Filtering by: events
MAY 5-10, 2025 -- ROCKROSE Retreat
May
5
to May 10
events, retreat

MAY 5-10, 2025 -- ROCKROSE Retreat

  • le case del principe pantelleria (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

ROCKROSE RETREAT

a 5-night springtime retreat on the island of Pantelleria

5-10 MAY, 2025

PANTELLERIA, SICILY — ITALY

The windswept island of Pantelleria is ruled by its extreme elements. My newest ROCKROSE retreat embraces both faces of this unique place with food/wine explorations featuring the best local ingredients and a bit of introspection in wondrous natural spaces.

  • rockrose [cisto/cistus creticus] is a medicinal plant that has been used therapeutically since ancient times on the rocky coasts of the Mediterranean. It’s been used to treat stress/anxiety; to aid in calming and relaxation, and it was used on Mount Olympus to heal Greek warriors. Rockrose is a “fire-follower” with seeds that can remain dormant for many years then stimulated to sprout by wildfires. Their pink/purple and white flowers speckle the black volcanic landscape of Pantelleria in springtime.

REGISTRATION: BOOK BY DECEMBER 15

  • Solo Traveller (private bedroom x1 and private bathroom) €2,450

  • Double Occupancy (private bedroom x2 and private bathroom) €1,945 per person

Local transportation, accommodations, all meals/bevs and activities are included during the retreat. Flights to Pantelleria are not included.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • communal family meals

  • lazy lunches with island friends 

  • in the fields with our favorite local plant expert

  • hiking in the national park with a guide

  • deep dive into wine, capers, and honey

  • distillation workshop + olfactory experience

  • island accommodations

ACCOMMODATIONS | Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

Le Case del Principe is a group of dammusi houses, tucked away on a private area of the northwest coast. These houses were built in the 1970's by Prince Paolo Sallier de La Tour and his wife Costanza Tasca d’Almerita.

Our carefully selected location is one of the very few places on the entire island where you’ll have direct access down to the sea. Guests will be hosted in shared dammusi houses. There are three large dammusi available and each house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious terrace overlooking the sea, indoor dining room, and outdoor patio with table/chairs/loungers. Each bedroom is set up with bed linens, bath towels and extra blankets.

ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a food/wine travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo, Sicily. From her sun-lit kitchen studio above the 1,000 year-old Ballarò food market, Linda works as a freelance writer, social media manager, and culinary communications consultant while still traveling regularly for private chef work with clients in the fashion and music industries. Under her brand, The Cheeky Chef, she is self-publishing a Sicilian food/wine ‘zine and designs a series of Mediterranean culinary/lifestyle retreats and travel experiences. Her travel guidebooks, Moon Southern Italy (2022) and Moon Sicily (2024) have been published with Hachette Book Group.

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MAY 18-24, 2025 -- Vino Volcanico on Mt. Etna
May
18
to May 24
events, retreat

MAY 18-24, 2025 -- Vino Volcanico on Mt. Etna

Vino Volcanico no. 6 | MT. ETNA

a food + natural wine trip with The Cheeky Chef on Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano

18—24 MAY, 2025

MT. ETNA, SICILY — ITALY

Vino Volcanico is back and we’re taking it to another part of the island of Sicily, the winemaking region of Mount Etna. This food/wine retreat is open to all (adult men/women)!

Chef Linda Sarris will lead a small group of guests through the wilderness of Mt. Etna. During the trip, you will be hosted in a gorgeous villa as we taste our way through wines/spirits produced by small artisanal growers. This 6-night retreat includes a fun-filled itinerary visiting friends on the volcano, who just happen to be experts in their fields. We’ll visit several small estates, dine out and have home-cooked family meals at the villa. I’m most excited about spending time at the table over long lunches at private vineyards and cooking for our group at our home-sweet-home for the week. 

I’ve wrangled my urge to over-schedule you with too many plans packed into the trip, so there will be free time to lounge poolside or take advantage of the glitz & glam of having your own private Sicilian villa.

For those who like to have a bit more structure, don’t worry we got it covered. Everything is reserved ahead of time and we have private drivers to help with transportation, but you can rest assured I will take care of everything for you and all meals/bevs/activities will be included. We’ll be sure to leave a little wiggle room in the plans for spontaneous Sicilian surprises.

REGISTRATION

EARLYBIRD PRICING — book before December 15th.

Rooms have one double-sized bed

  • Solo Traveller (private bedroom x1) €6,250

  • Double Occupancy (private bedroom x2) €4,250 per person

SAMPLE PROGRAM

All activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.

  • 6-night accommodations in our private villa

  • Sicilian breakfasts at home

  • A mix of family meals, restaurants, impromptu cookouts

  • Vineyard visits, al fresco lunches + natural wine tastings

  • Volcanic outdoor adventures! 

  • 1 hands-on cooking class

  • Free time poolside with a view of Mt. Etna in our backyard

  • Daily Italian aperitivo drinks/snacks in the late afternoon

  • High-end local transportation with professional English-speaking private drivers for all of our scheduled excursions

  • Round-trip group transfers from the Catania Airport. If you arrive outside of the meet-up time, you will be responsible for the cost of arriving at the villa but we will help organize it for you.

TOP SECRET ACCOMMODATIONS

Once a noble Etnean winery, our glamorous villa has been carefully transformed into an absolute paradise that is both luxurious and full of soul. Its spacious interiors spill out onto extensive terraces which, like the irresistible pool, are all surrounded by manicured Mediterranean gardens.

ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a food/wine travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo, Sicily. From her sun-lit kitchen studio above the 1,000 year-old Ballarò food market, Linda works as a freelance writer, social media manager, and culinary communications consultant while still traveling regularly for private chef work with clients in the fashion and music industries. Under her brand, The Cheeky Chef, she is self-publishing a Sicilian food/wine ‘zine and designs a series of Mediterranean culinary/lifestyle retreats and travel experiences. Her travel guidebooks, Moon Southern Italy (2022) and Moon Sicily (2024) have been published with Hachette Book Group.

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OCTOBER 6-11, 2024 - Ladies Trip!
Oct
6
to Oct 11
events, retreat

OCTOBER 6-11, 2024 - Ladies Trip!

  • le case del principe pantelleria (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

SOLD OUT — Vino Volcanico | no. 5

a Ladies-Only wine tasting trip with The Cheeky Chef on the Sicilian island of Pantelleria

foto by Lean Timms <3

OCTOBER 6-11, 2024

ISOLA DI PANTELLERIA, SICILIA - ITALIA

This Ladies-Only Wine Tasting Program is back! Perfect for friends, couples, mamma-daughter duos, sisters, and solo travelers.

Discover “the black pearl of the Mediterranean” during the 5th Ladies-Only, Vino Volcanico wine-lovers trip in Pantelleria. Take a look beyond Mount Etna to a whole other chapter in the history of Sicilian winemaking. Chef Linda Sarris will lead a small group of guests on a whirlwind of flavors from wild mountain herbs and freshly made tuma cheese to seasonal meals featuring capers, wild fennel, and local seafood. Learn about grapes, raisins, extreme agriculture, and Passito di Pantelleria DOC sweet wines, as well as traditional and natural winemaking techniques from the island.

This 5-day adventure includes a fun-filled itinerary with daily excursions and plenty of delicious things to eat and drink. October is an exciting time to be here! Follow the grapes from their volcanic soils and terraced vineyards to the cantinas with our locally-led guided tours and tastings. There will be free time to soak up the magic each night with communal family meal dinners at our dammusi houses overlooking the sea.

SAMPLE PROGRAM | All activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.

  • 5-night dammusi accommodations at Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

  • Vineyard visits with lunch + wine tastings

  • A visit to a local caper producer

  • 1 restaurant lunch

  • Daily breakfasts

  • A visit to a traditional giardino pantesco lava stone-walled garden

  • Light trek + picnic in Pantelleria’s national park

  • Communal dinners prepared by The Cheeky Chef

  • Relaxing dips in natural hot springs + free time to swim in our private beach cove

  • Round-trip airport transfers from the Pantelleria island airport PNL to the dammusi

  • Local transportation provided for excursions included in the itinerary

ACCOMMODATIONS | Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

Le Case del Principe is a group of dammusi houses, tucked away on a private area of the northwest coast. These houses were built in the 1970's by Prince Paolo Sallier de La Tour and his wife Costanza Tasca d’Almerita.

Our carefully selected location is one of the very few places on the entire island where you’ll have direct access down to the sea. Guests will be hosted in shared dammusi houses. There are three large dammusi available and each house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious terrace overlooking the sea, indoor dining room, and outdoor patio with table/chairs/loungers. Each bedroom is set up with bed linens, bath towels and extra blankets. Linda will provide you with a small welcome package with your program itinerary and basic toiletries.

October 6-11, 2024

I have kept the rates as low as possible for this program. I want it to be full of fun, adventurous women every single year and focused on affordable all-inclusive per day rates for travelers on a budget who still want to have a wonderful experience in Sicily without breaking the bank!

SOLD OUT

ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a private chef from New York City, now working in Palermo. She started her cooking career with an internship at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily right after graduating from The French Culinary Institute. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, she splits her time between cooking for female CEOs in New York, traveling for culinary/wellness retreats, and working as a food/travel consultant here in Sicily. Her travel guidebooks, Moon Southern Italy (2022) and Moon Sicily (2024) were published with the Hachette Book Group in the USA.

“Linda’s programs are a thoughtful, cultural and foodie infused experience that takes you beyond a typical ‘tour.’ She will introduce you to not only an incredible array of ventures every day that you’re with her, but to people and places that she deeply loves and wants to share with you.

The energy that you feel from her program will not only nourish your appetite – but your soul as well. Her programs create a kindred experience. Look no further and plan or join a trip with her. I promise you won’t want to leave in the end but you’ll come back home full of love, wine, laughs and a trip that you won’t ever forget.”
— Alexis | Portland, OR | vino volcanico no.2
“Linda’s Vino Volcanico program was absolutely incredible, truly a dream trip. The experience that you can have on the island of Pantelleria under Linda’s guidance is unsurpassed – the relationship that she has with the locals, with the food, the wine, with the island itself create the most immersive experience. You truly feel a part of the local culture when you are there. She created such an inclusive energy and exposed us to the best foods, the best wines, and the most beautiful landscapes. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
— Jessica | Texas | vino volcanico no.2
“Spending a week on Pantelleria with Cheeky was like being welcomed home by a long lost pal! I was a solo traveller but immediately felt safe as I stepped off the plane & was welcomed by a beautiful lunch of ladies. We ate beautiful food. Swam in the Mediterranean. Explored different parts of beautiful Pantelleria by day & got a real feel for the island & her locals who Linda knows personally & slept to the sound of the ocean each night. It was marvellous fun fuelled by copious amounts of marvellous wine & that lovely sense of just ‘being able to be’ with woman & not having to fuss about with men ”
— Mia | Sunshine Coast, Australia | vino volcanico no.2
“I surprised my husband with a trip to Pantelleria with Linda on the 2021 Vino Volcano tour. We were absolutely thrilled with everything Linda planned for us, and had the absolute time of our lives. Before we even reached Italy, Linda was so helpful with answering any questions I had. Once we got to Pantelleria, we were absolutely stunned by the beautiful black pearl of the mediterranean! The views from our Dammusi were incredible, and we felt very cozy and comfortable in the beautiful Dammuso Antico. Linda planned a great mix of activities and relaxation - it felt different from other vacations, as we were able to use her expansive contacts on the island to truly understand how the locals live, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of gorgeous local vineyards, restaurants, and natural wonders like hot springs and parks. Beyond her planning skills, she’s a fantastic chef - everything she made for our communal dinners was delicious and fresh, and we loved all the little surprises she worked into the trip. We left feeling fulfilled and refreshed. and can’t wait to come back. Thank you Linda!”
— Emily | NYC | vino volcanico no.1
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MAY 12-19, 2024 Sicily: A Different Italy
May
12
to May 19
events, public, travel program

MAY 12-19, 2024 Sicily: A Different Italy

photo: Katie June Burton for Snack Sicily

Sicily: A Different Italy

with Peggy Markel and Linda Sarris

May 12 — 19, 2024

PALERMO, REGALEALI, VITTORIA, MODICA, ORTIGIA

2 rooms still available

“Strong and elemental, Sicily retains an unconquered character and romantic spirit, and you can taste it in her food. Greek ruins dot the landscape. Arabian eggplants, lemons, saffron and nutmeg thrive in rich volcanic soil. Local artisans hand-make chocolates and cheeses. Sicilian dishes draw on history but abound with independent ideas and innovative interpretations that stand apart from the cuisine of mainland Italy.”

I would like to introduce you to my good friend Chef Linda Sarris who I have invited to join me again. Her love of Sicily is as deep as mine and her knowledge increases daily by living in Palermo over the Ballarò market.

Together, we will coil our way across this dramatic region from Palermo’s rowdy ancient markets, through the lesser-known entroterra, to Baroque Modica and the picturesque historic center of Siracusa on the island of Ortigia. We’ll take walks through the countryside, taste noble wines from famous vineyards, enter private kitchens, gentle olive groves and gardens bursting with flavor.

As we cross the island, Sicily reveals her secrets to us.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Double: $6,800 per person

Single supplement: + $1,137

additional info online

Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures

WHO WE ARE

Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures delivers personalized, educational, hands-on travel experiences that feed the soul. With a perpetual curiosity and reverence for the rich tapestry created by food and culture, Peggy Markel has designed and directed carefully hand-crafted food and culture trips around the world for 25 years. She is a pioneer not only in culinary travel, but was instrumental in bringing Slow Food to America and championing the farm to table movement as early as 1993.

WHAT WE DO

With each handcrafted experience, Peggy creates a container that allows her guests to relax immediately and drop beneath the surface. Good choices, deep relationships and loyalty have their benefits. It’s like traveling with a friend of a friend: someone you don’t know, but you feel like you do.

All of our trips are food-focused. Each itinerary is designed for immersion. But it’s not all about food. It’s about the art of living. We are the real deal and consider your experience and care paramount. Programs are built on long-term relationships, handpicked properties and carefully crafted itineraries.

The Cheeky Chef: Linda Sarris

WHO SHE IS

Linda Sarris was raised in a big Greek-American family with a Chef grandfather and a fisherman Dad. After studying at the French Culinary Institute and working a few stints in restaurant kitchens, Linda took off to sharpen her culinary skills in her own adventurous way - by working on a farm-to-table cooking school and wine estate in Sicily, spending two summers private-cheffing in Tuscany, consulting for restaurants in Romania and Colombia, and traveling for songwriting camps in Italy and France.

WHAT SHE DOES

Linda is a food/wine travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo. From her sun-lit studio kitchen above the 1,000-year-old Ballarò market, she works as a freelance writer and culinary communications consultant; while still traveling regularly for private chef work with clients in the fashion/music industries. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, Linda curates a series of culinary retreats, personalized travel itineraries, private sailing adventures, and chef-led market tours/tastings in Palermo. She is currently writing her second travel book with the Hachette Book Group and will be self-publishing an ingredient-focused mini’zine shortly after.

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MAY 5 — 10, 2024
May
5
to May 10
events, retreat

MAY 5 — 10, 2024

SOLD OUT — Vino Volcanico | ETNA

a food + natural wine trip with The Cheeky Chef on Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano

MAY 5 — 10, 2024

MT. ETNA, SICILY — ITALY

Vino Volcanico is back and we’re taking it to another part of the island of Sicily, the winemaking region of Mount Etna. This food/wine retreat is open to all!

SOLD OUT

Chef Linda Sarris will lead a small group of guests through the wilderness of Mt. Etna. During the trip, you will be hosted in a gorgeous villa as we taste our way through wines/spirits produced by small artisanal growers. This 5-night retreat includes a fun-filled itinerary visiting friends on the volcano, who just happen to be experts in their fields. We’ll visit several small estates, dine out at restaurants alternated with home-cooked family meals at the villa. I’m most excited about spending time at the table over long lunches at private vineyards and cooking for our group at our home-sweet-home for the week. 

I’ve wrangled my urge to over-schedule you with too many plans packed into the trip, so there will be free time to lounge poolside or take advantage of the glitz & glam of having your own private villa. For those who like to have a bit more structure, don’t worry we got it covered. Everything is reserved ahead of time and we have private drivers to help with transportation, but you can rest assured I will take care of everything for you and all meals/bevs/activities will be included. We’ll  be sure to leave a little wiggle room in the plans for spontaneous Sicilian surprises.

MAY 5 — 10, 2024

Vino Volcanico no. 4 on Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy)

SAMPLE PROGRAM

All activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.

  • 5-night accommodations in our private villa

  • Daily breakfasts

  • A mix of family meals, restaurants, impromptu cookouts

  • Vineyard visits with lunch + wine tastings

  • Volcanic outdoor adventures! 

  • A hands-on cooking class

  • Free time poolside 

  • Italian aperitivo drinks/snacks

  • Local transportation with English-speaking drivers for all itinerary excursions

  • Group transfers from the Catania Airport. If you arrive outside of the meet-up time, you will be responsible for the cost of arriving at the villa but we will help organize it for you.

TOP SECRET ACCOMMODATIONS

Once a noble Etnean winery, our glamorous villa has been carefully transformed into an absolute paradise that is both luxurious and full of soul. Its spacious interiors spill out onto extensive terraces which, like the irresistible pool, are all surrounded by manicured Mediterranean gardens.

ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a food/wine travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo, Sicily. From her sun-lit kitchen studio above the 1,000 year-old Ballarò food market, Linda works as a freelance writer, social media manager, and culinary communications consultant while still traveling regularly for private chef work with clients in the fashion and music industries. Under her brand, The Cheeky Chef, she is self-publishing a Sicilian food/wine ‘zine and designs a series of Mediterranean culinary/lifestyle retreats and travel experiences. Her first book, Moon Southern Italy, was published in 2022 with Hachette Book Group. The second book, Moon Sicily, will be released in March 2024.

View Event →
OCTOBER 9-14, 2023 - Ladies Trip!
Oct
9
to Oct 14
events, retreat

OCTOBER 9-14, 2023 - Ladies Trip!

  • le case del principe pantelleria (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Vino Volcanico | no. 3

a Ladies-Only winetasting trip with The Cheeky Chef on the Sicilian island of Pantelleria

SOLD OUT

foto by Lean Timms <3

OCTOBER 9-14, 2023

ISOLA DI PANTELLERIA, SICILIA - ITALIA

The Ladies-Only Wine Tasting Program is back! Perfect for friends, couples, mamma-daughter duos, sisters, and solo travelers.

Discover “the black pearl of the Mediterranean” during the 3rd annual Ladies-Only, Vino Volcanico wine-lovers trip to Pantelleria. Take a look beyond Mount Etna to a whole other chapter in the history of Sicilian winemaking. Chef Linda Sarris will lead a small group of guests on a whirlwind of flavors from wild mountain herbs and freshly made tuma cheese to seasonal meals featuring capers, wild fennel, and local seafood. Learn about grapes, raisins, extreme agriculture, and Passito di Pantelleria DOC sweet wines, as well as traditional and natural winemaking techniques from the island.

This 5-day adventure includes a fun-filled itinerary with daily excursions and plenty of delicious things to eat and drink. October is an exciting time to be here! Follow the grapes from their volcanic soils and terraced vineyards to the cantinas with our locally-led guided tours and tastings. There will be free time to soak up the magic each night with communal family meal dinners at our dammusi houses overlooking the sea.

SAMPLE PROGRAM

All activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.

  • 5-night dammusi accommodations at Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

  • Vineyard visits with lunch + wine tastings

  • A visit to a local caper producer

  • 1 restaurant lunch

  • Daily breakfasts

  • A visit to a traditional giardino pantesco lava stone-walled garden

  • Light hike + picnic in Pantelleria’s national park

  • Communal dinners prepared by The Cheeky Chef

  • Relaxing dips in natural hot springs + free time to swim in our semi-private beach cove

  • Round-trip airport transfers from the Pantelleria island airport PNL to the dammusi houses

  • Local transportation provided for excursions included in the itinerary

ACCOMMODATIONS | Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

Le Case del Principe is a group of dammusi houses, tucked away on a private area of the northwest coast. These houses were built in the 1970's by Prince Paolo Sallier de La Tour and his wife Costanza Tasca d’Almerita.

Our carefully selected location is one of the very few places on the entire island where you’ll have direct access down to the sea. Guests will be hosted in shared dammusi houses. There are three large dammusi available and each house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious terrace overlooking the sea, indoor dining room, and outdoor patio with table/chairs/loungers. Each bedroom is set up with bed linens, bath towels and extra blankets. Linda will provide you with a small welcome package with your program itinerary and basic toiletries.

OCTOBER 9-14, 2023 — SOLD OUT

If you would like to join the waitlist, please send a request to: thecheekychef@gmail.com

ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a private chef from New York City, now working in Palermo. She started her cooking career with an internship at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily right after graduating from The French Culinary Institute. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, she splits her time between cooking for female CEOs in New York, traveling for culinary/wellness retreats, and working as a food/travel consultant here in Sicily. Linda’s first book was published in April 2022 with the Hachette Book Group in the USA and the second book is currently in the works.

“Linda’s programs are a thoughtful, cultural and foodie infused experience that takes you beyond a typical ‘tour.’ She will introduce you to not only an incredible array of ventures every day that you’re with her, but to people and places that she deeply loves and wants to share with you.

The energy that you feel from her program will not only nourish your appetite – but your soul as well. Her programs create a kindred experience. Look no further and plan or join a trip with her. I promise you won’t want to leave in the end but you’ll come back home full of love, wine, laughs and a trip that you won’t ever forget.”
— Alexis | Portland, OR | vino volcanico no.2
“Linda’s Vino Volcanico program was absolutely incredible, truly a dream trip. The experience that you can have on the island of Pantelleria under Linda’s guidance is unsurpassed – the relationship that she has with the locals, with the food, the wine, with the island itself create the most immersive experience. You truly feel a part of the local culture when you are there. She created such an inclusive energy and exposed us to the best foods, the best wines, and the most beautiful landscapes. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
— Jessica | Texas | vino volcanico no.2
“Spending a week on Pantelleria with Cheeky was like being welcomed home by a long lost pal! I was a solo traveller but immediately felt safe as I stepped off the plane & was welcomed by a beautiful lunch of ladies. We ate beautiful food. Swam in the Mediterranean. Explored different parts of beautiful Pantelleria by day & got a real feel for the island & her locals who Linda knows personally & slept to the sound of the ocean each night. It was marvellous fun fuelled by copious amounts of marvellous wine & that lovely sense of just ‘being able to be’ with woman & not having to fuss about with men ”
— Mia | Sunshine Coast, Australia | vino volcanico no.2
“I surprised my husband with a trip to Pantelleria with Linda on the 2021 Vino Volcano tour. We were absolutely thrilled with everything Linda planned for us, and had the absolute time of our lives. Before we even reached Italy, Linda was so helpful with answering any questions I had. Once we got to Pantelleria, we were absolutely stunned by the beautiful black pearl of the mediterranean! The views from our Dammusi were incredible, and we felt very cozy and comfortable in the beautiful Dammuso Antico. Linda planned a great mix of activities and relaxation - it felt different from other vacations, as we were able to use her expansive contacts on the island to truly understand how the locals live, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of gorgeous local vineyards, restaurants, and natural wonders like hot springs and parks. Beyond her planning skills, she’s a fantastic chef - everything she made for our communal dinners was delicious and fresh, and we loved all the little surprises she worked into the trip. We left feeling fulfilled and refreshed. and can’t wait to come back. Thank you Linda!”
— Emily | NYC | vino volcanico no.1
View Event →
OCTOBER 10-15, 2022 - Ladies Trip!
Oct
10
to Oct 15
events, retreat

OCTOBER 10-15, 2022 - Ladies Trip!

  • le case del principe pantelleria (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Vino Volcanico | no. 2

a Sicilian wine week with The Cheeky Chef on the island of Pantelleria

— SOLD OUT—

ISOLA DI PANTELLERIA, SICILIA - ITALIA

Launching my first all-female trip!

Perfect for friends, couples, mamma-daughter duos, sisters, and solo travelers!

Discover “the black pearl” of the Mediterranean on our Vino Volcanico wine-lovers trip to Pantelleria. Take a look beyond Mount Etna to a whole other chapter in the history of Sicilian winemaking!

Chef Linda Sarris will lead our small group of guests on a whirlwind of flavors from wild mountain herbs and freshly made tuma cheese to seasonal meals featuring capers, wild fennel, and local seafood. Learn about the world of passito as well as traditional and natural winemaking techniques from the island.

Our 5-day adventure will include family meals together and daily excursions around the island. Follow the grapes from their volcanic soils and terraced vineyards to the cantina with our professional guided tours and tastings. There will be plenty of time to soak up the magic each night with relaxing dinners together at our dammusi houses overlooking the sea!

SAMPLE PROGRAM | all activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.

  • 5-night dammusi accommodations at Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

  • local transportation provided for excursions included in the itinerary

  • 3 vineyard visits with lunch + tastings

  • visit to a local caper producer

  • 1 restaurant lunch

  • daily breakfasts

  • visit to a traditional giardino pantesco lava stone walled garden

  • light hike and picnic in Pantelleria’s national park mountains

  • communal dinners prepared by The Cheeky Chef

  • relaxing dip in the island’s natural hot springs + free time to swim in our semi-private beach cove, weather permitting

  • round-trip airport transfers from the Pantelleria island airport PNL to the dammusi houses

ACCOMMODATIONS | Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

Le Case del Principe are tucked away on a private area of the northwest coast, only 6km from the town center and 3km from the island's airport. These houses were built in the 1970's by Prince Paolo Sallier de La Tour and his wife Costanza, who created this little oasis of peace and relaxation in the place they loved. Our location is one of the only on the entire island where you have direct access down to the sea, just outside of your doorstep.

We have seven traditional stone "dammusi", each far enough from the others to ensure its own privacy and silence. Each of our dammusi rental homes are fully equipped with a kitchen and a large terrace overlooking the sea. Our houses are simply furnished with a tasteful island style to make your stay as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Every house has a spacious terrace equipped with a dining table, chairs and deck-chairs, an outdoor shower and a barbecue.

Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a basket of fresh fruit and a bottle of our family wine (Sallier de La Tour – Tasca d’Almerita). Every bedroom is set up with bed linens and bath towels.

SOLD OUT | Send a request for the waitlist or updates for the next Vino Volcanico program | thecheekychef@gmail.com

ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a private chef from New York City, now working in Palermo. She started her cooking career with an internship at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily right after graduating from The French Culinary Institute. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, she splits her time between cooking for female CEOs in New York, traveling for culinary/wellness retreats, and working as a food/travel consultant here in Sicily. Linda’s first book was published in April 2022 with the Hachette Book Group in the USA and the second book is currently in the works.

“I surprised my husband with a trip to Pantelleria with Linda on the 2021 Vino Volcano tour. We were absolutely thrilled with everything Linda planned for us, and had the absolute time of our lives. Before we even reached Italy, Linda was so helpful with answering any questions I had. Once we got to Pantelleria, we were absolutely stunned by the beautiful black pearl of the mediterranean! The views from our Dammusi were incredible, and we felt very cozy and comfortable in the beautiful Dammuso Antico. Linda planned a great mix of activities and relaxation - it felt different from other vacations, as we were able to use her expansive contacts on the island to truly understand how the locals live, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of gorgeous local vineyards, restaurants, and natural wonders like hot springs and parks. Beyond her planning skills, she’s a fantastic chef - everything she made for our communal dinners was delicious and fresh, and we loved all the little surprises she worked into the trip. We left feeling fulfilled and refreshed. and can’t wait to come back. Thank you Linda!”
— Emily | NYC
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MAY 15-22, 2022
May
15
to May 22
events, public, travel program

MAY 15-22, 2022

photo: Katie June Burton for Snack Sicily

photo: Katie June Burton for Snack Sicily

Sicily: A Different Italy

May 15-22, 2022

— SOLD OUT—

PALERMO > REGALEALI > RAGUSA > MODICA > NOTO > ORTIGIA

with Peggy Markel and Linda Sarris

“Strong and elemental, Sicily retains an unconquered character and romantic spirit, and you can taste it in her food. Greek ruins dot the landscape. Arabian eggplants, lemons, saffron and nutmeg thrive in rich volcanic soil. Local artisans hand-make chocolates and cheeses. Sicilian dishes draw on history but abound with independent ideas and innovative interpretations that stand apart from the cuisine of mainland Italy.”

I would like to introduce you to my good friend Chef Linda Sarris who I met at Regaleali some years ago. Her love of Sicily is as deep as mine and her knowledge increases daily by living in Palermo over the Ballarò market. She has an infectious smile, like she might be up to something.

I have invited Linda to join me this time as we coil our way across this dramatic region from Palermo’s rowdy ancient food markets, through the lesser-known entroterra, home to noble wine estates, ending in coastal fishing villages. We’ll make a pilgrimage to Modica for hand-produced chocolates and Noto for the world’s best gelato. We’ll take walks through the countryside, taste wine from famous vineyards, enter private kitchens, gentle olive groves and gardens bursting with flavor. As we cross the island, Sicily reveals her secrets to us.

BOOKING:

Double: $5,683 per person | Single supplement: $995

additional info online

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Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures

WHO WE ARE

Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures delivers personalized, educational, hands-on travel experiences that feed the soul. With a perpetual curiosity and reverence for the rich tapestry created by food and culture, Peggy Markel has designed and directed carefully hand-crafted food and culture trips around the world for 25 years. She is a pioneer not only in culinary travel, but was instrumental in bringing Slow Food to America and championing the farm to table movement as early as 1993.

WHAT WE DO

With each handcrafted experience, Peggy creates a container that allows her guests to relax immediately and drop beneath the surface. Good choices, deep relationships and loyalty have their benefits. It’s like traveling with a friend of a friend: someone you don’t know, but you feel like you do.

All of our trips are food-focused. Each itinerary is designed for immersion. But it’s not all about food. It’s about the art of living. We are the real deal and consider your experience and care paramount. Programs are built on long-term relationships, handpicked properties and carefully crafted itineraries.

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The Cheeky Chef: Linda Sarris

WHO SHE IS

Linda Sarris was raised in a big Greek-American family with a Chef grandfather and a fisherman Dad. After studying at the French Culinary Institute and working a few stints in restaurant kitchens, Linda took off to sharpen her culinary skills in her own adventurous way - by working on a farm-to-table cooking school and wine estate in Sicily, spending two summers private-cheffing in Tuscany, consulting for restaurants in Romania and Colombia, and traveling for songwriting camps in Italy and France.

WHAT SHE DOES

Linda is a food/wine travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo. From her sun-lit studio kitchen above the 1,000-year-old Ballarò market, she works as a freelance writer and culinary communications consultant; while still traveling regularly for private chef work with clients in the fashion/music industries. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, Linda curates a series of culinary retreats, personalized travel itineraries, private sailing adventures, and chef-led market tours/tastings in Palermo. She is currently writing her first travel book with Hachette Book Group and will be self-publishing an ingredient-focused mini’zine this winter.

View Event →
OCT 16-21, 2021
Oct
16
to Oct 21
events, retreat

OCT 16-21, 2021

  • le case del principe pantelleria (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Vino Volcanico

a Sicilian wine week with The Cheeky Chef on the island of Pantelleria

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VINO VOLCANICO

a Sicilian wine week with The Cheeky Chef on the island of Pantelleria


— SOLD OUT —

ISOLA DI PANTELLERIA, SICILY - ITALY

Discover “the black pearl” of the Mediterranean on our Vino Volcanico wine-lovers trip to Pantelleria. Take a look beyond Mount Etna to a whole other chapter in the history of Sicilian winemaking!

Chef Linda Sarris will lead our small group of guests on a whirlwind of flavors from wild mountain herbs and freshly made tuma cheese to seasonal meals featuring capers, wild fennel, and local seafood. Learn about the world of passito as well as traditional and natural winemaking techniques from the island.

Our 5-day adventure will include family meals together and daily excursions around the island. Follow the grapes from their volcanic soils and terraced vineyards to the cantina with our professional guided tours and tastings. There will be plenty of time to soak up the magic each night with relaxing dinners together at our dammusi houses overlooking the sea!

SAMPLE PROGRAM | all activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.

  • 5-night dammusi accommodations at Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

  • local transportation provided for excursions included in the itinerary

  • 3 vineyard visits with lunch + tastings

  • visit to a local caper producer

  • 1 restaurant lunch

  • daily breakfasts

  • visit to a traditional giardino pantesco lava stone walled garden

  • light hike and picnic in Pantelleria’s national park mountains

  • communal dinners prepared by The Cheeky Chef

  • relaxing dip in the island’s natural hot springs + free time to swim in our semi-private beach cove, weather permitting

  • round-trip airport transfers from the Pantelleria island airport PNL to the dammusi houses

ACCOMMODATIONS | Le Case del Principe Pantelleria

Le Case del Principe are tucked away on a private area of the northwest coast, only 6km from the town center and 3km from the island's airport. These houses were built in the 1970's by Prince Paolo Sallier de La Tour and his wife Costanza, who created this little oasis of peace and relaxation in the place they loved. Our location is one of the only on the entire island where you have direct access down to the sea, just outside of your doorstep.

We have seven traditional stone "dammusi", each far enough from the others to ensure its own privacy and silence. Each of our dammusi rental homes are fully equipped with a kitchen and a large terrace overlooking the sea. Our houses are simply furnished with a tasteful island style to make your stay as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Every house has a spacious terrace equipped with a dining table, chairs and deck-chairs, an outdoor shower and a barbecue.

Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a basket of fresh fruit and a bottle of our family wine (Sallier de La Tour – Tasca d’Almerita). Every bedroom is set up with bed linens and bath towels.

PRICING

Solo Travelers:

€950 — private bedroom and bathroom in a shared two-bedroom dammuso

€1300 — a private dammuso house all to yourself

Couples or Friends:

€800/person — double bedroom and private bathroom in a shared two-bedroom dammuso

€1200/person — a private dammuso house for two

Send a request for registration | thecheekychef@gmail.com

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ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef

Linda Sarris is a private chef from New York City, now working in Palermo. She started her cooking career with an internship at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily right after graduating from The French Culinary Institute. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, she splits her time between cooking for female CEOs in New York, traveling for culinary/wellness retreats, and working as a food/travel consultant here in Sicily. Her newest project SNACK Sicily is an ingredient-focused guide to eating + drinking your way through Sicily like a local. Volume 1 of SNACK will be published in 2021. www.snacksicily.com

portrait by Katie June Burton | www.katiejuneburton.com

portrait by Katie June Burton | www.katiejuneburton.com

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Nov
11
2:00 PM14:00
nyc, events, public

NOVEMBER 11, 2017

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Saturday, November 11
2:00 - 4:30 PM | MACY'S HERALD SQUARE | NYC

FABRIZIA LANZA of the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily is coming to New York for a wonderful Chef Demonstration and tasting at the De Gustibus Cooking School located inside MACY'S.

Sicily, one of the most popular destinations for culinary travel, will shine in our classroom as we feature the rustic charm of the sunny island with Fabrizia Lanza of the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School. This is the rare opportunity to learn from this internationally recognized teacher who pays homage to the earthy, sacred flavors of Sicily with time-honored recipes and a slow-food perspective. Dishes will be paired with award- winning wines from Tasca d’Almerita, the family’s 200-year-old agricultural estate. 

De Gustibus Cooking School, 151 West 34th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10001

$100 per person | TICKETS  info@degustibusnyc.com

MENU

  • Pizzetta con aglio olio e origano
  • Panelle
  • Pasta con Broccoli
  • Calamari Ripieni
  • Biancomangiare
  • wines provided by Tasca d'Almerita: Almerita Brut Contea di Sclafani DOC 2011, Grillo Cavallo delle Fate 2016, Nero D'Avola 2015, Diamante
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Sep
14
7:00 PM19:00
events, nyc, public

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

CHEEKY CRAB BOIL AT ROCKAWAY BEACH

RSVP http://getcrabs.bpt.me | $40/person

Low Tide Bar | 97-01 Shorefront Pkwy. Rockaway Park, NY 11693

The Cheeky Chef and Dawn Mauberret Events are teaming up to throw an all-you-can-eat crab boil at the Low Tide Bar on Rockaway Beach 97. Take a ride on the A train and get your butt to Rockaway Park for a sunset crab boil on Wednesday, September 14th. 

Join us for a finger-licking good time. Your girl, Linda Lou, will be throwing old bay steamed blue crabs, littleneck clams, local corn + watermelon on the tables. Low Tide Bar will be open for bevs. Wooden mallets + bibs will be provided for your instagramming pleasure. #cheekycrabboil

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