Cantina La Contea

At the foot of Mount Etna, where the La Contea winery was created out of pure family love for the land, chef Mirko Pappalardo conjures up his culinary wonders. Mirko, originally from Catania, has been the creative soul of La Contea's kitchen for two years and has fallen head over heels in love with this "magical place".

Mirko's secret lies in a wealth of experience from Italy and the wider world, coupled with a philosophy that emphasises simplicity and spontaneity. He loves to emphasise the quality of local ingredients and turn every dish into a real journey. His cuisine is his personal signature, authentic and unmistakable. When a guest tastes his creation and savours his thoughts and passion, Mirko is happy.

He presents Sicilian arancino as a taster of his culinary skills. And not just any arancino, but one made the grandparents' way, with a savoury ragù sauce and creamy fontina cheese. From the perfectly cooked rice to the crispy breadcrumbs - there is love in every bite. Mirko Pappalardo is a true artist in the kitchen who brings the soul of Sicily directly to the plate.