15th International Auction of the White Truffle of Alba and Barolo and Barbaresco Wines
Left: Andrea Ferrero (consorzio Barolo e Barbaresco), Marie and James Suckling, Maria Pranzo (arete food and wine), Umberto Bombana, Alia Eyres (Mother’s Choice), Pietro Ratti (consorzio Barolo e Barbaresco)
15th International Auction of the White Truffle of Alba and Barolo and Barbaresco Wines One-kilogram White Truffles Sold in Hong Kong for 100.000 EURO The 15th International Auction of the White Truffle of Alba and Barolo and Barbaresco Wines, the most prestigious event on Hong Kong’s culinary agenda, was successfully held at the three Michelin-starred restaurant 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA on 9 November 2014 (Sunday). This year, the most coveted twin truffles weighing one kilogram were sold to Mr. John Chow, Managing Director of Winsor Industrial Corporation Limited, for a record-breaking 100,000 euro. A total of HK$3,170,000 (320,000 euro) was raised from 6 lots of sizable specimens, the wine pladge and the evening’s white truffle dinner by Chef Umberto Bombana. All proceeds go to Hong Kong charity Mother’s Choice. The annual auction, organized by 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Mother’s Choice and areté food and wine consulting in collaboration with Piedmont Region of Italy and Enoteca Regionale Piemontese – Castello di Grinzane Cavour, was hosted at the sixteenth century Hall of Masks in the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, Italy, and satellite-linked to 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in Hong Kong. Robert Sleigh, Head of Wine for Sotheby’s Asia, was the auctioneer for the gems of the evening – 2.99 kilograms of fresh white truffles directly from Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Grinzane Cavour in Italy, while the Barolo and Barbaresco wines from Piedmont were presented by renowned wine critic James Suckling. 
Guests at the prestigious auction were, as usual, served an exclusive white truffle dinner by Chef Bombana, Worldwide Ambassador of White Truffle since 2006 and the lauded “King of White Truffles”. The five-course menu included Warm Blue Lobster, Crisp Fassone Veal, Homemade Tortello, Poularde from Bresse and White Truffle Ice Cream. Each course was paired with fine Barolo and Barbaresco wines, kindly sponsored by Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero.
About Mother’s Choice
Mother’s Choice was founded in 1987 by a small group of people concerned with the plight of Hong Kong’s single teenagers and their family members coping with crisis pregnancy. Today, Mother’s Choice continues to impact the lives of thousands in our community through our four services – Pregnant Girls Services, Child Care Home, Adoption Services and Foster Care Services. At Mother’s Choice, we are joining hands with our community to transform lives and give hope to young girls, babies, special needs children and families. Our vision is that no girl or baby is left alone in Hong Kong.
About Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero
Founded in 1934, the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero protects and promotes wine production in the Langhe and Roero regions of Piedmont. For over seventy years, the Consorzio is the guardian of DOC / DOCG denominations in the territory, most notably the prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco, defending the wine’s reputation and qualities in legal, production and marketing contexts. Representing over 450 estates, the Consorzio is made up of dedicated winegrowers with a passionate attachment to their land who are committed to maintaining the tradition of excellence and quality of the Langhe and Roero regions.
About 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA
8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is the first and only three Michelin-starred Italian restaurant outside of Italy, and for four consecutive years since 2011 it has retained this prestigious accolade. Since opening in 2010, 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA has been recognized as one of the best Italian restaurants worldwide by not only the Michelin Guide, but also World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Italian Cuisine Worldwide Awards and many more. Owner and Executive Chef Umberto Bombana, hailed as “The King of White Truffles” and “Best Italian Chef in Asia”, delights even the most refined palate with his contemporary, sophisticated and inventive culinary creations. In 2012, his empire extended to China where he opened 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA Shanghai and in 2013, Opera Bombana was unveiled in Beijing.
Left, Marino Braccu (sommelier at 8 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA) James Suckling, Danilo Nicoletti (Director of the restaurants), Pietro Ratti (Presidenti of the Consorzio di tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero)
Left: Maxime Ejoff (Restaurant manager), Danilo Nicoletti (Group Director) Marino Braccu (sommelier), Umberto Bombana (Chef) and Pietro Ratti (President of the consorzio Barolo and Barbaresco)
Danilo Nicoletti.. smelling truffles
Danilo Nicoletti, Mosun Abrate (Abrate & Sons for tartuflanghe), Umberto Bombana
Alia Eyres
Antimo Merone, he will be 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA Chef in Macau
areté food and wine marketing consulting 
come sei bella, figlia mia e anche brava !!!