Gems & Pearl: An Italian Culinary Journey brings accoladed Female Chefs from across Italy to Hong Kong
Tosca di Angelo at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong proudly celebrates the unbound talents of amazing female chefs from Italy with the “Gems & Pearl – An Italian Culinary Journey” (2019-2020 Edition), curated by acclaimed food personalities Andrea Petrini and Florent Bonnefoy. Over the next 12 months, Chef Angelo Aglianó, Director of Tosca di Angelo, is inviting five prominent chefs from Italy to work with him to craft unique Italian dishes for guests to relish and provide the opportunity for Hong Kong gourmets to meet these high- caliber international talents and savor their cuisines first hand.
For the first time, their five ambassadors, or “Gems”, are introduced to the Pearl of the Orient – Hong Kong – to work with the Tosca di Angelo team to create exclusive, one-off dishes melding the talents and unique styles of each chef with Chef Angelo’s. The Festival takes us from the inner Tuscan countryside to the Italian-Slovenian border; from the family rituals of Emilia- Romagna to Milan, center stage of elegance and design; and up to Salina Island, one of the best- kept gastronomic secrets in the Mediterranean. This all-exclusive, all-women line-up is ready to impress.
Valeria Piccini
Women Were Representations of Finesse and Gentleness
“When I was little, I lived with my mother and sisters back in Sicily. I used to think women were representations of finesse and gentleness. I never knew women could be so strong until I worked with a female restaurant director in Paris decades ago. Her passion and dedication to the kitchen and restaurant, not to mention the attention to details totally blew my mind,” Angelo recalls. “I am thrilled to welcome these amazing ladies from my home country to take the helm of Tosca di Angelo with me, curating unforgettable gourmet experiences that are going to impress our discerned diners.”
“I am proud to present this phenomenal guest chef series at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. This is Tosca di Angelo’s first time ever bringing in such immense female culinary talents. Without Angelo, the mastermind of this unique dining concept, and his talented team of ladies and gentlemen, this one-of-a-kind experience would not be possible,” says Pierre Perusset, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.
The one to inaugurate this culinary journey will be the legendary Valeria Piccini from Caino restaurant in Montemerano, recipient of two Michelin stars for more than 20 years. Coming all the way from her native Tuscan hometown to Hong Kong for the very first time, Chef Valeria will be showcasing her earthbound, sensual Tuscan cuisine of pasta, mushrooms and the most delicate juicy meats with Angelo’s sunny, ultramarine cuisine in a seven-course menu, priced at HK$1,998, on November 21 and 22, 2019. This is truly a meeting of two worlds and two cultures connected by a passion for Italian cuisine!
For reservations, please contact Restaurant Reservations at (852) 2263 2270 or via email to restaurantreservation.hk@ritzcarlton.com
About Valeria Piccini
Born in the late fifties in Maremma, southern Tuscany, Valeria cut her teeth into the culinary world at Caino kitchen in the beautiful medieval town of Montemerano as a right arm of Angela Menichetti, her mother-in-law, and eventually taking the helm from her mentor when Angela retired. Caino received its first Michelin star in 1991, the same year that she opened Enoteca Perbacco, selling homemade sauces and products. A second Michelin star was awarded in 1998, still sustained to this day, and in 2005 Valeria was elected Grand Chef for Relais & Chateaux.
Valeria expanded her culinary web by sharing her expertise as a consultant for hotels and restaurants garnering a Michelin star for Winter Garden by Caino at the St Regis, Florence. To experience Valeria’s cuisine is like a journey through time using innovative, light and modern techniques that not only respect seasonality and terroir, but also taking diners through eight centuries of culinary history that is recreated for the 21st century palate.
About Andrea Petrini & Florent Bonnefoy
Best known for being the Chair of the World Restaurant Awards, Andrea Petrini is a writer, journalist, food curator, cultural activist, and one of the most influential global food critics in the world. When he is not writing books or road-managing the avant-garde chefs’ posse GELINAZ!, he tours with art exhibition COOKBOOK, curated with French art theorist Nicolas Bourriaud.
Florent Bonnefoy is an entrepreneur, consultant and food curator working with clients on new food-related venture development, brand growth and experience design. A speaker at industry events, he also writes and publishes perspectives and stories on people behind good food, world cuisines, new luxury and the future of restaurant rating systems.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Occupying floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is the highest hotel in the world. The hotel’s 312 guestrooms all offer spectacular city and harbor views. The hotel also features six dining venues including the state-of-the-art Michelin- starred Italian restaurant, Tosca di Angelo; two-star Michelin Chinese restaurant, Tin Lung Heen; Almas Caviar Bar serving the finest selection of caviar and Balik salmon; The Lounge and Bar, which features an international all-day dining menu; and Café 103, which serves signature chocolate afternoon tea. The rooftop bar, Ozone, is truly a stunning venue at 490 meters above sea level. For those wishing to relax and indulge, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Hong Kong, located on the 116th floor, features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couple’s suites, redefining the urban spa experience in the city and across Asia. The 118th floor of the hotel is home to a fully equipped fitness center and an indoor pool area adorned with a 28m x 7m mirrored ceiling and high- resolution LED wall. Setting the benchmark for events in the region, the hotel boasts one of the largest ballrooms in the city at 870sqm. Complemented by an additional four meeting rooms, the ballroom has become the major social venue for Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/hongkong.
About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, MD., part of Marriott International, Inc., currently operates more than 100 hotels and over 45 residential properties in 30 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.ritzcarlton.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.