I love one-of-a-kind experiences and have been able to attend many of those over the course of my almost 25-year international journalism career. That’s why I was thrilled to recently join an exclusive event held at the Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto. As the organizers said, this event will never be repeated again and the guests that night were the only people in the world to experience it. Here is why.

On June 17, 2024, Associazione Nazionale Città dell’Olio and the Local Action Group GAL Lucus, hosted an exclusive dinner for delegation members, media and representatives of the hospitality industry, featuring products from the Basilicata region, brought to Canada for the first time, exclusively for the event. “The agri-food and cultural promotion of the Vulture-Alto Bradano area in Canada was born with the ambitious objective of creating a bridge between producers from our region and the Canadian market,” said Nicola Vertone, GAL Lucus President.

Vertone was joined by Associazione Nazionale Città dell’Olio President Michele Sonnessa, Director Antonio Balenzano, Director Franco Ragone and Councilor Francesco Genzano, who shared heartfelt stories and traditions embracing the historical, cultural and environmental values of the local producers from the Basilicata region. 

All attendees that night were in for a special treat from Don Alfonso 1890’s Executive Chef Davide Ciavattella, who created an eight-course menu of uniquely crafted dishes paired with local Basilicata wines. It was an elegant, charming and sustainability-focused feast: a true Italian experience in the heart of Toronto.

Each dish used the finest ingredients and was plated on one-of-a-kind dishes highlighting the producers in a stunning presentation. “We want Canadians to be won over not only by the exquisite quality and flavours of our products but by beauty of the territories from which they come from, because we believe in promoting the Oil Communities and tourism”, said Sonnessa. 

The Lucanian producers who shared their products from the Basilicata region for this memorable dinner were: 

• Oleificio Marchione: Extra virgin olive oil 
• Agripeppers: Peperone Crusco 
• Predium Societa Agricola Cooperativa: Assortment of legumes 
• Cantina Il Passo: Alberi in Piano 
• Cantine Strapellum: Pink Roses, Fosso del Tiglio, White Sparkling and Valle Francesca Bianco wines 
• Fattorie Donna Giulia: Caciocavallo, Giuncatella and StracchinAtella cheese 
• Cio Bio: Organic penne pasta 
• Con Pro Bio: Organic honey 
• Sapori Nel Tempo: Peperone Crusco pesto, Barbabi cream and Zuppa del Contadino 
• Biscotteria Maridi: Biscotti

Growing up in Spain, I remember tasting some of these products during my twenties, and so I was especially thrilled to see them in Canada. Chef Ciavattella’s exquisite menu that evening featured artisanal homemade breads, a stunning ricciola, an explosion of tastebuds in zuppetta di legumi, an organic penne in porcini extraction with king oyster mushroom and Italian black truffle, black cod cooked in extra virgin oil and accompanied by marinated beet, a spectacular selection of cheeses, and a fabulous piedmont hazelnut parfait that looked like an exhibit straight from an art gallery. 

I had been to Don Alfonso with my husband back in 2019 when the restaurant had just opened, albeit at a different location. I still fondly remember that experience because I was struck not only by the exceptional food but also by the ambiance and decor of the restaurant. I love the rose-theme that permeates the venue (still to this day), be it in the form of fresh roses on the table, the rose design of the plates or even the carved out rose shapes on the ceiling. It’s such an extraordinary place where art is all around you. The skull with butterflies sculpture by Philippe Pasqua, called Crane, that is still placed in the middle of the restaurant is one I have remembered for all these years.

It was a 10/10 experience in 2019 and it was a 10/10 experience now. Bravo to everyone who put together this memorable event!

Photos courtesy of George Pimentel Photography.