Massimo Bottura plans UK collaborations to promote cookbook

The Italian chef - whose three Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Francescana​ has twice ranked third in the World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards​​ – released his first English language cookbook, Never Trust a Skinny Chef, this week.

He is planning a series of activity to promote the book including a cooking demonstration at Harrods, the launch of limited edition burger at Shake Shack, a book signing at Whole Foods Market and an eight-course dinner at the Connaught in Mayfair

Shake Shack burger​

Bottura teamed up with Shake Shack culinary director Mark Rosati to produce the limited edition Emilia burger, which is named after the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and features a 100 per cent Aberdeen Angus beef patty ground with cotechino sausage and parmigiano reggiano, topped with salsa verde and Villa Manodori balsamic mayonnaise.

Just 500 of the burgers will be produced and served at Shake Shack Covent Garden on 9 November, with Bottura on hand to sign copies of his book.

“London is an incredible city, so vibrant and accepting of different cuisines. I can’t imagine a better place to serve my burger in evolution!” says Bottura. “And I’m especially excited to be bringing the flavours of my beloved Emilia-Romagna—cotechino sausage, parmigiano, and balsamic vinegar, my flesh, bones and blood—to Covent Garden.”

“I have always admired Massimo's imaginative and whimsical approach to Italian cuisine,” added Roasti. “We couldn't be more excited to be partnering with one of Italy's most charismatic and imaginative chefs.”

Connaught takeover​

On 10 November, Bottura and his team will take over Hélène Darroze’s restaurant and kitchen at the Connaught, Mayfair.

The chef will serve an eight-course menu comprised of his favourite historical dishes from Osteria Francescana, including: The crunchy part of the lasagna, Beautiful Psychedelic spin-painted veal, not flame grilled and Oops I dropped the lemon tart.

"The Connaught has come to feel like my home in London and I could not be more delighted to be cooking there in November,” said Bottura.

“The service is unparalleled for me and the hotel represents a serene meeting point of heritage and modernity. I am honoured that Hélène Darroze has been so generous to open her kitchens and distinguished restaurant to welcome me to London.”

General manager at the Connaught, Nathalie Seiler- Hayez added: “We are truly honoured that Massimo Bottura has chosen the Connaught as his home to cook for the very first time in London, and we look forward to having a touch of Italy in our kitchens for the day!

“The international food scene in the capital is more diverse than ever and it’s exciting for hotel restaurants to be at the very heart of it.”