The launch evening of the Prosecco Doc Chef Residency, held on Wednesday 22 April during Milan Design Week, marked the official start of a project that takes the Prosecco Doc Consortium – in collaboration with Tuorlo – beyond the boundaries of traditional communication.
Four international culinary residencies, running from June to October 2026, will animate the spaces of House of Mediterraneo with chefs from Brazil, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Canada, joined by ten young talents selected through an open call. Each residency unfolds over nine days, conceived as a living laboratory of ideas, techniques and visions, with Prosecco Doc acting as the common thread linking conviviality, identity and cultural openness.
The symbolic debut took place with an exclusive dinner for 30 guests at Circus, led by Dmetro Sinclair, executive chef of Montreal’s Nora Gray. A preview of the gastronomic dialogue that will define the entire program, culminating each time in a multi‑hand final dinner enriched by Tavolata’s installations and paired with the different expressions of Prosecco Doc.
Brazil opens the program: two chefs, one shared vision
The first residency, scheduled from 23 to 29 June, will be dedicated to Brazil and feature Mauricio Zillo and Danilo Nakamura—two distinct paths united by the same creative drive.
Zillo, born in São Paulo to a family of Italian origins, built his culinary identity between Paris, Spain and Italy. After training at Le Cordon Bleu and working alongside masters such as Bocuse, Ducasse, Santamaria and Atala, he arrived in Milan and later Palermo, where he earned a Michelin star at Gagini in 2021. His cuisine weaves Brazilian roots, technical precision and Mediterranean sensitivity, with a deep focus on Sicilian territory.
Alongside him, Nakamura brings an approach that blends mixology, gastronomic culture and contemporary languages. An author, consultant and leading voice of the Brazilian scene, he collaborates with iconic restaurants such as A Casa do Porco, Oteque and Tordesilhas. His work explores tradition and translates it into a modern key, with an international outlook and strong narrative ability.
A laboratory of exchange across generations and territories
At the heart of the Chef Residency is exchange. Each chef will work with ten young professionals from top Italian—and international—schools to build a shared journey: from cultural research to menu design, all the way to shaping the overall experience.
“A dialogue that aims to create a network of ambassadors capable of bringing to the world not only the quality of Prosecco Doc, but also the value of an open and curious identity,” highlights Giancarlo Guidolin, President of the Consortium.
The vision originates from Tuorlo, as CEO and founder Luca Genova explains:
“An editorial intuition transformed into a format that unites content, experience and community, expanding the role of Prosecco Doc as an enabler of cultural connections.”
An international calendar and a multi‑hand finale
After Brazil, the program will continue with:
- United Kingdom: October 2026
- South Korea: July 2026
- Canada: September 2026
Each residency will conclude with an invitation‑only dinner built around the dishes developed during the nine days of work. An immersive moment allowing guests to experience the creative process up close, accompanied by the various expressions of Prosecco Doc.
The project aligns with the Consortium’s strategy, which in recent years has strengthened the link between the denomination and the worlds of art, culture, design and gastronomy. A path consistent with the very nature of Prosecco Doc: versatile, contemporary and capable of engaging with cuisines and sensibilities from around the world.
