Italy is known around the world as a place where fine traditions such as culinary arts and jewelry-making are inherited by today's brand of craftsmanship and recreated into another level of style and excellence.  In celebration of jewelry brand Damiani's 90th Anniversary Collection, a limited edition consisting of ten jewelry pieces inspired by each decade of the brand's history to date, from gemstones to pearls, has been released.  Nine pieces, numbered 1 to 9, have been created for each jewel to tell the story of the brand through the decades.  These are the Charleston collier, Cascade bracelet, Legend bracelet, Optical earrings, Bloom necklace, Tribute bracelet, Moonshine ring, Damianissima collier and Tassel necklace. Michelin-starred Chef Pino Lavarra has created a five-course dinner menu with a modern style that respects and reflects the traditions of the exclusive brand.  “The Damiani 90th Anniversary Celebration” menu, priced at HK$ 1,880 per person, will be available from October 15 – November 30 (except November 6-8) at Tosca at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. 

The menu starts with a Cascade 1930s-inspired appetizer.  The flow of the alternating black and white diamonds in the bracelet enthused Chef Pino to create Cured Salmon with Beluga Caviar and White Snail Caviar, using an unusual combination of eggs to reflect the art deco style of the collection.  Fettuccelle with Sea Scallops, Lobsters and Tomatoes literally draws out the coloured stones of the floral motif featured in the Bloom 1970s necklace.  Legend 1940s bracelet is designed for a special decade where people preferred austere, military-style fashion.  In remembrance of the period of autarchy when iron was used to imitate gold, Chef Pino created golden Crispy Monkfish with Chickpeas Cream Sauce.  Stewed Oxtail Served on Potato Filled with Foie Gras is the artistic highlight of the menu, combining a traditional recipe and a contemporary presentation featuring large circles inspired by the collection, which truly reflects the essence of Optical 1960s earrings, graphic designs and pop art.  The high point of the menu is also represented by the dessert, Chocolate Ring Hazelnuts with Five Spices Sauce, which denotes the special hand-cut amethyst, citrine, Madera quartz and prasiolite of the Tribute 1980s bracelet.  For full menu, please refer to the appendix.

“The culinary preparations are quite complicated for this special menu,” said Chef Pino Lavarra.  “On top of a good balance of taste and flavor pairings, everything served has to be a picture-perfect arrangement to be a fitting tribute to the craftsmanship of Damiani's goldsmiths over the years.  All dishes are tastefully prepared, their shapes and colors complementing one another.  For me, this experience is also like crafting culinary jewelry for the pleasure of the eyes.  I want to use this opportunity to offer the greatest expression of Italian quality in terms of the finest things in life”. 

Guests can also indulge in the special menu while relaxing at the highest hotel in the world with a special rate for the Deluxe Suite at HK$ 9, 880 per suite per night, includes “The Damiani 90th Anniversary Celebration” menu for two persons per stay.  The special package will be available from October 15 – November 30 (except November 6-8). 

All prices are subject to availability and 10% service charge.  For Tosca reservations, please contact Restaurant Reservations at (852) 2263 2270 or via email restaurantreservation.hk@ritzcarlton.com; for room reservations, please contact Room Reservations at (852) 2263 2100 or via email rc.hkgkw.reservations@ritzcarlton.com

Chef Pino Lavarra

Hailing from Italy to helm Tosca at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, two-star Michelin Chef Pino Lavarra has a wealth of experience working in renowned hotels and restaurants around the globe.  His gastronomic talents have earned him prestigious recognition including “One of the Best Chefs in the World” by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.  Tosca was honored with one Michelin star only eight months after Chef Pino took over as director. Chef Pino, Cucina d'autore extraordinaire, presents Italian cuisine in an innovative style, creating a gastronomic memory at Tosca that will last a lifetime.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Occupying floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon,

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is the highest hotel in the world. The 312 guest rooms all providing spectacular city and harbour views. With six dining venues including state-of-the-art designer Italian restaurant Tosca, Michelin-starred Chinese Restaurant Tin Lung Heen and The Lounge and Bar that serves a signature afternoon tea. The rooftop bar Ozone is a truly stunning venue at 490 meters above sea level. For those wishing to relax and indulge, The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA located on 116th floor features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couple's suites, re-defining the urban spa experience in the city and across Asia. The hotel features a fully-equipped fitness centre and an indoor pool on the 118th floor with a 28m x 7m LED screen on the ceiling.  The hotel also boasts one of the largest ballrooms in the city at 870sqm. Complemented by an additional four meeting rooms, it has fast become the new social centre for Hong Kong and has set the benchmark for events in the region.  For more information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/hongkong.

About Damiani

Damiani is the only jewelry brand in the world to have won 18 Diamonds International Awards. An unbeaten record. Damiani call themselves craftsmen and it is the only jewelry brand that started as a designer and producer, an experience and savoir faire that transpires in every creation.

Damiani S.p.A., parent company of the Damiani Group, historically is a leading company in the Italian manufacturing and trade sector of jewelry and high level luxury watches. Founded in 1924, the Damiani brand excelled in Italian and International markets, becoming an ambassador of Italian style and a synonym of excellence and the best Italian jewelry tradition. Creativity, design and entrepreneurship are the key elements that have driven the Damiani family for nearly a century, together with a deep passion for an art that has passed on from father to son and also been transmitted to the third generation, now the head of the company. Strengthened by an almost centennial tradition, the Damiani Group has always been renowned for the quality of products and materials adopted and the exclusive design of its collections. The innovative marketing and communications strategy and the proven experience of the management team are two additional key elements that contribute to Damiani's leadership position in the jewelry market sector. The success of the Gruppo Damiani is the result of a perfect combination of creativity, research and innovation, merged with a profound knowledge of the goldsmith's tradition at an international level. www.damiani.com   For more information on Damiani, please contact Zita Wong, Regional Marketing & PR Manager zitawong@damiani.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 86 hotels in the A  mericas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information or reservations, contact a travel professional, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR).