Giftdiaries x SAT Group Taormina

Today we launch our brand new series, “Gift Diaries”. We reached out to some of the fantastic local activities on our Activitygift Platform to discover the inspiration behind their journey. The series begins with an interview with Mimmo, head chef of one of Sat Group Taormina’s Sicilian cooking schools. Check out the full interview, where he talks more about cooking and the whole experience!

What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is meeting the students and being curious to get to know them. I love observing different ethnicities, nationalities and cultures. During the lessons there are often 6 to 10 nationalities, each with their own customs. To communicate with this diverse group, I use a lot of my humor that brings relationships and communication together.

Can you tell us something about your trip? What inspired you to start your business?
I started my business in Sicily in 2012 after a special request from an Australian traveller. Coincidentally, the first edition of Masterchef also started in that year. Thanks to this first opportunity, I revealed a hidden talent and a new vision of catering.

What is your favorite dish to make and why?
My favorite dish is fresh handmade pasta with sauce. It brings back memories of the Sundays I spent with my family, with my grandmother as the first cook, my father as the second, and me as the third. I learned to cook when I was 10 years old by watching them cook for the family.

What is the most common mistake in the kitchen?
The most common mistake is measuring ingredients, students often accidentally add other ingredients.

What was the most memorable lesson you ever taught?
I remember a class where one of the students, carried away by the joy of cooking, began to dance and sing to the tunes of “Mambo Italiano”, a song we often use as a background for the lessons. At that moment, the whole class was swept up in the joy of gathering together.

Describe your activity in 3 words.
Nice
Interesting
Educational

I’m going to Taormina, what is the 1 thing I have to do?
In addition to the cooking class, you can take a nice walk through the historic center, breathe in the delicious smells of cooking in the alleys and visit the antique theater. It’s all within walking distance in Taormina.

What is the most grateful reaction you see during your lessons?
When the students say the cooking class was beyond expectations. One time, a client mentioned that he had visited Taormina twice and tried the experience with 2 other chefs, who decided that my cooking class was the best! That made me very proud….

What makes your activity unique?
Let students enjoy a dish they have made themselves.

Do you have any final wisdom or advice for someone wanting to embark on a unique experience?
Don’t imitate but personalize.

Thanks to Chef Mimmo from Sat Group Taormina for chatting with us! Keep an eye out for more editions of our ‘Gift Diaries’ series.