Over 50 Michelin starred chefs and 35 wine producers from Italy and Europe will be taking part in the first ever Grand Chef's Cup downhill ski race on 22 March.
The race will be held in the Italian Dolomites at the resort of San Cassiano, Alta Badia (north of Verona). It has been organized by Michelin starred chef Norbert Niederkofler, of St. Hubertus, Relais Chateau Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano.
‘It is guaranteed to be a great success,’ says Niederkofler. ‘The response has been great from both chefs and wine producers.’
Famous three and two-starred Michelin chefs include Santi Santamaria from Spain, Rudi Obauer from Austria, and Germans Heinz Winkler and Hans Haas, while top Italian restauranteurs from Da Caino, Il San Pietro, La Siriola, Gambero Rosso, Il Falconiere and will make up some of the home-grown skiing talent.
‘Gourmet cuisine should always be accompanied by excellent wines,’ says Roberto Anselmi, producer of the seductive late harvest I Capitelli and a keen helicopter skier. ‘We thought we’d join in to give the chefs a challenge on the slopes and bring along some good wines to accompany the dinner.’
Prominent producers taking part include Frescobaldi, Antinori, Felluga, Hofstätter, Alois Lageder, Donnafugata, Elisabetta Foradori and others.
The proceeds from the €250 per person gala dinner at the St. Hubertus will go to Kammerlander, a charitable association, responsible for building schools and orphanages in Tibet.
Written by Michèle Shah
