Chef Mario Traina

Private Chef in Catania

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, artisanal ingredients are the way.

I graduated at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piedmont, studying food culture at many levels, and today after many years I work as Ambassador for the University itself, teach in schools with diverse backgrounds and light fires anywhere possible to cheer up lunch and dinners for many.

I am also an educator at a private foundation that works 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.

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

Autumn Stroll

STARTER

All inclusive

Bruschetta with Porcini, Rosemary and Black Pig Lard

Chickpea panelle with Verdello Lemon

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Black Pig Ragù Pasta with fresh Ricotta and Thyme

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Veal rolls with sautéed greens and smoked scamorza

DESSERT

All inclusive

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

Taste diggers!

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

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

Traditional Tiramisú

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

Lava Waves

STARTER

All inclusive

Tartare di gambero bianco, pesche tardive, pomodoro e capperi

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Fusilloni burro e salvia, alici marinate, Tumminia e limone

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Spatola all’eoliana

DESSERT

All inclusive

Gelo di Mellone al Gelsomino

Seashore Breeze

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Herbs Sand Clam Stew

Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Salad

Heirloom Roasted Tomatoes, Baked Ricotta and Fresh Anchovies

Grilled Vegetables with Almond Pesto

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

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

"Patati e Iammuru" (Charcoal baked potatoes and fresh shrimp)

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

Bruschette alla catanese with cauliflowers and anchovies

BBQ Artichokes in Green Sauce

Caponata al miele di Ape Nera

Caprese Soufflé

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

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

Etna Porcini Risotto with tangerine and almonds

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

"Pasta Incatramata" (Baked Pasta with creamy Broccoli and smoked cheese)

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

Ancient Norma artisanal Maccheroni and double ricotta

Summer truffle and red shrimp Risotto

Risotto Fava Beans and Mussels

Ravioli di ricotta, calamari e menta

Ravioli Ricotta e Porcini con Gambero Rosso

Vongole Linguine with Lemon Cloud

Calamarata (Squid, capers and candied lemon pasta)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

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

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

Amberjack Ghiotta

Shrimp burgers

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

Blind Joy

STARTER

All inclusive

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

Selection of 3 meat based appetisers based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 3 fish based appetisers based on market availability and daily inspiration

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Selection of 1 first course vegetable and cheese based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 1 first course meat based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 1 first course fish based on market availability and daily inspiration

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Selection of 1 main course vegetable and cheese based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 1 main course meat based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 1 main course fish based on market availability and daily inspiration

DESSERT

All inclusive

Selection of 1 dessert fruit based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 1 traditional dessert based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 1 gluten and dairy free dessert based on market availability and daily inspiration

Lava Bites

STARTER

Choose 2 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

Peek a bite

STARTER

All inclusive

Selection of 3 appetisers course vegetable and cheese based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 3 appetisers course meat based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 3 appetisers course fish based on market availability and daily inspiration

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

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

Selection of 2 First Courses meat based on market availability and daily inspiration

Selection of 2 First Courses fish based on market availability and daily inspiration

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

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

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

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

DESSERT

All inclusive

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

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

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

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Chef Mario's reviews

4.79

•

36 services

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!