Suzanne Branciforte's Italian Grapevine

When they invite you to a party in Portofino, you go. When they invite you to a party honoring Gualtiero Marchesi, you go. When they invite you to a party in Portofino honoring Gualtiero Marchesi, you can’t believe your good luck.

The famous ‘cook’ (as he prefers to be called!), is the founder of new Italian cuisine and a major influence on Italian – and not only Italian – cuisine. In 2008, Gualtiero Marchesi ‘returned’ his Michelin stars to whence they’d come, stating that he prefered reviews to the French hegemonical rating system. This from the man whose restaurant was the first in Italy to have the coveted 3 Michelin stars. Having started a revolution in Italian cooking, is it any wonder? And if we want to talk about his legacy, we have only to think of some of his students, like Carlo Cracco and Davide Oldani, to name only two.

And at 86, he is simply adorable.

A summer evening: dinner at Castello Brown on the tip of the Portofino Promontory with a menu catered by Da Ö Vittorio of Recco. The authenticity of the cuisine was guaranteed.

A typically Ligurian menu included the famed focaccia col formaggio di Recco and a tepid minestrone with pesto.

Art, culture, cuisine, a tribute to the man who brings this all together… The recipe for a perfect summer evening in Portofino.