Chef Mario Traina

Private Chef in Taormina

I have grown with true genuine food my whole life and decided to share the beauty of a true table with any new friend I can come across in life. The table is a moment which should clean up all issues around and between us. Simple food, authentic traditions, heartpicked ingredients are the way.

I grew up embedded in the aura of fried eggplants in the summer and roasted artichokes in the winter. My grandmothers never followed recipes — they followed instinct, seasons, and love. That is where I learned everything that matters about food. Every ingredient I use is chosen by hand: artisanal pasta from producers I know by name, extra virgin olive oil from groves I have visited since childhood, ricotta dried by the wind, tomatoes still warm from the sun. Nothing is approximate.

I graduated at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piedmont, studying food culture at many levels, and today I serve as Ambassador for the University itself. I also work as an educator at a private foundation for disadvantaged kids from the neighbourhoods of Catania, who strive to gain new opportunities in a complex world. These amazing youths are my brigade and they are a key ingredient of the services we offer.

Whether you are two or twenty, what I offer is simple: an honest table, real food, and the feeling of being welcomed into something genuine.

For me, cooking is...

an essential part of living which deserves respect and care.

I learned to cook at...

my grandmothers' house, absorbing everything for years, embedded in the aura of fried eggplants in the summer and roasted artichokes in the winter.

A cooking secret...

is to avoid any interference with the joy of cooking. Only if we are living a moment of profound enjoyment we can make high cuisine.

My menus

Taste diggers!

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Eggplant Parmigiana with basil pesto

Mixed shore and land fry

Charcoal baked potatoes, baked olives, heirloom tomato and aged pepper pecorino

Stuffed zucchini with pecorino fondue

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Authentic Fresh Pasta alla Norma

Risotto with Sicilian kohlrabi and black pig sausage

Risotto with figs and aged ragusano cheese

"Pasta a Catanisi" (Artisanal Maccheroni with fresh anchovies and wild fennel)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Daily catch white fish in lemon bath with green shoots

BBQ Stuffed Squid in Pantesca Sauce

"Agnello che senapi" (Charcoal cooked mountain Lamb with wild greens)

"Tunnina cca Cipuddata" (Sesonal Tuna with sweet&sour Onion)

BBQ Modica Veal on black bee honey seasonal Caponata

Pork loin with porcini and apples

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Almond blanc mange

"Cannolo espresso" (Freshly made Cannolo with ricotta and candied orange)

Ancient Watermelon Pudding

Eruption

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Selection of 5 appetisers vegetable and cheese based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 5 appetisers meat based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 5 appetisers fish based on market availability and daily inspiration

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Selection of 3 first vegetable and cheese courses based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 3 first meat courses based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 3 first fish courses based on market availability and daily inspiration

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Selection of 2 vegetable and cheese mains based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 2 meat mains based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 2 fish mains based on market availability and daily inspiration

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Selection of 2 traditional desserts based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 2 fruit desserts based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 2 gluten and dairy free desserts based on market availability and daily inspiration

Lava Bites

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Heirloom Roasted Tomatoes, Baked Ricotta and Fresh Anchovies

Sicilian Kohlrabi Caesar Salad with Smoky Chicken Fingers

"Bastaddi Affucati" (Traditional Wine braised Cauliflowers with Pecorino, Anchovies and Black Olives)

"Insalata di Cacocciuli" (Artichoke salad with capers and Sweet Citrus)

"Ricotta Fritta" (Fresh Ricotta coated with Wild Herbs fried in olive oil)

Anchovies in Pizzaiola Sauce

Barbecue Octopus, Smoked Burrata, Fermented Lemon

Caponata al miele di Ape Nera

Caprese Soufflé

Chickpea Fritter, Red Shrimp, Sweet&Sour

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Potato Gnocchi with Black Pig Stew and Aged Pecorino

Etna Porcini Risotto with lemon and almonds

Risotto with zucchini leaves and mussles

Chitarra al ragù di polpo (Artisanal Pasta with Octopus Ragout)

Ancient Norma artisanal Maccheroni and double ricotta

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Selection of BBQ Meats (Black Pig Sausage, Veal Tenderloin, Lamb ribs, Horse or Beef Meatballs)

Selection of BBQ Seafoods (Swordfish Rolls, Tuna Belly, Mackerels, Prawns)

Sesonal Tuna Cuts with sweet&sour Onion and Green Sauce

"Agnello che senapi" (Charcoal cooked mountain Lamb with wild greens)

Amberjack Ghiotta

Black pig cutlet with sweet as sour artichoke

Brasato alla Carruba e Cacao con Verdure Selvatiche

Citrus Leaf and Almond Pork Dumplings

Daily catch white fish in lemon bath with green shoots

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

"Cannolo espresso" (Freshly made Cannolo with ricotta and candied orange)

Cherry Tiramisù

"Torta al limone e mandorle" (Bitter almons and sweet lemon tart)

Ancient Watermelon Pudding

Almond Granita with fresh Mulberries

Jasmin Soufflé, Modican Chocolate Fondue, Pistacho Icecream

Butter almond chocolate pudding with aniseed crumble

Olive Shade

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Chickpea fritters with verdello lemon

"Ricotta Fritta" (Fresh Ricotta coated with Wild Herbs fried in olive oil)

Orange, Fennel and Spring Onion Salad

BBQ Artichokes in Green Sauce

"Nzalata di sicci" (Cuttlefish salad with artichokes)

Anchovies in Pizzaiola Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Spaghetti with Lemon Pesto and Black Pig Lard

Honey, Pears and Blue Pecorino Risotto

"Gnocchi cco sucu" (Fresh semolina flour gnocchi with black pig stew sauce)

"Risotto Mungibeddu" (Cuttlefish Ink Risotto with fresh ricotta)

"Pasta a Catanisi" (Artisanal Maccheroni with fresh anchovies and wild fennel) + VEG Version

Ancient Norma artisanal Maccheroni and double ricotta

Basil gnocchi with seashore ragout

Busiate alla Trapanese

Calamarata (Squid, capers and candied lemon pasta)

Chitarra with Octopus Ragout

Paccheri with Rabbit Fondant Stew

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Smoked Rabbit Casserole

Veal, Broccoli and Olive Skewers

"Agnello che senapi" (Charcoal cooked mountain Lamb with wild greens)

Shrimp burgers in aioli sauce

Sesonal Tuna Cuts with sweet&sour Onion and Green Sauce

Selection of BBQ Meats (Black Pig Sausage, Veal Tenderloin, Lamb ribs, Horse or Beef Meatballs)

Sarde a Beccafico (Stuffed Baked Sardines with Sweet&Sour salad)

Pumpkin Veal Rolls with Seasonal Vegetables

Lemon Pepper Swordfish Casserole

Lemon bathed daily catch with blossomed zucchini and capers pesto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mandarin Ricotta Fresh Cannolo

Almond blanc mange

Almond Granita with fresh Mulberries

Ancient Watermelon Pudding

Zuccotto Ice Cream

Wild Fennel Panna Cotta with Bitter Orange Candies

Regina Elena

Peach Crumble with Almond Ice Cream

Jasmin Soufflé, Modican Chocolate Fondue, Pistacho Icecream

Sospiro

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Vellutata di piselli, mandorle e menta

Insalata di Carciofi, Tofu marinato, Pesto di Finocchietto

Pappa al pomodoro, capperi e olive

Fritto misto di ortaggi di stagione

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tortiglioni al ragout di Broccoli e mollica tostata

Risotto agli Asparagi

Gnocchi di patate ai Peperoni

Spaghettone aglio e olio e Cardoncelli

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Carciofo ripieno su crema di patate e fave

Ortaggi di stagione in Bagna Cauda

Lattuga alla brace con salsa alle nocciole

Cotoletta di Melanzana con insalata piccante

Burger di Ceci e yogurt greco

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Biancomangiare alle Mandorle

Gelato alla frutta su crumble

Gelo d'arancia e fragole

Etna Stroll

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Wild Chickpea panelle with Verdello Lemon

Local grain sourdough bread bruschette with fresh ricotta, cured anchovies and spring onion

Heirloom tomatoes, cucumber and peach salad with breadcrumbs and and aged pecorino

Sicesar Salad

Black Pig meatballs with apricot and almond chutney

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Authentic Fresh Pasta alla Norma

"Pasta a Catanisi" (Artisanal Maccheroni with fresh anchovies, raisins and pinenuts)

Risotto with figs and aged ragusano cheese

Ricotta gnocchi with zucchini cream, mint and capers

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Veal rolls with sautéed greens and scamorza

Roasted Free range chicken thighs in sweet pepper sauce

Black bee glacéd Piglet loin and burnt eggplant

Sarde a Beccafico (Stuffed Baked Sardines with seasonal salad)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

"Cannolo espresso" (Freshly made Cannolo with ricotta and candied orange)

Almond blanc mange and its brittle

Ancient Watermelon Pudding

Volcanic Bites

STARTER

All inclusive

Fava bean veloute, wild fennel and black pig cheek

Fresh Ricotta and local anchovies bruschetta

Artichoke salad with Pecorino and green lemon

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Cuttlefish Ink Risotto

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

BBQ Stuffed Squid in Pantesca Sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

"Cannolo espresso" (Freshly made Cannolo with ricotta and candied orange)

Seashore Breeze

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Herbs Sand Clam Stew

Seasonal garden and shore fry

Citrus sautéed Mussels

Bruschette with roasted tomatoes, burrata and tuna bottarga

Chickpea panelle with Verdello Lemon

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"Pasta a Catanisi" (Artisanal Maccheroni with fresh anchovies and wild fennel)

"Risotto Mungibeddu" (Cuttlefish Ink Risotto with fresh ricotta)

Ancient Norma artisanal Maccheroni and double ricotta

Zucchini, mint and shrimp Risotto

Wild greens and Mussels Spaghetti

Calamarata (Squid, capers and candied lemon pasta)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"Tunnina cca Cipuddata" (Sesonal Tuna with sweet&sour Onion)

Amberjack Ghiotta

Sarde a Beccafico (Stuffed Baked Sardines with Sweet&Sour salad)

Lemon bathed daily catch with blossomed zucchini and capers pesto

BBQ Stuffed Squid in Pantesca Sauce

BBQ Swordfish Rolls with pine nuts and raisins

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

"Cannolo espresso" (Freshly made Cannolo with ricotta and candied orange)

"Torta al limone e mandorle" (Bitter almons and sweet lemon tart)

Baked Peach with almond icecream and brittle

Almond blanc mange

Ancient Watermelon Pudding

Traditional Cassata

Wild Fennel Panna Cotta with Bitter Orange Candies

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Chef Mario's reviews

4.81

•

42 services

Chef Mario was excellent. We enjoyed our dinner immensely and getting to know Chef Mario even more. Aside from being a talented chef, Mario is a really good person. What he does for underprivileged kids shows he’s a man of character as well as an outstanding chef. He made the evening fun and introduced us to real Sicilian tastes we didn’t have on the rest of our travels. We opted for his wine pairing and he gave us tastes of authentic and different wines we might not have tried on our own. Loved the experience and will cherish the memory.

Mario was amazing - we had a birthday dinner for my diabetic partner, plus several guests with food restrictions, and Mario was able to accommodate everyone, plus the food was delicious. Would highly recommend Mario and would definitely work with him again in the future.

Chef Mario was incredible!!! We were a group of 21, ranging in ages 1-72. He was thoughtful in our needs and the food was out of this world. Never have we had food of this caliber. He was also the kind and warm to the entire family. We consider him a friend and will always cherish our dinners with him.

Chef Mario was nothing less than spectacular. We had high expectations for the meal, but he blew us away and exceeded our expectations. Easily a core memory we will have with us from our trip to Sicily. Thank you Chef Mario!!

Words cannot describe how amazing my experience with Mario was. He was so unbelievably helpful from our start to finish. He cooked for me and my now fiancé(!) on our engagement meal and he truly cared about the whole evening which meant the world to us. The food was absolutely exceptional as well! I cannot recommend Mario more, friend for life!

Chef Mario was warm and attentive. Our entire family loved his conversation. His food was incredible and the story behind each dish was special. I mean truly delicious and I am so impressed at the preparation of each dish in such a limited kitchen! This is a night my family will never forget. Highly recommend this experience. Thank you Mario!

The team were wonderful. We were so happy with the service and food we received. We would happily do this again.

Chef Mario and his team were an absolute delight and provided my family & I with a wonderful dinner. He is an excellent communicator and worked with me to create the perfect Sicilian menu for my family. The dishes were so flavorful and brought the freshest ingredients. Our evening was outstanding! Thank you Chef Mario!

Chef Mario created a fantastic dinner for a group of us 10 visitors to Sicily in our vacation rental villa. He was gracious with our scheduling requests, explained the importance and the ingredients of each course, and left the villa kitchen perfectly clean afterwards.

We had the pleasure of having Chef Mario cook a Sicilian dinner for our family, and it was an unforgettable experience! Every dish was perfectly seasoned to bring out the best in each ingredient. You could really tell how fresh and carefully sourced everything was and that he bought all the ingredients fresh from the market. The wine pairings he selected were also spot-on. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a tasty Sicilian meal!

Chef Mario and his team were just excellent! Our group had quite a few allergies and food restrictions and they took on the challenge with no issues!! The food is absolutely delicious. Very authentic Sicilian cuisine! We also were lucky enough to have a wine pairing, which made it even more enjoyable! Chef Mario was able to create a wine list of at least eight bottles of wine for us to enjoy with our meal within our price range. This experience was absolutely unforgettable. We are so so grateful!!

Absolutely delicious food. Mario is a real pro and passionate about what he does. We booked only the day before and he still managed to introduce us to typical Sicilian food, with high quality ingredients and original twists. We wanted something authentic, generous, and not an imitation of a fancy restaurant, in this regard our experience was simply wonderful. Thank you!