Chef and Global Nomad Bobby Chinn visits the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily to discover just what influence two thousand years of occupation by just about every major power in the region has had on its cuisine.
Everybody from the Greeks and Romans, to the Carthaginians, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French have swung by to spend some quality time here!
 Starting in Sicily’s ancient capital city Palermo, Bobby samples the delights of the local market before being shown how to prepare one of the most popular dishes here, Pasta with Sardines. Before leaving town he visits a patisserie to discover how to make the venerable Cannoli.
Bobby then travels into the beautiful rural heart of the Island to a cooking school, where he meets Fabrizia, one of the local aristocrats. She shows how to use a sweet Ricotta cheese to make another of Sicily’s famous sweets, a Marzipan Cassata.
 Continuing his tour he then travels to Trapani in the North West, which has strong Arab influences, perfectly encapsulated in the Fish Cous Cous he helps prepare. To do this he joins a whole Sicilian family as they cook, and needless to say, mayhem follows!
From Trapani the journey continues south to the ancient Greek ruins at Agrigento before crossing the island to end up in Catania.
This is the city famously built on the slopes of Mount Etna which just happens to be one Europe’s most active volcanoes. After touring the city and trying some of the regions local delicacies Bobby finishes his Mediterranean odyssey in a winery, cooking his own version of meatballs for the owners of the vineyard, who just happen to be food experts themselves.
Recipes:
Pasta con le Sarde
Cassata
Fish Cous Cous
For more information about the region visit our Destination Guide to Italy
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