A trip to Sicily wouldn’t be complete without discovering Palermo, the culinary Mecca of this Italian island! Get to know local host Fulvio who hosts a market tour of Palermo and a Sicilian cooking class using the best local produce.
Tell us about yourself and your foodie story. How did you get into cooking?
I’m Fulvio, I’m from Palermo and I have been living here most of my life, except for a short time that I spent in Great Britain. I have always been in love with Sicilian cuisine and Palermo in particular. My mother passed down this passion to me, and when I was little I used to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with her. I am also a local guide and I do street food walking tours in Palermo, a city that ranked number five in the world for the best street food. In fact, Anthony Bourdain used to say that the street food in Palermo is the absolute best!
When and why did you start hosting with Eatwith?
I started hosting with Eatwith a few years ago. I was looking for something that could change my lifestyle, and when I had the chance to enter the world of social dining while utilizing my local knowledge and passion for food, I fell in love with it right away!
Who is your foodie inspiration and why?
My mother is the one who passed on her passion for Sicilian cuisine to me. I learned everything from her and I try to express this love in the dishes that I prepare for my guests. Also, the Italian chef that inspires me the most is Cannavacciuolo, especially for the simplicity and authenticity of his cooking.
What is your favorite cuisine and why?
I cook mainly Sicilian food because it’s my favorite cuisine. I love it because it’s perfect for the Mediterranean diet, because it is seasonal (we only use the freshest food from the market) and the flavors are always very intense. For example, one of my favorite winter dishes is pasta with cabbage and toasted breadcrumbs. This ingredient was invented in Sicily as a cheese substitute since in ancient times many people couldn’t buy cheese. The Sicilian people are very innovative!
Tell us about your Eatwith experience. What can guests expect?
One of the most exciting things about my events is never knowing who I’m going to meet! When I do food tours I always say to my guests that Palermo is a culinary Mecca and that they’re going to get to taste street food that is a part of the history of Palermo. I always include anecdotes and stories about the city so that they can get to know it better. As for my cooking class, which includes a four course meal of your creations, I really love making people feel relaxed and at home, and I think that this is one of the things that makes my events truly unique.
If you could host a special guest (dead or alive), who would you invite to your table?
Music is an integral part of my events and I make my selection according to the musical tastes of my guests. If I could invite a special guest to dinner, I think I would invite Angus Young from AC/DC because he’s my idol and I’d really love to have dinner with him!
What do you want people to take away from your Eatwith experiences?
As I often say to my guests, I like to think that after being in Palermo they remember not only the splendid city but also me and my experience, for the good time that we spent together and for all the delicious food we sampled!
If you’re traveling to Palermo, be sure to check out all of Fulvio’s experiences! From cannoli making in a beach house to a countryside food and wine tour, discover all the of the culinary journeys that Eatwith has to offer in Sicily!
