Annalisa Pompeo of GoSicily Sicilian Cooking Experience is a gem! My father has been a follower of…read moreAnnalisa for some years now. When he saw that she was coming to the USA he told me he was signing us up for an authentic Sicilian cooking class. Ok, I'm in, that's all I knew. Well, it was so much more enjoyable then any standard cooking class. Our class was held in her friend and colleagues' home, she held other classes on her "USA tour" in other homes, restaurants and at a cooking school. While she is doing her demonstration and checking in on your preparations as you cook along with her, she is teaching you about the food, what you're using, why you're using it, the balance of flavors and the applicable history of it. During our class we first started with dessert, so the flavors have time to merge to enjoy later - Ricottamisú (similar to tiramisú but I liked this so much better!). We then made Arancini al sugo (ragu filled), and the entrata of Falsomagro (False Skinny) (like a braciola, made with Veal). All of these dishes and ingredients used to make them are familiar, but these specific recipe styles I never tried before; some ingredients I may also not have thought to use with the other. Everything was phenomenal! Not only is Annalisa an incredible cook and teacher, she is so sweet and friendly. You feel like family with Annalisa. Viva Famiglia! This was even more special to us because part of my Sicilian heritage comes from Favara! - Favara is where Annalisa is from and located. There is also a very real possibility that she is my distant family / cousin as her last name has long since been rumored to be in my family line somewhere. To learn Sicilian style cooking of that region and that town brings us so much closer to our roots. I cannot wait to finally plan a trip to see the towns my family came from, and now I have a personal connection there to see and cook with again! I'm also excited to learn of the Almond, Museum, Winery and Olive Oil tours she will take you on! GoSicily is a MUST on your Sicilian agenda!