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Silvana Recupero

The Chef of Sicily

Silvana Recupero

She is, of course, Sicilian (Catania, February 7 1960).

Black hair, black eyes and a cook’s heart!

Here it is the most distinguished Sicilian woman-chef !

 

She began her chef activities at the pub “I Munzignari”, an icon of the renowned night life of Catania.

Our chef, among other things, was also the owner of "I Munzignari", and she developed a new approach to the typical pub menu, making it, shall we say, a more clear reflection of the history and tradition of each dish.

In 2005 she started the movement to bring Finger Food to Sicily.

Because of Silvana, chefs now prepare these small gastronomic treats.

In 2006, together with the writer Giovanni Vallone (now her husband), she established the Association MammaSicily (or Il Console), a no-profit organization that has the aim, as per by law “ … to enhance the beauties of Sicily (art, culture, sea …) … to take care of the travelers … “ (be free to request our By Law if you’d like to know more about us).

"MammaSicily is the biggest project of my life. We are putting all of our Sicilian experiences in it. It’s always a honor for us (over our Association purpose) to give the travelers information and food-tips about Sicily", she says about Mamma's.

Today, a crowning achievement of her work is the continual research she does expanding the cooking laboratory of the Association  Il Console.

Silvana is a hands-on chef. She personally plans every meticulous detail of the catering events from the logistics to the cooking.

Yes, she actually does the cooking, ably assisted by her skilled, carefully-selected team, who share her passion for the food and culture of Sicily

A curiosity: her kitchen staff is composed of women only but (sometimes) Luca!

Silvana is authentic and down-to-earth. With her creative Sicilian spirit, she infuses our traditional Sicilian recipes with a fresh, modern approach.

Silvana is particularly active in teaching and carries out many different Cooking Classes at the headquarters in Sicily (Aci Bonaccorsi – Etna East).

Travellers love to attend this event, the most successful of Mamma's activities.

 “My favourite television program ? Maybe the recipe of the Arancini played for an American show  (You, me and Sicily)”

In November, 2013, Silvana recipe of a Carob's cake, broadcasted by Rai Italian RadioTelevision, had a big success and was awarded with many prizes.

Silvana has trained many chef to the Sicilian Cooking, helping them to the opening of restaurants (Zuzzu in Atlanta; Arricriati in Rome …)

 

 

 

This is Zia Cettina. She is a warm, friendly woman who will host you in her home, so you can taste real Sicilian home cooking.  Guaranteed by Silvana, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than the Godfather,

I am the Godmother of Sicilian cooking
and I wear the "coppola" hat !

 

Silvana in Atlanta during a party, talking with the piano legend Johnny Knapp
Silvana in Atlanta during a party, talking with the piano legend Johnny Knapp
With Letizia (sous-chef), Luca and Rosanna before a Cooking Lesson
With Letizia (sous-chef), Luca and Rosanna before a Cooking Lesson
Making arancini with a Swedish family
Making arancini with a Swedish family
The renowned Bahlsen company at Silvana Cooking
The renowned Bahlsen company at Silvana Cooking
Italian Public Network (Rai): Silvana has realized an entire episode focused on Sicilian carobe fruit recipe
Italian Public Network (Rai): Silvana has realized an entire episode focused on Sicilian carobe fruit recipe
Stuff and chef
Stuff and chef
Luxury event: the sweet table, with his brother Giuseppe
Luxury event: the sweet table, with his brother Giuseppe
Italian Public Network (Rai):Italian Public Network (Rail): one of the many cooking shows hosted by Silvana
Italian Public Network (Rai):Italian Public Network (Rail): one of the many cooking shows hosted by Silvana
Silvana with her sous-chef: Ivana (sister in law) and Annamaria (sister)
Silvana with her sous-chef: Ivana (sister in law) and Annamaria (sister)
Pasta is ready
Pasta is ready
With Letizia, her sous-chef during the Atlantan's experience, teaching Sicilian cooking
With Letizia, her sous-chef during the Atlantan's experience, teaching Sicilian cooking
The parmigiana: a masters in Sicily
The parmigiana: a masters in Sicily
Sicilian meal prepared in a holidays home
Sicilian meal prepared in a holidays home
With the paintings made by herself: chef and artist!
With the paintings made by herself: chef and artist!
A wedding for an Australian couple
A wedding for an Australian couple
Silvana with a Silvanina (home food housewives)
Silvana with a Silvanina (home food housewives)
In her kitchen
In her kitchen
Cooking School in the venue of the Association
Cooking School in the venue of the Association
Prestigious customers attending her cooking school: Culinary Institute of New York
Prestigious customers attending her cooking school: Culinary Institute of New York
Ivana (sous-chef), Silvana, Pascala and Sebastien after a Cooking Lesson about Cannoli and Pizza
Ivana (sous-chef), Silvana, Pascala and Sebastien after a Cooking Lesson about Cannoli and Pizza
Italian Public Network (Rai): make-up
Italian Public Network (Rai): make-up
Pedro is waiting for mamma Silvana meal
Pedro is waiting for mamma Silvana meal
With her husband: the writer Giovanni Vallone
With her husband: the writer Giovanni Vallone
Buon appetito!
Buon appetito!
Finger food during showed during a party for English customers
Finger food during showed during a party for English customers
A big cake for an exclusive party
A big cake for an exclusive party
With her sister Annamaria (right) and her sous-chef Ivana (left)
With her sister Annamaria (right) and her sous-chef Ivana (left)
Dancing hands during a school lesson
Dancing hands during a school lesson
She and her beloved Pedro
She and her beloved Pedro
You, Me & Sicily!" (American Network) : Godmother of Sicilian Cooking!
My lesson to the guys of the Culinary Institute of New York
Magica Italia (Rai, Italian Public Network): a Sicilian recipe by Silvana
Cooking Class: Helene family from Sweden