MAESTRO MASSIMO BOTTURA MAKES HIS SOUTH INDIA DEBUT

Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace Bengaluru to host Osteria Francescana’s first time in the city, with two exclusive dinners on 25th and 26th April 2025

Bengaluru, April 20, 2025: Culinary enthusiasts and connoisseurs are in for an extraordinary experience as the culinary legend, Massimo Bottura, brings his renowned Osteria Francescana—twice named ‘The World’s Best Restaurant’ by The World’s 50 Best—to Bengaluru for the very first time. The events follow the successful partnership established between The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, Culinary Culture, and the culinary genius himself, who, after presenting sold-out dinners in New Delhi in 2023 and 2024, have come together to bring the experience to South India on April 25th & 26th 2025. Chef Bottura will recreate the magic of Osteria Francescana exclusively at Le Cirque Signature at The Leela Palace Bengaluru.

Massimo Bottura is widely regarded as one of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, best known for his Three-Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. Renowned for its bold reinvention of Italian cuisine that blends tradition with contemporary creativity, the restaurant has twice been named the Best Restaurant in the World by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants—in 2016 and 2018. Bottura’s creativity and mastery have earned him numerous accolades, including a Michelin Green Star for his dedication to sustainability and the prestigious Maestro dell’Arte della Cucina Italiana (Master of the Art of Italian Cuisine) award from the Italian Government, cementing his status as a visionary in the culinary world.

Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Bottura is celebrated not only for his culinary artistry but also for his passionate philanthropy. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and founder of the non-profit organization Food for Soul, he actively champions sustainability and food waste reduction— principles that align perfectly with The Leela’s commitment to sustainability. His unwavering commitment to culinary excellence and social responsibility continues to inspire the global culinary community and beyond.

Under Bottura’s visionary leadership, Osteria Francescana continues to be featured among the world’s finest restaurants. His masterful dishes, such as ‘Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart,’ ‘The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne,’ and ‘Psychedelic Cod Not Flame Grilled,’ will be part of the exclusive menu prepared for Bengaluru’s diners. As part of this unique experience, Bottura will also participate in an interactive session where he will converse with Vir Sanghvi, India’s foremost food authority and Chairman of Culinary Culture, offering a rare glimpse into his culinary philosophy as a precursor to the two dinners on 24^th April.

Speaking on this one-of-a-kind collaboration, Madhav Sehgal, Area Vice President (South) – The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “The Leela Palace Bengaluru has established itself as the epicurean epicenter of South India. By bringing some of the world’s finest culinary talent to the city for the first time — and selling out — we’re seeing a clear endorsement from the market. It’s a testament to both Bengaluru’s evolving palate and the strength of our partnerships with gurus of epicuraean business and F&B visionaries, making this a great success”.

Vir Sanghvi, Chairman, Culinary Culture, added, “It’s an honour to welcome Massimo and his team to Bengaluru for the first time. Massimo Bottura is more than just a chef—he is a visionary who uses his platform to inspire meaningful change worldwide. His admiration for India’s culture and cuisine is evident, and each visit brings invaluable learning and exchange. At Culinary Culture, our mission is to bring the world’s finest culinary experiences to India, and we are grateful to our partners, The Leela Hotels and Diageo, for making this exceptional collaboration possible.”

Chef Massimo Bottura, expressing his excitement about his debut in Bengaluru, said, “Namaskara, Bengaluru! I am thrilled to visit your beautiful city for the first time with my team from Osteria Francescana. With Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace Bengaluru, we are preparing two special dinners featuring my most iconic dishes. I love India—the food, the culture, and the people—and I cannot wait to give you all a big Italian hug!”

This exclusive event marks Bengaluru’s opportunity to experience the brilliance of one of the world’s most celebrated chefs. Seats are limited, and guests are encouraged to secure their reservations as soon as possible for this once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experience.

The dinners with Chef Massimo Bottura  at Le Cirque Signature, The Leela Palace Bengaluru will be held on April 25th and 26th, 2025. Cost per person: INR 50,000 + taxes.