From the first bite to the last sip - live the magic of Genesis at Cortina d'Ampezzo

Photography by Chantal Arnts

Chef Riccardo Gaspari is the beating heart of Genesis together with his wife Ludovica Rubbini - owners of the SanBrite (1 Michelin star) and El Brite de Larieto restaurants nestled in the exquisite Cortina d'Ampezzo, which have both been awarded green stars for sustainability.

With this new year's edition they wanted to convey the journey back to the origins with a profound focus on the sense of community, wellness and the mind body balance - from nature, with nature and for nature.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

“We wanted to serve a project much bigger than us, something that we have always tried to share - Nature. We began from the end, from where everything started, from the origins. It was a backward journey - from the dish to the ingredient - swinging back and forth between birth and discovery!” they share.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

Disconnecting from the chaotic urban reality and getting in connection with nature - they were inspired by the term synergy that stems from the Attic Greek word συνεργία, as each one of us is unconsciously linked to another.

Beautifully rooted in the concepts of synergy, community and ecosystems, the event was a culmination of a journey that began with Casa Genesis earlier this year - a remarkable project that marked the start of a path of restoration and awareness shaped by the five elements of nature, Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Mankind.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

To gain a deeper understanding of the interdependence between every life form on the planet - this third edition with a social conscience and respect for the earth was built on shared values and intentions, welcoming everyone into the ecosystem.

Each aspect represented a push for community wellbeing, from the gastronomic experiences - exploring the theme of Regenerative Cooking - to the outdoor activities designed to put people front and center, prioritizing relationships.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

“We want to start a small revolution - allowing nature and mankind to exist in perfect harmony once again” says Riccardo Gaspari.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

Genesis' four-day schedule was meticulously detailed with perfection. Every bedsheet was gently folded whilst waiting for guests to arrive, every corner of the charming location was carefully decided to host one in and every small herb was handpicked to garnish the plates they served in.

Embodying endless sensory and food and wine experiences, it encompassed "four hands" dinners to group workshops and holistic outdoor activities. Every single refreshing encounter invited one to introspect and interact, rediscovering how to cooperate to achieve a common goal.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

The event was supported by the "Element Sponsors” - Torre Rosazza (Earth), Parmigiano Reggiano (Air), Ambrosoli (Fire) and Pastificio Felicetti (Water). Additionally, Genesis was backed by the "Technical Sponsors Plus" – Scarpa, illycaffè, K-Way and Legend Kombucha as well as the "Technical Sponsors" Riso, Visa Generatori, Olmar, Acqua Dolomia, ITAS Assicurazioni, Wilden Herbals and Cooperativa di Cortina.

At first, renowned chefs from across the globe took turns in the kitchen, the groundbreaking line-up featured international talents from Benoit Dewitte of the Benoit & Bernard Dewitte restaurant (Kruisem, Belgium) to Marcelo Ballardin of the OAK restaurant (Ghent, Belgium) and Christoffer Norton of the Domestic restaurant (Aarhus, Denmark), as well as Italians of the caliber of Michele Lazzarini of the Contrada Bricconi restaurant (Bergamo, Italy).

Photography by Chantal Arnts

Together with experts, artisans and food and wine enthusiasts, they celebrated good food amidst the stunning landscape of the Ampezzo Dolomites through a burst of authentic alluring flavors.

All the participants shared a passion for local and seasonal ingredients - prioritizing small regional suppliers in addition to a desire to create the most sustainable path possible from the land to the table and combine haute cuisine techniques with ancient methods, such as fermentation and ancestral cooking.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

"We started with community as the focal point - we cannot forget that all living beings are intrinsically linked to each other. Just think of the bees - so small and yet so vital. Thanks to their intricate dances and the pollination process, our agricultural crops grow year after year.

Now more than ever, we want to connect the dots of a concept that we first introduced many years ago. We want to establish a community that is able to create and collaborate, working to safeguard our habitat and find fulfillment in a profound sense of interconnectedness" Gaspari explains.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

Delving deeper into this programme, the exclusive gastronomic events once again represented the soul of Genesis - on the evening of Friday 8 September, the inaugural aperitifs was held on the terrace of the Rifugio Angelo Dibona, followed by a "four-hands" dinner prepared by chefs Benoit Dewitte and Marcelo Ballardin. Overlooking the sky embraced with cool crisp air - getting pink-er by the minute - everyone had a glass in one hand and a laughter that couldn't be held back.

Day two went on with the joy of rediscovering the primordial tastes of life, a fine line between nature and humanity where both were enhanced - from soil to clay, grains to pasta, water to wine, bees to honey.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

It began with a hearty breakfast at the lodge and continued with a trip to a local Cason (traditional house) where a ceramics workshop was hosted by the promising young artisans from The Bird Tsang (Amsterdam) - Johannes, Robin and Josiah - who craft eclectic but one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces brimming with creativity and precision. Through their professional background in the hospitality industry, along with their education in art and design - their bespoke elegant tableware compliments and heightens every dining experience.

This workshop was followed by a flavor-packed lunch, at the end of which one could sample delectably rich ice cream from the renowned Cremeria Capolinea by Monica and Simone - two young entrepreneurs who turned their passion for gelato into a success story involving natural ice cream, comprising carefully selected ingredients and a short supply chain. In the evening, the SanBrite restaurant then hosted a truly special dinner by its chef and owner, Riccardo Gaspari.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

The following day – after spending the night at the Rifugio Dibona – guests attended a lunch at the El Brite de Larieto restaurant, where one could sample Christoffer Norton's exceptional culinary creations, followed by the second part of the ceramics workshop.

Sunday evening promised to be one of the most evocative occasions and it was, with a goosebump-giving breathtaking 10-piece open-air concert by the Accademia Perosi - a Biella-based organization and one of Italy's most prestigious musical institutions, which finances scholarships for its students through concerts.

After this, one further experienced the excitement of the extraordinary Fire dinner by chefs Michele Lazzarini and Riccardo Gaspari followed by a cozy night camping experience in the magnificent Pian Federa.

Photography by Chantal Arnts

Monday's awakening was relaxing and soothing with an early morning yoga lesson with holistic teacher and coach Johanna Maggy who offered a final immersion in nature before an inviting breakfast was served by Aurora Zancanaro of Micro Panificio Le Polveri (Milan) - a noteworthy Milanese brand born from Zancanaro's innate passion for flour and leavened products. She believes in natural and genuine baking, with nothing added or taken away.

The art of hosting, joy of welcoming, infinity of the landscape, width of the mountains enclosed into a hug - this adventure went as expected and more. They say “home is where your heart is” and the warmth at Genesis made one feel right where they belong.

Photography by Chantal Arnts