Chef Massimo Bottura expressed his excitement and nerves at the prospect of preparing meals for the G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia, emphasizing the need for perfection and meticulous organization in the kitchen. Despite not receiving any specific requests from attendees, Bottura outlined the menu, which includes a variety of dishes with underlying messages such as fighting food waste and supporting autism awareness through Tortellante, a workshop run by a family association for people with autism. The gastronomic journey for summit participants, titled ‘Vieni in Italia con me’ (Come to Italy with me), focuses on showcasing Italian culinary excellence from different regions of the country.
For the opening dinner hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Swabian Castle in Brindisi, Bottura has designed a menu featuring regional specialties. Dishes such as Campania’s Pane e Pomodoro, Adriatic Fish Soup with seafood from Venice’s lagoon, Sardinian Lobster Risotto, and Amalfi Coast Brodetto will be served alongside the chef’s signature dessert, ‘Ooop mi è caduta la crostatina’ (Oops, I dropped the tart), showcasing flavors from Sorrento lemons, Calabrian bergamots, and Noto almonds. The meal will be paired with a selection of wines including Ferrari, Jermann Vintage Tunina, Marchesi Antinori Tignanello, and others, providing a premium complement to the Italian dishes.
On the second day of the summit, Bottura plans to showcase specialties from Northern Italy, such as his take on Genoese pesto, ‘Tortellino del dito mignolo’ with Parmigiano Reggiano cream, and Fassona beef served with Barolo sauce and Abruzzo black truffle. The meal will also feature dessert with forest fruits in a milk and vanilla cream, paired with Fattoria Zerbina Scaccomatto wine. Upon departing after the buffet lunch on Saturday, leaders will receive a special gift of Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore, a prestigious sparkling wine, while non-drinkers will be gifted with bottles of Cedrata and Tonica Tassoni.
The meticulous planning and attention to detail in the menu and selection of wines reflect Bottura’s commitment to delivering a memorable and meaningful dining experience for the G7 summit participants. Through his culinary creations, the chef aims to not only delight the attendees’ taste buds but also convey important messages related to sustainability, regional diversity, and social awareness. The blend of traditional flavors and innovative twists in Bottura’s dishes, combined with the carefully curated wine pairings, promise to create a unique and unforgettable gastronomic journey for the world leaders gathered at Borgo Egnazia. The chef’s passion for food and his dedication to excellence shine through in every aspect of the menu, ensuring that the G7 summit meals will be a highlight of the event, leaving a lasting impression on all who partake in the culinary experience.
