Authentic Italian Gastronomy At Shangri-La Hotels

Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, announces a joint programme with the Italian Trade Commission, to introduce authentic Italian gastronomy throughout many of Shangri-La hotels in Asia, starting June 2004.

The programme will include three components: training workshops; food promotions; design concept enhancement for Shangri-La's existing and new Italian restaurants.

Twelve chefs from twelve of the group's hotels in Asia including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, will go through an eight-day intensive training in Hong Kong from 21 to 28 June, conducted by experts from Italy: Mario Musoni and Theo Penati from the cooking school ALMA – La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana; and Massimo Billetto from wine institute Istituto del Vino Italiano di Qualita Grandi Marchi.

The training courses include culinary creativity based on authentic Italian cuisine; restaurant management; food promotions; food and beverage procurement; preparation of Italian menu; management of service staff; and marketing activities to promote the image of the restaurant.

Upon completion of the training, in collaboration with Italian Trade Commission, a new menu and wine list will be implemented in the Italian restaurants in these twelve hotels.

Following the training, Italian food promotions will be organised in eight cities in China in the coming autumn. Lasting for eight days in each city, the food promotions will be presented by two chefs and a sommelier from Italy, organised by Italian Trade Commission.

Supported by I.C.E., experts from Italy including architect and interior designer will also be invited to introduce the latest concepts and innovation of Italian restaurants, to five Shangri-La hotels in China.

The programme is planned to take place in China, covering various aspects such as culinary creativity of authentic Italian restaurant; furnishing and settings; cutlery and table linen; audio / video combination; management of service staff; and many more. These ideas and concepts will be implemented where a new Italian restaurant is developed or an existing Italian restaurant to be upgraded.

Commenting on these extensive programmes, Jean Michel Offe, Shangri-La's Group Director of Food & Beverage, said: To strengthen our commitment to the tradition of Italian cuisine in our hotels, and with the support of I.C.E., we aim to create an Italian restaurant concept of a relaxing yet sophisticated dining environment, while the cuisine is a blend of modern and traditional Italian flavours, authenticity is the key.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages 42 hotels in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, with a rooms inventory of over 21,000. The group has over 20 projects under development in Australia, China, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

The Italian Institute for foreign Trade is the public agency entrusted with promoting trade, business opportunities and industrial co-operation between Italian and foreign companies, mostly by organizing the participation of Italian firms in fairs, exhibitions, workshops and bilateral meetings in more than 100 countries all over the world.

Through the Italian Trade Commission in Hong Kong, I.C.E. offers a helping hand to Italian companies which want to enter the market, and to establish trade relationship with their partners in the territory.

Also see: frozen gourmet meals

Author Notes:

Dustin Kempirek contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-steaks.com. Great tips on buying top quality meats, steaks and seafood from the finest ranchers and butchers.

	Authentic Italian Cuisine
Authentic Italian Gastronomy At Shangri-La Hotels