from Regaleali, Italy

Marchese Anna Tasca Lanza, author of The Heart of Sicily and The Flavors of Sicily, shares her love of Sicily and her family estate, Regaleali, with a chosen few by opening her home and teaching cooking classes in the spring and fall.  Regaleali is a self-sufficient estate owned by Count and Countess Tasca d'Almerita, producing all of its vegetables, fruits, wheat, wine, grapes, olives, cheese and meats. It is located in the center of Sicily, about one and a half hours' drive from Palermo.

In her teaching, Anna combines her love of food produced in her native island of Sicily with the history and stories of the people. She teaches recipes of the season when the products are at their peak, foods famous in local villages around of Sicily and treasured recipes traditionally served at holidays and feast days. Anna grew up dining on the great traditional Sicilian baronial cuisine prepared by their monzł Mario Lo Menzo.  These recipes have always been a closely guarded secret within the homes of the wealthy landowners. However, Anna learned from Chef Menzo and shares with her students.

Because of Anna's love of her family history, she graciously welcomes students into her home to share in what is becoming a lost tradition.  Tastings of the Regaleali wines is greatly appreciated after wandering through the vineyards of the estate and touring the winery on the property.   Anna even shares the sun-dried tomatoes, the Salsa di Pomodoro Passata and preserves that she lovingly prepares herself. Students feel at home as they visit all the nooks and crannies of this estate, meeting all the workers,  watching sheep being milked and Pecorino and ricotta cheeses being made, baking bread in the outdoors wood burning oven. They enjoy the comfortable sitting areas where Anna can often be found making lace for her granddaughter's trousseau.