The Arab occupation of Sicily in the Middle Ages transformed the local cuisine and introduced many of the ingredients which are still very much a part of Sicilian cooking today.

This unique class with Chef Paolo Arlotta, explores these influences with dishes which are unique to the Sicilian islands.

This class is partly hands-on and partly demonstration and concludes with lunch.

DEMONSTRATION + SOME HANDS-ON 

18+years old

La cucina povera is the term that describes the humble, domestic cooking that was typical of Italy’s rural and urban working classes. Dishes typically consisted of local, seasonal legumes, grains and vegetables, with herbs and local spices. This style of cooking is the essence of the Mediterranean diet; simple, pure, wholesome and delicious. This class is led by Chef Paolo Arlotta and is suitable for vegetarians.

DEMONSTRATION AND SOME HANDS-ON

18+years old

Polenta is the ultimate winter comfort food. Wholesome, rustic and hearty, polenta is enjoyed throughout Italy in a variety of styles and with myriad accompaniments.

In Northern Italy, especially Lombardy and Veneto, polenta even tops pasta as the favourite family staple.

This demonstration class will showcase the range of polenta from Moretti, one of Italy’s oldest and most famous milling families. You will learn how to select and cook different types of polenta with a demonstration of three recipes: Polenta Taragna (corn & buckwheat) with cheese; Polenta Bramata (yellow corn) with meat sauce; Polenta Bianca (white corn polenta) with seafood.

18+ years old

Tortellini, ravioli, agnolotti; each region of Italy has their own version of filled pasta dishes. This pasta masterclass covers each stage of preparing the pasta, creating different fillings and folding the pasta into the various forms. 

At the end of the class you will enjoy a lunch of the pasta you've produced accompanied by a glass of wine or two.

HANDS ON | INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED

18+years old

While the Southern regions of Italy offer tangy tomato sauces, olive oil and fresh seafood, the Northern regions are deeply influenced by French, Austrian and German flavours.

In this class you will explore some of the traditional foods and recipes from the Northern Italian Cuisine, where ingredients such as Alpine cheeses, butter, polenta, cabbage, boiled meats are considered traditional delights.

DEMONSTRATION + SOME HANDS-ON

18+years

No other food captures the soul of Cucina Italiana like a simple plate of pasta.

In this hands-on class you will learn to make your own beautiful silky pasta sheets for lasagna, spaghetti and fettuccine and how to pair your pasta with the perfect sauce.

Hands-on classes are held in Enoteca Sileno’s professional kitchen and require all participants to roll up their sleeves and get involved. The class concludes with a relaxed lunch where you can discuss the class and enjoy the fruits of your efforts over a glass of wine. 

HANDS-ON | BEGINNERS LEVEL 18+years old

Risotto is one of the great dishes of La Cucina Italiana and every good Italian cook always has one or two favourite risotto recipes up their sleeve.

This demonstration class introduces you to the basics of risotto making: selecting the best rice, preparing the ingredients, and discovering fool-proof cooking techniques. We’ll also show you some of the other wonderful dishes Italian’s make with rice.

This class in presented as a demonstration and includes a taste of all the dishes prepared.

DEMONSTRATION