MuteMaestro Massimo Bottura makes his South India debutCulinary 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, 25th April 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 25th and 26th April 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 24th April 2025.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 25th and 26th April 2025. Cost per person: INR 50,000 + taxes.For reservations and more information, please contact us at:📧 Ashish.arora@theleela.com📧 Contact@culinaryculture.coAbout The Leela Palace Bengaluru The Leela Palace Bengaluru is a decadent palace, nestled amidst seven acres of lush gardens featuring six floors of elegant and spacious 357 rooms and suites. Built in an art-deco form drawing inspiration from the architectural style of the Royal Palace of Mysore and the palaces of the Vijayanagar Empire, its copper domes, arches, and ornate ceilings reflect the grandeur of palaces of a bygone era. At The Leela Palace Bengaluru, you will be spoiled for choice with the plethora of globally acclaimed restaurants and bars. One can experience Regal Indian fare at Jamavar, indulge in Mediterranean Classics at Le Cirque Signature or head to Citrus, recognised as all-day dining restaurant. A must visit is India’s Best Bar, ranked #40 at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. The hotel in proximity to business hubs and key points of interest in the city.About The Leela Palaces, Hotels and ResortsThe Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is India’s only institutionally owned and managed pure-play luxury hospitality company. The Leela owns, operates, manages and develops luxury hotels and resorts under, “The Leela” brand which was ranked as #1 among the world’s best hospitality brands in 2020 and 2021, and among the world’s top three hospitality brands in 2023 and 2024, by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards Surveys. The company operates thirteen properties across key Indian business and leisure destinations, celebrating each hotel through its location, art, culture, and cuisine with bespoke services, celebratory rituals, and immersive experiences. Promoted by private equity funds managed and/or advised by affiliates of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., The Leela is committed to providing guests luxury experiences with premier accommodation, exclusivity and personalized service, inspired by the ethos of Indian hospitality. For more information, please visit our website www.theleela.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.About Culinary CultureCulinary Culture is India’s definitive voice in food, co-founded by Vir Sanghvi and Sameer Sain. As the country’s only authoritative, independent, and unbiased rating organization, it celebrates culinary excellence at every level—from fine dining to street food. Beyond ratings, Culinary Culture is known for bringing the world’s most celebrated chefs to India, including Massimo Bottura, Virgilio Martinez, Mauro Colagreco, Alain Ducasse, and Heston Blumenthal, while also providing a global platform for Indian chefs. It owns several pioneering intellectual properties, including Ultimate Restaurant Ratings, FoodSuperstars, Culinary Conversations, and StreetFoodSuperstars, and creates engaging culinary content throughout the year, shaping the future of India’s culinary landscape.Instagram: @CulinaryCultureCoWebsite: www.culinaryculture.coMedia Contacts:Zubair Kalsia +91 86579 73136Zubair.Kalsia@TheLeela.com
