The XVI Edition of the Worldwide Alba White Truffle Auction

Left -Orlando Pecchenino (Consorzio Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani), Alia Eyres (Mother’s Choice), Chef Umberto Bombana, Maria Pranzo (arete food and wine) Andrea Ferrero (Consorzio Barolo Barbaresco Alba Laghe e Dogliani), Mauro Carbone (Centro Nazionale studi tartufo di Alba)

Together with the Piedmont Land of Perfection, Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour, Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, the 16th International Auction of the White Truffle of Alba was successfully held at the three Michelin-starred restaurant 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA on 8 November 2015 (Sunday) marks the most anticipated and prestigious event on Hong Kong’s culinary calendar. The most coveted Alba white truffles weighing 900 kilogram were sold to Mr. Sam Chan, for HK$833,000. A total of HK2,563,000 was raised from 6 lots of sizable specimens and the evening’s special white truffle dinner crafted by Chef BOMBANA. All proceeds go to Hong Kong charity Mother’s Choice to help young girls facing crisis pregnancy and children without families.The annual auction, organized in Hong Kong by 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Mother’s Choice and areté food and wine consulting in collaboration with Piedmont Region, Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour and Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani 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.

Left – and Robert Sleigh, Head of Wine for Sotheby’s Asia Gregory De ‘Eb from Crown Wine Cellars

Robert Sleigh, Head of Wine for Sotheby’s Asia, was the auctioneer for the gems of the evening with 900 kilograms of fresh white truffles directly from Alba in Italy, while the Barolo and Barbaresco wines from Piedmont were presented by renowned wine critic, Gregory De ‘Eb from Crown Wine Cellars.

The fantastic magnum of Barolo and Barbaresco from Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA staff with the auction lots

A special crafted 6-course dinner menu by Chef BOMBANA, Worldwide Ambassador of White Truffle since 2006 and the lauded “King of White Truffles” incudes Warm Abalone with scrambled egg and alba white truffle, Veal Shank Agnolotti porcini emulsion and alba white truffle, Classic Risotto autumn root vegetable and alba white truffle, Chestnut Emulsion with roasted diced foie gras and alba white truffle, Mayura Beef Tenderloin braised “Scorza Nera” with ham, whipped potato and alba white truffle as well as Roasted Pear with moscato wine zabaione, mascarpone ice cream and alba white truffle, highlighting the sublime and unique aroma deceptively conceals their complex yet delicate taste.