Gran Galà d'Autunno Returns for a Second Edition at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel

On October 14, 2024, seven chefs will gather again at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, to bring the Autumn Gala to life.

Exceptionally presented by Giovanni Cacioppo, the gala was born from the desire of Sicilian chefs to contribute to the island's solidarity efforts. This year, it is held in support of the association "Il Faro – Famiglie Oltre La Disabilità," founded in 2020 by Claudia Vincenza Condorelli with the mission of supporting entire families managing children with disabilities daily.

For the second year in a row, General Manager Lorenzo Maraviglia and Executive Chef Massimo Mantarro will welcome the top names in Sicilian cuisine to this iconic venue of local history and international hospitality.

Thanks to the collaboration of generous sponsors of the Autumn Gala, the chefs from seven different restaurants will prepare a special menu in the elegant Sala Chiesa at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel.

Michelin-starred Chef Massimo Mantarro from the restaurant Principe Cerami will be joined by Alessandro Ingiulla, from Sapio Restaurant in Catania, 1 Michelin star; Pino Cuttaia, from Ristorante La Madia in Licata, 2 Michelin stars; Carmelo Trentacosti, from MEC Restaurant in Palermo, 1 Michelin star; and Luca Miuccio, from the restaurant Batù at Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina. For the first time, Executive Pastry Chef Vincenzo Abagnale of the restaurant Principe Cerami will collaborate with Nicolas Lambert, Senior Executive Pastry Chef at both Four Seasons Hotels in Dubai, Jumeirah Beach, and DIFC.

Menu and Wine Pairings

Welcome – Chef Massimo Mantarro

• Canapés and Champagne Brut "Tradition" Steinbrück

Appetizer– Chef Alessandro Ingiulla

• Gamberi Affogato: Shrimp, sea urchins, and broccoli
• Etna Bianco "A' Puddara," Tenuta di Fessina

Appetizer – Chef Pino Cuttaia

• Mediterranean Ramen: Cuttlefish, shellfish, and vegetables
• White Wine, Florio

First Course – Chef Carmelo Trentacosti 

• Giro Giro Tondo: Fresh pasta tonnarello, red mullet, and smoked provola cheese sauce
• Brut Rosé 36 months, Terrazze dell'Etna

Second Course – Chef Luca Miuccio

• The Tomato and its Accompaniments (Amberjack): Tomato, parsley extract, grilled amberjack*
• Etna Rosso Passorosso, Passopisciaro

Dessert– Pastry Chefs Vincenzo Abagnale and Nicolas Lambert

• Chuao 75% Chocolate, porcini mushrooms, and hazelnuts
• Grillo d'Oro, Gorghi Tondi

The event, dedicated to the association "Il Faro" and sponsored by the ARS (Sicilian Regional Assembly), comes to life thanks to the invaluable support and collaboration of all the chefs involved and the generous sponsors (in alphabetical order):

Achille Campione (fish for Miuccio's dish); Agrimontana (dried fruits); Antonio Fratantoni (ceramic plate gift); Calvisius (caviar); Cantine Florio (wine); Domori (chocolate); Gorghi Tondi (wine); Graficatre (printing); Longino & Cardenal (fish for Trentacosti's dish); Marco Patti (pianist); Musica e Sposi (string quartet); Nica Nuci (Sicilian chocolate); Parrini Pesce (fish for Ingiulla's dish); Passopisciaro (wine); Steinbrück (Champagne); Taurmè (olive oil and vegetables for Miuccio's dish); Tenuta di Fessina (wine); Terrazze dell'Etna (wine).*

In addition, due to the initiative of General Manager Lorenzo Maraviglia, a charity auction will take place during the dinner, with all funds raised donated to the association. The auction items include three stays of two nights at a Four Seasons hotel orrResort; a lot of special bottles offered by (in alphabetical order) Baglio di Pianetto, Casa Grazia, Castellucci Miano, Coppo, Cottanera, Feudo Maccari, Monteleone, Volcano Gin; a personalized winery experience with a sommelier, offered by Sicily Lifestyle; a boating experience offered by Mikasa; and a Dolce&Gabbana accessory.

A new feature this year: the guests will be welcomed in the Ancient Cloister, surrounded by artworks from nine different artists, donated to the association "Il Faro" for fundraising purposes. All the artworks will be available for purchase during the dinner:

Alice Valenti– "Il Bacio," Screenprint with passe-partout, 31x31 cm, 2016

Ambra Mirabito – "Viaggio fantastico alle Isole Eolie," Ink drawing on embroidery frame with silk thread, 30 cm, 2019

Anna Maria D'Amico – "Essere Donna," Oil on canvas with palette knife, 80x80 cm, 2023

Antonio Cairola – "Bosco verde," Mixed media on board, 50x50 cm, 2021

Claudio Sapienza – "Il mare dentro una conchiglia," Oil, pastels, acrylic, graphite, and seashell on canvas board, 53x66 cm, 2022

Emanuel Palermo – "Venti Novembre," Artwork, 52x71 cm, 2018

Evelina Larzio – "Luce," Colored pencils on paper with black passe-partout, A4, 2023

Grazia Grasso – "L'annacata," Acrylic on canvas, 40x50 cm, 2024

Tiziana Candido– "Terra e aria," Acrylics and pastels on paper, 21x30 cm, 2022

The dinner will take place in Sala Chiesa at 8:00 pm and feature a five-course menu at EUR 190 per person, including wine pairings, water, and coffee. Reservations are required.

For reservations: events.taormina@fourseasons.com

The association "Il Faro – Famiglie Oltre La Disabilità " supports families, with a focus on children and young people with special educational needs and their parents. The association was founded on March 5, 2020, by Claudia Vincenza Condorelli to provide new possibilities and opportunities to children and young people with disabilities. The mission of the association is to support the entire family unit because behind every child in difficulty, there are parents, siblings, and relatives. President Claudia Vincenza Condorelli hopes that the association will serve as a beacon, illuminating the way forward for families who have lost their path. The association has organized numerous events to raise funds for these families, all of which are supported by the ARS, an important partner of the association.