CINQUE CUCINA, CINQUE CHEFS
Immersive show-cooking experience at Villa Porto Rapallo
One villa. Five kitchens. Five chefs. An unforgettable celebration of Italian food, culture and conviviality.
Imagine an evening when every kitchen in a historic Italian villa becomes its own culinary stage. Chefs prepare regional specialities before your eyes, aromas drift through the rooms, wine is poured, music fills the air and guests move from one experience to the next, discovering the flavours and traditions of Liguria along the way.
Welcome to Cinque Cucine, Cinque Chefs — Five Kitchens, Five Chefs — an extraordinary show-cooking concept at Villa Porto Rapallo, created in collaboration with Parla come Mangi.
More than a dinner, this is a villa-wide culinary takeover that transforms the entire property into a living celebration of Italian gastronomy.
A CELEBRATION OF RIVIERA FLAVOURS
Across five kitchens, five culinary experiences unfold simultaneously, each with its own character, ingredients and traditions.
Rather than remaining seated at a single table, guests are invited to wander through the villa, moving from room to room as chefs demonstrate their craft, share their knowledge and bring the region’s culinary heritage to life.
Watch traditional Ligurian pesto being made with a mortar and pestle. Discover the art of focaccia, explore aromatic local herbs and encounter the craftsmanship behind Italy’s celebrated specialities.
Every kitchen offers a different perspective. Together, they create a rich, multi-sensory experience that encourages curiosity, conversation and discovery
Five kitchens, five distinct culinary worlds - all unfolding at once. Move from room to room as chefs demonstrate their craft, local ingredients take centre stage and the flavours of the region come to life.
Each kitchen offers a different discovery, while together they create one unforgettable celebration of Italian food, culture and conviviality.
THE PESTO SHOW
In one of the villa’s kitchens, the unmistakable fragrance of fresh basil sets the scene. Watch a local expert transform simple, exceptional ingredients into traditional Ligurian pesto using the age-old technique of mortar and pestle. A celebration of regional craftsmanship, this is an opportunity to discover the story behind one of Italy’s most iconic flavours.
FOCACCIA MAKING
Follow the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread into another kitchen, where an artisan baker brings Liguria’s famous focaccia to life. From working the dough to the generous addition of olive oil and herbs, discover the craft behind this regional favourite as golden focaccia emerges from the oven.
HERB MIXOLOGY
A different sensory experience awaits in the next kitchen, where the region’s aromatic herbs take centre stage. Discover how these fragrant ingredients inspire traditional pasta fillings and complement the distinctive flavours of pine nut pesto and corzetti pasta, offering a glimpse into the subtleties of Ligurian gastronomy.
ARTISAN CANDY MAKING
The journey continues with the delicate art of traditional Italian confectionery. Discover the world of the Romanengo family, whose heritage dates back to 1780, and explore the skill and precision behind their handcrafted sweets. A glimpse into a treasured tradition, where patience, artistry and exceptional ingredients transform confectionery into something extraordinary.
ITALIAN WINE PAIRING
Throughout the culinary journey, Italian wine offers another way to explore the region’s gastronomic heritage. Guided by an expert sommelier, discover carefully selected local wines paired with complementary dishes, revealing how flavours, aromas and textures come together. An invitation to slow down, savour each glass and enjoy the convivial pleasures of the Italian table.
STORIES, MUSIC & THE SPIRIT OF THE RIVIERA
Throughout the experience, a captivating storyteller brings the cultural heritage of the region to life, weaving tales inspired by the region, its traditions and its people. Accompanied by music, these stories become part of the unfolding theatre, adding another layer of discovery as guests move between kitchens, meet the chefs and savour the flavours of the region.
It is an experience shaped as much by atmosphere as by gastronomy - where stories are shared, glasses are raised and the pleasure of Italian living takes centre stage.
THE GARDEN PARTY
The experience continues outdoors, where shared food, live music and the warmth of the Italian sunshine create a relaxed garden gathering. Guests can step away from the kitchens to enjoy a glass of wine, savour delicious local specialities and mingle beneath the trees, with conversation and laughter setting the tone.
An effortless extension of the culinary experience, it brings everyone together in the gardens of Villa Porto Rapallo to enjoy the simple pleasures of good food, music and life on the Italian Riviera.
CREATE AN UNFORGETTABLE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE
Bring people together through the flavours, traditions and convivial spirit of Liguria. Discover Five Kitchens, Five Chefs at Villa Porto Rapallo, or speak to us about arranging this distinctive culinary experience for your next private event.