Giovanna Bellia La Marca

Teaches at The Institute of Culinary Education

Giovanna Bellia La Marca, teaches regional Italian cooking at ICE including Essentials of Sicilian Cooking, a class on the variety of wonderful desserts made with Pan di Spagna, the delicious Italian sponge cake and Sicilian Feast, which offers a unique menu of Sicilian specialties and takes its name from the title of her book “Sicilian Feasts”. She also conducts guided walking tours of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, helping guests discover the marvels of this Little Italy. Her books, Sicilian Feasts, Travel and Language Guide to Sicily, and the Cooking of Emilia Romagna, planned for Spring 2010 publication, reflect her love for her native country and her knowledge of its rich history and the diversity of cooking traditions. Coming from a family of passionate cooks that trace their lineage to Monzu’ Antonino Sirugo, a professional chef trained as a 19th century professional, Chef La Marca continues a family tradition by cooking, writing and lecturing to pass on her appreciation of the fine cuisine of her native country.