L’Uomo Vogue, and Milano Cucina hosted the 85th birthday celebration of world-renowned Visionary Chef Gualtiero Marchesi. All the proceeds from the evening were donated to the World Food Programme, the UN Humanitarian Agency, whichseeks to fight hunger byproviding food assistance to over 100 million people in 78 countries. Among the guests, were Editor in Chief of Vogue Italy Franca Sozzani, the Mayor of Milan, Giuliano Pisapia, Master Chefs Oldani, Berton, Knam (who created the impressive birthday cake), Pompili, Montinaro, Ghilardi and Francesco Vezzoli.

The venue was the Società Umanitaria of Milan. Both historic and perfect for the beautiful evening. Luckily, I work for Milano Cucina and had the honor to attend this lovely dinner gala. Here are some photos from the evening.

Beautiful setting at the historic Humanitarian Society of Milan.

With Gualtiero – surely he does not look his age!

In honor of the great Chef, the 5-course dinner paid homage to the dishes that set him apart and largely contrubuted to his fame and success. Gualtiero’s signature dishs: Traditional Milanese Saffron Risotto dressed with an edible golden square leaf, and his Dripping di Pesce – a seafood dish with red shrimp, calamari and drips of rare aged balsamic vinegar of Modena, mint pesto, roasted red pepper and cream sauces that reminded me of a Jackson Pollack.

Left: Saffron Risotto, Right: Dripping di Pesce

With my colleages: Julia Wohlers, Mara Trussardi and our CEO Marco Gualtieri.