with vendors and picking up our fresh items to make pomodoro sauce, eggplant parmigiana, homemade pistachio pesto pasta and pasta with seafood. Beautiful rustic, classic dishes in Sicily. Chef thoroughly enjoys sharing his cooking experience, sharing his hints and ideas while keeping our wine glasses topped up. The class was fun, the chef was outstanding and the food delicious!

This was an absolutely amazing experience! Chef Empeeria is incredible! He was so fun and knowledgeable and we learned so much about traditional cooking, culture and history! The meals we cooked were delicious. Chef Empeeria carefully picked the ingredients for all four of us and we cooked the individual recipes. Our kids (12 and 19) had the best time cooking! Visiting the Ortigia market together was an experience by itself! The charcuterie board to taste the fresh cheeses and meats was incredible! Thank you Chef Empeeria!

We loved our time with Hector. The market tour was excellent. We wished we had done this on the first day of our stay in siracusa! Cooking was fun and we went home with new recipes and very full stomachs! Would highly recommend this to anyone.

Ettore Anastasio was fantastic. 5 stars. He was personable and educated our entire family on classic Sicilian dishes. When we asked a question, we did not get an answer - we got a demonstration - and then participated in making the dishes ourselves. I highly recommend Ettore.

My wife and I had a wonderful time learning about and making pasta. The chef was a wonderful teacher. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and fun! Would highly recommend this class to anyone visiting Ortigia.

The entire experience exceeded my expectations. Our chef and guide first took us to the market in Ortigia where we selected our fresh ingredients: produce, shrimp and calamare. Then onto a prep kitchen where we learned how to make tomato sause (a mother sauce) and pasta from scratch! From now on I will only make pasta from scratch and I made sure I captured the tomato sauce recipe. A great way to spend the afternoon. Can't wait for our next dinner party. Thank you Chef.

Great - all around tour. We had a fantastic look at the market and he purchased all the items we used to make an incredible amount of food. He was friendly, accommodating, and really a delight. I learned a ton - and can’t wait to make the recipes at home. Definitely recommend!! Grazie!

My husband and I have spent a wonderful afternoon with a group of ladies in the company of Ettore cooking delicious dishes. We had a great fun going to the market with the group sampling ingredients and then preparing a meal we all truly enjoyed. It was very relaxed and fun and we have learned a lot too!

Our afternoon with Ettore was great fun and we learned a lot about Sicilian food and wine. The tour started with a stroll through the market to select our ingredients and we got to meet some of the stall holders and fishmongers as we sampled their produce. After a short walk to the “laboratory” we got to help prepare several dishes including making our own pasta. We enjoyed a few glasses of wine and chatted amongst the group whilst we cooked and then ate our dishes. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.

The opportunity to visit the market with a flexible menu in mind was wonderful. Our group went from the age of ten to eighty-five, from meat eaters to non. Chef Ettore made everything seem easy. All were involved in cleaning, chopping and cooking. He sets the tone and it was much appreciated. The food was wonderful. Recommend it for one and all.

Hectori was brilliant. The market was great fun, sampling, being shown what is what and listening to the banter. The cooking experience was great fun. My only complaint is I eat too much!

The tour starts with a walk through the market selecting items for the menu. I got the feeling that he improvises based on the likings of the group. He talked about the fish, nuts, vegetables and cheese. He knew many of the local sellers (had grown up with them) and shared tastings along the way. Then we walked to his nearby industrial kitchen where we instructed us on how to make a huge delicious meal. We ate so well that we ended up cancelling our later dinner reservations and instead had just some drinks and small bites that evening. He was very friendly and it was definitely a highlight of our stay in Ortigia.

The best experience we had in Sicily by far! Such an authentic experience and amazing food, wine and cannoli!! So much fooood! So much fun going to the market to buy fresh fish, meat and cheeses. The chef and his daughter were a great team. We all left so happy and full!

The class started with a walk through the market where Ettore gave use great information about picking out fish, nuts, produce, cheese and herbs all of which we used to make a fabulous meal. His instructions directed our hands to make the individual dishes. And then we got to sit down together and eat them. It was marvelous!

This was such a wonderful experience, from the market to the kitchen, it was wonderful. Such generosity by the people selling the market goods and from the chef and his daughter. The wine was flowing and the food was so delicious. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting the area. Learned so much and keen to try it out at home. Thank you for a fantastic afternoon.

This was a fantastic tour from start to finish. Our chef Ettore guided us through choosing the fresh ingredients for our feast from the marvellous market whilst engaging with all the vendors. He then showed us how to make typical Sicilian dishes pasta alla Norma, pasta with shrimps and pistachio pesto and salt baked seabass - including making the pasta! We had to help which we enjoyed immensely. The food was delicious and was helped down by local wine. Ettore was helped by his charming daughter Valeria. He was so knowledgeable and great fun. He gave us lots of tips to recreate the dishes at home. We can't wait! Highly recommended

Chef Ettore is amazing- he has over 30 years of experience in very diverse kitchens and is very hands on and goes in depth on every aspect of Italian cuisine. We started in the ancient market to pick the dishes to cook, Ettore knew just about every vendor and we decided on several different dishes including red snapper as the secondi. What a wonderful experience- especially if like to cook. We also visited a wine merchant- also amazing. This is a great adventure- definitely do it. Dr. Mahesh

We had 6 of us doing the cooking class with Hector and it was so much fun! Started off touring the market and purchasing food for the class. Hector knew Everyohe so we had samples and explanations and great service. Afterwards we went to his laboratory and created an amazing meal - pistachio cream pasta, pasta Norma, salad and salt encrusted snapper - followed by a soda cual eggplant park he did for us and cannoli’s - it was fun fun fun and he was amazing! His 18 year old daughter assisted and both were so fun! Highly recommend!

We loved our market trip and cookery course. Our Chef was very friendly and knowledgeable and after about an hour of shopping for some amazing produce we returned to the kitchen where we helped cook our lunch. Got more than enough to eat and some local wines too. Learned how to make fresh pasta and will definitely try the recipes out at home.

Can I give it more than five stars?? Loved this so much! There was only five of us which was great because we really got to enjoy each others company. Ettore was the best! We started at the market going over the menu and choosing the freshest of ingredients. Then into the kitchen where we made pasta and arancini. The wine was flowing and the conversations were lively. I really appreciated that he showed us what to look for when buying fish and vegetables to get the highest quality products. I can’t recommend this class enough. What a great way to spend an afternoon in such a beautiful place.

This was the highlight of our trip! We had the best time and learned so much about sea food, Ortigia, and the market. Highly recommend taking this class at the beginning of your trip to help you learn your way around. Wishing we could do this every week with Etorre!

Such a wholesome experience! Delicious food, very informative and an all round fun time. Highlight of our trip so far.

Me & my friend had the BEST time at Ettore’s cooking class. He took us to the local market where we bought all the fresh ingredients we wanted & had samples of local food. He was very friendly & welcoming & we had so much fun learning all the tips & tricks! Not to mention the food we cooked was absolutely delicious. My friend & I both agreed it was the best day of our holiday! 10/10 recommend!

BEST COOKING CLASS in the Syracuse region! Ettore and his daughter, Valeria were absolutely lovely and so personable. We were overwhelmed with the options when first booking but we are so glad we went with Empeeria. The tour through the ancient market was great and we were able to tailor our future menu to the tastes of the participants and also the availability of the produce. Each vendor seemed to know Ettore personally so we got some great local flavour and chat! The kitchen is right next to the market and is a proper commerical kitchen. It's not fancy but definitely set up for a proper cooking experience! We cooked a seafood feast accompanied by handmade cavatelli made by us! One of the participants didn't eat seafood so Ettore created a separate delicious dish for her as well. We had so much fun - we want to do it again! The photos on the website are old so don't be fooled as it was a fun and exciting experience! Thanks Ettore!

This experience was incredible. I was lucky enough to have a 1-1 cooking class with Ettore and I came away having an amazing experience and having learned so much about Sicilian cuisine. Ettore was friendly, engaging and a very experienced chef. We had a great day making fresh seafood pasta, tomato sauce, eggplant parmigiana and cured anchovies. I would highly recommend this class to anyone with an interest in Sicilian food and cooking methods (or just Italian food lovers!)

The absolute highlight of our time in Sicily. Ettorea was an excellent guide around the food market and it was amazing spending time with him in the kitchen, watching him cook traditional Sicilian dishes using ingredients we had just purchased and asking him lots of food related questions. We learnt so much and it will definitely influence our cooking back in the UK.

What a very informative and enjoyable class. We were lucky enough to be the only two guests. This had to be the best pasta dish I have ever had. Yet, it was so simple. Even the bread had a little different taste but it was delicious.

Ettore is a warm person and very generous. He is a master chef of ancient Sicilian recipes. He very obviously loves what he does and it rubs off on you very quickly.

We had an incredible market tour with Chef Hector, who dedicated his time to explaining the fascinating variety of herbs and spices and their uses. As we walked through the market, we could see that Hector was well-known among the fish, cheese, olive and fruit vendors, and we were thrilled to become acquainted with them too. We sampled cheeses, meats and fresh fish. Hector carefully selected mussels, shrimp, and calamari for our delicious pasta dish called "Pescatory," and he also recommended fresh grilled sardines to complement the flavors with eggplant. The shopping experience was truly fantastic. The cooking class back at his “cooking Laboratory” brought us immense joy, as both my wife and I share a love for cooking. We relished the experience of learning how to create the pasta dish from scratch, and we paired it with a delightful Sicilian wine, enhancing the flavors even more. By the end of our meal, we were happily satiated, and a cup of coffee provided the perfect conclusion to our day. Chef Hector played a significant role in making our trip to Sicily unforgettable. His passion and love for cooking showed through our time together. And he generously shared ideas for our future cooking at home. When we return to Sicily, we will undoubtedly seek out Hector once again to relive this incredible and memorable experience.

This was the most memorable and wonderful day we had in Sicily. Hektor walked us through the local market stalls where we tasted everything from local mozzarella unlike any other we’d ever tasted, to the freshest seafood (raw mussels and shrimps - and oysters that were the best). Being shown how to make pasta and preparing the most incredible seafood sauce was the highlight of the day. Hektor shared his passion and knowledge for good, authentic food in such a friendly and relaxed way. We would highly recommend the experience

Fantastico! I was lucky enough to be the only participant and had a marvelous time with Ettoro, soaking up all his knowledge. He made sardine pasta, artichokes and Sicilian seabass. I got to try my hand at making fresh pasta, and then got to eat the lot, with a shared bottle of wine. Thank you so much, Ettore. I had a fabulous afternoon. I’d highly recommend this activity.

We had such a great afternoon cooking with Chef Ettore! We loved going to the market and picking out what we would make together. He is so knowledgeable about Italian cuisine. We highly recommend!

The meal was delicious and walking tour to the market in Ortigia informative. I was somewhat disappointed that it wasn’t the hands-on that we’ve experienced from other cooking classes. It was more of a demonstration. No written directions we’re made available with portions of ingredients used. The items there was only one item that the Chef purchased with us at the market that was used. The ingredients for our menu were already prepared for immediate cooking.

Ettore and Valeria gave us one of my favorite travel-based food experiences of my life! They developed the 4 course menu based on our interests. Then we shopped with them, learning which vendors and stores to visit later in our visit to Ortigia. Using a commercial kitchen, Ettore did most of the preparation. Although I took pictures, I wish that I would have brought a pen and paper. We learned numerous preparation techniques, which I am eager to practice at home. Our meal ended with a surprise dessert, complete with birthday candles for my friend. This afternoon topped my wonderful 5 day vacation to SE Sicily! Thank you Valeria and Ettore!!!!

It was a very special event- to get to know all the secret ingredients of Italian cuisine was amazing!! Great food, location and very nice cook!! Thanks

My boyfriend loves cooking so I decided to give him this experience for his birthday. It was a great day! We met up with Ettore at the market, and had a really fun tour. Ettore knows many people there so we got to try lots of different foods and talked to different people. We were lucky enough to be the only ones that booked this experience that day so we kind of had a private tour! Afterwards we drove to the restaurant where Ettore prepared the 3 course meal for us. We thought we'd maybe be cooking more ourselves, but it was also very nice to watch Ettore cook and to sit and eat on the terrace with gorgeous sea view. Overall great experience and super birthday present!

We all met up by the Tempio di Apollo and carried on to the market. We were able to choose what we wanted to cook . When you have 7 different view of what people want he was great in accommodating all of our wishes. He was teaching as we went through the market and provided us with a snack and drinks, vino for most. Wonderful knowledge of the fish and spices which was very informational for us all North Americans. Then we went to the kitchen and we all were to make pasta from scratch, he made look so easy and fun. Aside from the cooking which was super there was a camaraderie between all participants to achieve one common goal to create a wonderful Sicilian dish. He provided the venue for a fun lunch and made us a delicious Seconde piatti. Thank you Ettore for a fun day.

Had a really enjoyable tour of the market with Ettore who spent time explaining all the wonderful herbs and spices and their uses. Then on to the amazing fish. We picked the fish for our cookery lesson. Sardines for the pasta then St. Peter’s fish. Off to an amazing shop for a tasting of cheese and hams. Then the cooking class for a non cook my husband thoroughly enjoyed learning how to make pasta. We made tagliatelle with sardines which was amazing. We then cooked the St. Peter’s fish all accompanied by some excellent Sicilian wine. At this point we were full so had coffee. It was a fun day. Ettore is easy company and taught without putting any pressure on and certainly gave us ideas on what to cook at home We would certainly do it again