Villa Corinthia’s Francesco Mazzei cooks for King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove

Francesco Mazzei, a celebrated Italian chef currently helming the kitchen at Corinthia Attard, has recently prepared a royal feast for King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

With a menu curated by the Chef together with the Corinthia Palace Malta culinary team, the event paid tribute to heritage, authenticity, and sustainable living.

The event also featured Hollywood actor and celebrated gastronome Stanley Tucci, who paid tribute to Italy’s rich culinary heritage and championed the principles of the Slow Food and Slow Fashion movements.

Other celebrities in attendance were Dame Helen Mirren, David and Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace, and Brunello Cucinelli.

Reflecting on the occasion, Mr Mazzei shared his gratitude: “Still pinching myself after an unforgettable night at Highgrove. The warmth, kindness, and shared love of food from Their Majesties and every guest in the room made the evening truly special. It was a moment I made sure to savour in real time – an experience I will cherish forever.”

Speaking at the dinner, King Charles expressed his admiration for Italian cuisine and culture, stating, “good food brings people together and what we choose to eat helps to define us – as families, communities and nations.”

He also described the evening as a celebration of “slow food and Italy,” two things “very dear to my heart.”

Mr Mazzei’s menu was inspired by Mr Tucci’s celebrated TV series Tucci – The Heart of Italy and embodied the principles of the Slow Food movement.

By blending British produce with Italian culinary traditions, Mr Mazzei showcased the values of heritage, authenticity, and respect for the land.

According to a statement, the evening began with a reception featuring rare and pasture salumi, Tuscan-style paté, Yorkshire pecorino cheese puffs, and British vegetable caponata tartelletta, all paired with Highgrove sparkling wine.

For dinner, guests were treated to:  

• Scottish crab panzanella
• Westcombe ricotta and Highgrove fine herbs ravioli with Isle of Wight tomato passata
• Suffolk Red porchetta, pumpkin and sage mash, and Tuscan kale
•  Zuppa Inglese and biscotti

The meal was accompanied by Italian and English wines, including Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black Label 2023 and Barbaresco Gaja 2021, concluding with a Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Zenato dessert wine.

Mr Mazzei took a hands-on approach to sourcing the ingredients, travelling across the UK to find the best local produce.

Supporting him in delivering an unforgettable gastronomic experience was a culinary team from Corinthia Palace Malta, including Head Chef Simone Petulla and Pastry Chef Marine Zerbib.

Enhancing the menu further, Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi curated an exclusive drinks selection infused with Italian flavours and herbs sourced from the gardens of Highgrove.

The evening also shone a spotlight on the Slow Fashion movement, with Their Majesties meeting students from The King’s Foundation and viewing garments that highlighted sustainable fashion and heritage craftsmanship.

At the dinner, Mr Tucci paid tribute to The King’s Foundation, which he said promotes the King’s vision of “living in harmony with nature.”

Mr Tucci further emphasized the significance of sharing food, describing it as a “restorative, connective act.”

Mr Mazzei concluded, “no matter how grand the setting or how influential the company, food has a beautiful way of connecting us all. Seeing so many happy faces enjoying a menu crafted with such thought and passion was simply magical. A heartfelt thank you to my incredible team for making this moment possible.”