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Hong Kong SAR, China, 6 March 2023 – Cucina, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel’s authentic Italian restaurant, celebrates the return of two-time Pizza Acrobatics world champion, Chef Pasqualino Barbasso, from 21 to 26 March. Chef Pasqualino will wow diners with a fun-filled gourmet experience that brings together dough-spinning acrobatics and mouth-watering Italian pizzas with vegan, meat and seafood toppings.
Chef Pasqualino started his pizzaiolo career at his family’s pizzeria in Sicily when he was 17. He was named the world champion for pizza acrobatics in 2001 and again in 2002. Chef Pasqualino has showcased his gravity-defying dough-spinning moves in France, the UK, Russia, China, Indonesia, India, Singapore and many other countries around the world. With more than 25 years of pizza-making experience, he now runs a pizza school with a mission to promote the art of Italian food culture.
Pizzaiuolo – the craft of Neapolitan pizza-making – requires a specific style of dough preparation and wood-fired baking. Spinning is the most important step, as it oxygenates the dough to create the crust’s famously light texture. The skill and dedication that go into this culinary practice have turned it into a time-honoured art that is now recognised around the world and even listed among UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
Following his showcases at Cucina in 2018 and 2019, Chef Pasqualino will return to Hong Kong and make an appearance at Cucina again from 21 to 26 March 2023. Diners can look forward to being entertained by his marvellous pizza manoeuvres during lunch and dinner periods.
Aside from the dough-spinning entertainment, Chef Pasqualino will also be serving his signature Neapolitan-style pizzas during his six-day guest residence at Cucina. The limited-time pizza menu will feature eight types of authentic Italian pies. Highlights include the Marinara (Lobster, Scallop, Prawn, Mussels, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella; HK$348*), which features bountiful flavours of the ocean, and the Della Locanda (Air-dried Beef, Burrata, Mozzarella, Tomato Sauce, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nuts, Parmesan, Lemon Zest; HK$288*), which celebrates simple yet original Italian flavours. Another chef-recommended pie is the rich and delicious Golosona (Mortadella, Mozzarella, Burrata, Pistachio Pesto, Black Truffle; HK$328*), which has a pesto made with pistachios from Southern Italy.
Those who want a healthier indulgence can choose the vegetarian Rainbow (Vegan Cheese, Yellow Peppers, Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes, Artichoke Purée; HK$248*) or the light yet satisfying Norvegese (Smoked Salmon, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella, Asparagus Purée, Parsley; HK$328*). Meat lovers, meanwhile, will delight in the rich and flavourful Winter (Pork Sausage, Spicy Salami, Mushrooms, Mozzarella, Smoked Cheese, Pumpkin Purée; HK$268*).
Chef Pasqualino will be in residence at Cucina from 21 to 26 March 2023. During the promotional period, Chef Pasqualino will perform pizza acrobatics at Cucina during lunch at 1:30pm and dinner at 7pm and 8:30pm. His authentic pizza menu will also be offered during lunch and dinner periods and will be served against a spectacular backdrop of Victoria Harbour. For reservations and other enquiries, please contact +852 2113 0808.
Birthday Offer: Diners with birthdays in March will be offered a complimentary glass of red wine or white wine or prosecco upon patronage of Chef Pasqualino Barbasso’s pizza menu for an elevated dining experience. Terms and Conditions apply.
Cucina – 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star restaurant
Address: Level 6, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: +852 2113 0808 Email: info@cucinahk.com Website: www.cucinahk.com
*Prices are subject to 10% service charge
About Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
EXPLORE DISCOVER EXPERIENCE
Situated in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, which earned the 2022 Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Award, is part of Harbour City – Hong Kong’s largest shopping complex.
The hotel comprises 665 luxurious guestrooms and suites, many of which offer breath-taking views of the celebrated Victoria Harbour. Within a short walk are landmarks such as the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and 1881 Heritage. The hotel is also on the doorstep of the Star Ferry terminal and MTR subway stations.
Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool; a gym; a lobby lounge; the all-day dining outlet, Cafe Marco, which features a wide variety of gourmet cuisines from all over the world; and our 2022 Forbes Travel Guide 4-star Italian restaurant, Cucina. The hotel has 14 function rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 430 guests, as well as a dedicated and professional Banquet Services Team.
The hotel is part of Wharf Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Ltd, a Hong Kong-listed company with core business interests in property and investments in communications and container-terminal operations. Other Wharf Hotels properties include Gateway Hotel and Prince Hotel in Hong Kong as well as hotels in mainland China and the Philippines. Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, bringing together more than 40 brands with over 800 hotels in 100 countries.
Further details on Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel are available at marcopolohotels.com.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Our anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on up to 900 objective standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travellers select the world’s best luxury experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our independent inspection process. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, please visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
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