Sicilian Cookery Classes at Villa Britannia Taormina

Villa Britannia
I love food and I love cooking … especially Mediterranean food, which makes Sicily the perfect place for me, it is a foodie’s paradise.

Sicily is where Europe ends and Africa begins. It began its history as part of ancient Greece and soon became part of the Roman Empire. Thereafter the Island was invaded by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark on the island and its cuisine.

An eight minute walk from the centre of Taormina you will find Villa Britannia a small exclusive boutique bed and breakfast located in a tranquil position overlooking the Ionian Sea and Taormina.

The owners Marco and Louisa have lovingly refurbished the villa with vintage, designer and antique furniture together with art and sculptures by local artists.

The villa is surrounded by a beautiful garden which hosts an ancient Roman Soldiers tomb.

It is also home to one of the best Sicilian cookery classes in the area.

You can enjoy a “hands on” cookery class, including an aperitif and four course lunch with wines any day between Monday to Sunday. Booking is advisable.

 Pancrazio, Villa Britannia’s professional chef, will show you how to make three different Sicilian dishes using ingredients only that Sicily offers best.

Each dish is prepared from scratch and the villa's aim is to express their love for simple Sicilian food, looking at its history and explosive flavours. Also looking at the ingredients which are the key to great Sicilian cooking, they only use local sourcing and farming which to them is a priority. Herbs are used from the villa's garden outside the kitchen.
Suite with a View

Once you have completed the three different dishes you will enjoy Villa Britannia’s amazing atmosphere. Louisa, Marco and Pancrazio will serve you lunch out on their terrace and explain to you what wines and oils are combined with your Sicilian lunch which you helped prepare.

The day goes something like this:

10am - 12:30pm Pancrazio will demonstrate and you will help prepare a three course Sicilian meal

12:30pm Aperitivo Drink served with warm Crostini with a taste of the villa’s homemade pesto and pates by Kimi Sicilian Gourmet

13:00pm – max 15:00 pm The three course meal plus dessert will be served to you on the Villa Britannia terrace accompanied by DOC Sicilian Etna Wine (red and white) and homemade Mandaretto (a liquor made from Villa Britannia's home grown mandarins) and coffee

Your day includes a two and a half hour class with Chef Pancrazio in English, combining the recipes and method of cooking each dish. Four course lunch with Etna wine and homemade Mandaretto, coffee or tea.Your own apron will be provided. For sample menus visit Villa Britannia’s website.

Villa Britannia also hosts Sicilian wine tasting and aperitif evenings, Marco is a trained sommelier and knows his wines.

Aside from Cookery classes the Villa has two beautiful suites, the DH Lawrence suite and the Truman Capote Suite which can both sleep a maximum of three people. The rooms are named after the close proximity to the villa where DH Lawrence lived for four years and Truman Capote one year. Both suites have balconies with sea views.

The villa is also available to rent privately for a maximum of six people and is perfect for special events, private parties and weddings for up to thirty guests. A private chef is available on request.

Bar at Villa Britannia
There is a large lounge that incorporates an antique bar that is one half of the oldest bar worktops to be found in Taormina. This is hand carved and painted in a typical Sicilian way which depicts the battles of Charlemagne and his Paladin Knights. The bar was last used as the main desk at the Compagnia Italiana Turismo office on Corso Umberto (closed in 2008) where Louisa’s father once worked.

Louisa and Marco are the perfect hosts and make you feel like you are part of the family. Their breakfasts are absolutely yummy, believe me …. I have tasted Marco’s cakes and Louisa makes the best coffee. They also make their own jams and preserves using the abundance of fruits that grow in the villas garden.



Villa Britannia truly is “a home away from home”.

For more Information on
 staying at Villa Britannia, Cookery Classes, Wine Tasting and Events 
visit their website and follow them on 
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
www.villabritannia.com

Photo Gallery

Fresh local produce and Fruits from the Garden
First Course
Chef Pancrazio
Louisa (centre) with happy guests
Buon appetito
Preparing Lunch in the Kitchen
Villa Britannia's Terrace
The Garden
Herb Garden
Left; DH Lawrences House - Right: Roman Tomb
Ionian Sea View
Breakfast Time
Kitchen
Today's Menu
Kitchen
Home made Jams and Preserves
Are you ready for your Sicilian Cookery Class?
Breakfast Time
Villa Details
Villa Details
Sicilian Cookery Class
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