The world’s most fêted chef, Massimo Bottura, is in the Capital. Head to The Leela Palace New Delhi to get a taste of Osteria Francescana’s maiden pop-up with two special dinners on 21st and 22nd April 2023.

When Chef Massimo Bottura comes calling, the world takes notice. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indian gourmets, Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace New Delhi present Osteria Francescana, rated as the Two-Time World No.1 restaurant by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and helmed by celebrity chef and philanthropist Massimo Bottura. Bottura and his team are in New Delhi for the first time, recreating the magic of their Three Michelin starred restaurant from Modena, Italy at the Leela Palace New Delhi on 21st and 22nd April 2023.

Massimo Bottura, the maestro chef from Italy, widely known for his innovative approach to Italian cuisine, was included as part of Time Magazine’s World’s 100 most influential people list and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A key ingredient in Chef Massimo’s food is the underlying social and environmental consciousness imbued in every dish he serves. As founder of non-profit organization Food for Soul, Bottura leverages his global platform to advocate for reduction of food waste and protecting the environment and biodiversity through sustainable cooking practices and ingredient sourcing. His commitment to sustainability echoes the eco-aware values championed by The Leela.

Chef Massimo Bottura plating a dish

Osteria Francescana, the 12-table restaurant he started in Modena in 1995, is widely recognized as one of the most difficult restaurant reservations in the world with a waiting list than goes into the thousands. The restaurant was awarded the title of ‘The World’s Best Restaurant’ on two occasions in 2016 and 2018 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

The special menu created for New Delhi features vegetarian and non-vegetarian renditions of Bottura’s signature and most iconic dishes such as ‘Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart’, ‘The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne’ and ‘Psychedelic Cod Not Flame Grilled’ amongst others.

“Food has long served as a bridge between many nations, cultures, and people,” says Anupam Dasgupta, General Manager, The Leela Palace, New Delhi. “At The Leela, we are committed to elevating our guests’ experiences by integrating thoughtful experiences that resonate with our guests’ passions. We are delighted to collaborate with Culinary Culture to bring Chef Massimo to the city and it is our privilege and honour to host him at The Leela Palace New Delhi. We look forward to the magical epicurean delight that Chef Massimo will curate and are excited to watch it unfold.”

“Namaste India, I’m bringing my team from Osteria Francescana in Modena to cook two amazing meals in New Delhi in partnership with Culinary Culture and The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts,” says Chef Massimo Bottura. “We are preparing a beautiful menu and I can’t wait to give everyone a warm hug!”

“It’s an honour to have Massimo and his team back with us in India,” says Raaj Sanghvi, CEO, Culinary Culture. “His dinners in Mumbai sold-out within minutes and we are anticipating an even greater response in Delhi. Bottura is much more than a chef, he is a global inspiration and uses his platform and stature to bring about positive changes in the world. At Culinary Culture our mission is to bring the best of the world to India and we are grateful to our partners The Leela Hotels and Diageo who have made this possible”.

During his last visit to India, Bottura wowed lucky diners in Mumbai with his spectacular rendition of Osteria Francescana and now Delhi can experience the genius of the world’s greatest chef.

With very limited seats available, guests are advised to reserve their experience for this extraordinary event priced at INR 55,555 plus taxes per person, to be held on 21st and 22nd April 2023. For reservations, contact: Ashish.arora@theleela.com Contact@culinaryculture.co