What happens when a Romanian chef, named the ‘Great Chef of Tomorrow,’ teams up with one of the most renowned Italian chefs, whose work has been awarded Michelin stars, the title of ‘Best Chef in the World,’ and praised by countless notable figures, from heads of state to celebrities? This was the scene at the 2023 gala dinner for the World Week of Italian Cuisine, organized by the Italian Embassy in Romania and ITA Bucharest, at the initiative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The event brought together Chef Radu CM Ionescu, founder of KAIAMO, and Chef Enrico Derflingher, this year’s special guest at the World Week of Italian Cuisine – one of Italy’s most celebrated culinary masters. Chef Derflingher has cooked for the British Royal Family, the White House during George H.W. Bush’s administration, and numerous celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The result? A true journey of flavors and a memorable evening that perfectly illustrated the theme of the event and the essence of Italian cuisine: “well-being with taste.”
The menu of the joint gastronomic dinner featured dishes from both chefs, interwoven and succeeding one another, like a journey through flavors – at least, that was my personal experience.
Chef Enrico hails from Lombardy, and risotto is one of his signature dishes. During the press conference that opened the event, Chef Enrico delighted guests with the risotto that won over Queen Elizabeth II. In the evening, at the gala dinner, he chose to prepare the favorite risotto of the current King Charles III (then Prince Charles, when Chef Enrico dedicated the dish to him) – a Milanese-style risotto with truffles personally brought from Italy by the chef. Another dish that had once won over Prince Charles was also on the menu: a lemon cream dessert. This simple treat, made from just three ingredients, stands out for its elegance and lightness, making it truly memorable.
Despite his impressive track record and many years of career success, Chef Enrico declares that his dishes remain simple, confirming the saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
With Paul Bocuse as his mentor, Chef Enrico Derflingher became, at just 26 years old, the personal chef to the British Royal Family – the only Italian to have held this position to date. In this role, he impressed the Queen with his risotto recipe, which she said was the best she had ever tasted. In recognition, she presented him with a gift.
In 1991, he became the chef at the White House during the George H.W. Bush administration, where he had the opportunity to cook for numerous world leaders and heads of state.
In 1994, his work was rewarded with his first Michelin star, presented by none other than his mentor, Paul Bocuse. The stars continued to follow, with his work at Terasse of Eden in Rome being recognized and celebrated at the highest levels, culminating in 2008 when he was named the best chef in the world.
He spent the next decade in Japan, where he opened and managed over 30 Italian restaurants, including the iconic Armani Ginza Tower in Tokyo. During this time, he also oversaw the opening of the Armani restaurants in Dubai, New York, and Milan.
As President of Eurotoques Italy, Chef Enrico prepared the meals for the official reception at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics, representing Italy. In 2015, he became President of Eurotoques International. He was also selected to cook at two G8 and G20 summits.
His passion for Italian cuisine, combined with his culinary talent and entrepreneurial spirit, earned him the title of Ambassador of Italian Gastronomy worldwide.
In addition to official events, Chef Enrico is often invited to cook for some of the most famous celebrities at private events. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, for instance, have also enjoyed Chef Enrico’s famous risotto.
At the gala dinner for the World Week of Italian Cuisine, Chef Enrico Derflingher teamed up with Radu CM Ionescu, chef and founder of KAIAMO, a 100% Romanian restaurant opened in 2018 that quickly established itself as one of the best restaurants in the country.
In 2019, KAIAMO’s recognition extended beyond Romania’s borders, as it was included in the WORLD’S 50 BEST, the renowned international gastronomic guide created by San Pellegrino, through the "50 BEST DISCOVERY" project. KAIAMO was listed among the Top 1,000 Best Locations in the World.
The restaurant has earned its reputation as a top destination for fine dining lovers, thanks to its philosophy centered around local ingredients, culinary creativity, and meticulous attention to service. During the 2023 edition of the World Week of Italian Cuisine, KAIAMO was honored by the presence of Enrico Derflingher, who, together with Radu, offered participants an exceptional gastronomic experience.
As I mentioned earlier, the gala dinner for the World Week of Italian Cuisine perfectly illustrated the essence of Italian culinary philosophy, demonstrating how the simplest flavors can be transformed into art when the hands of two exceptional chefs come together to create a memorable gastronomic experience.
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