Dining with the stars

5 star hotels and Michelin starred chefs: the protagonists of an epicurean experience you'll never forget.

When a string of Italy's finest hotels join forces with some of the country's greatest chefs'' the result is bound to be scintillating. As scintillating as "Dining with the Stars", a unique culinary tour organized by Orient-Express, the name behind the legendary locomotive and of a stunning collection of exclusive hotels'''.

In each hotel included on the tour, the guest chef will prepare a degustation dinner, including a dish devised especially for the event: a unique work of edible art dedicated to all the food lovers present

Hotel Cipriani, Venice

The first of the five gastronomic week-ends of the "Dining with the Stars" tour was hosted in Venice's sumptuous Hotel Cipriani.

Saturday March 17th: chef Filippo Chiappini Dattilo of Piacenza's Antica Osteria del Teatro restaurant reintroduced diners to almost forgotten regional flavors in the type of dishes which, for some 25 years, have ensured he has never once lost his Michelin Star.

Sunday March 18th: was the turn of Massimo Bottura of Modena's Osteria Francescana. Not only does he have 3 Michelin stars and experience working alongside Alain Ducasse and Ferran Adrià under his belt, Bottura has also recently been voted "Chef of the Year 2011" by his international colleagues too: acclaim which has had little impact on his notoriously rebellious nature and only increased his creative flair. A dinner with this man is guaranteed to astound.

Hotel Splendido, Portofino

Immersed in Mediterranean gardens, overlooking the sea surrounding Portofino, Hotel Splendido was the luxurious location for the second week-end of the "Dining with the Stars" tour.

Saturday April 14th: the evening's protagonists were Chicco and Bobo Cerea of the Da Vittorio restaurant in Brusaporto. After years spent travelling (and cooking) around the world, today the two brothers specialize in modern Italian food with a particular emphasis on the flavors of Lombardy. In 2011 this mix of culinary innovation and tradition earned them not one, not two, but 3 Michelin stars.

Sunday April 15th: there's a Sicilian in the kitchen. The secret of Pino Cuttaia's cuisine, which has earned his La Madia restaurant in Licata 2 Michelin stars, is the reinterpretation of great Sicilian classics, inspired by his experience in Piedmont. The result? A delicious concoction of Northern and Southern Italian culinary genius.

Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant'Andrea, Taormina

Tantalizing treats in Taormina

Sicilian sister hotels Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant'Andrea, provided the venues for the 3rd star studded gastronomic weekend.

Saturday September 29th: the night was dedicated to Pietro Leemann, the chef who, after years in Japan and China, opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Italy to receive a Michelin star: Joia, in Milan, Leeman describes his food as "Natural cooking"; cooking which is based on the use of only organic ingredients. For "Dining with the Stars" Leemann prepared a vegetarian dinner, which saw even the most carnivorous of guests asking for more!

Sunday September 30th: was the turn of Heinz Beck, the man responsible for bringing 3 Michelin Stars to Hotel Cavalieri Hilton Rome's La Pergola restaurant. Of German origin, Beck is, nevertheless, one of the best Italian chefs yet, something which he claims, is all thanks to his Sicilian wife!

Hotel Caruso, Ravello

The gourmet tour reaches its conclusion on Italy's legendary Amalfi Coast

The cliff top town of Ravello provides the breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for the 4th and final appointment with "Dining with the Stars", at Hotel Caruso.

Saturday October 20th: it's Norbert Niederkofler's night. The chef of the Hotel Rosa Alpina of San Cassiano's St. Hubertus restaurant performs his culinary magic with the flavors and aromas of Alto Adige. He prepares his Michelin starred cuisine (so far, he has 2) using the products of his high altitude homeland.

Sunday October 21st: dedicated to dishes prepared by Niko Romito of the Reale restaurant in Castel di Sangro which was awarded 2 Michelin stars in 2008. Romito's delectable cuisine is made with the simple ingredients of Abruzzo, such as goat's milk and fresh ricotta, which he uses in a balanced and, at the same time, excitingly innovative way. His golden rule is "less is more".