Casa I Wonder at the Venice Film Festival: Chef Michele Casadei Massari on the Lido

Sep 20

Lucciola NYC hospitality goes to Venice during one of the most important events of the year for cinephiles and Hollywood stars

For the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival, Casa I Wonder returned to the Lido as one of the Biennale's place to be — the Italian house where the industry, the press and the filmmakers cross paths between screenings. This year, once again, the hospitality was directed by Chef Michele Casadei Massari, executive chef and owner of Lucciola NYC.

The Most Beautiful House on the Lido

Casa I Wonder is the hospitality project of I Wonder Pictures, the film distributor founded by Andrea Romeo, developed in partnership with Chef Michele Casadei Massari, who serves as its Culinary Director. Now a recurring presence at the Venice Biennale, with prior editions at Sundance and at the Festival de Cannes, the project inhabits a villa on Lungomare Marconi for the duration of the festival.

Chef Michele brings the Lucciola approach, a tasting-menu discipline scaled to a house full of industry, media and VIP guests.

Chef Michele Casadei Massari and Andrea Romeo, I WONDER CEO and Editorial Director
Credit: Maurizio Bresciani

Made in Italy, Course by Course

Guests were able to taste some of the best Italian products on the market, chosen by the Chef.

Parmigiano Reggiano, of which Chef is US Brand Ambassador for the Consortium. Pasta Felicetti; Ferrarini charcuterie and Palazzo di Varignana handled the extra-virgin olive oil across the menu, and Tartuflanghe for the truffle twist. These products are always available at Lucciola NYC for our patrons.

Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio (*John Wick*, *Romanzo Criminale*) at Casa I Wonder
Credit: Maurizio Bresciani

Then, Acetaia Giusti was present as aged balsamic, and Giusti Vermouth. Refreshing drinks were provided by Peroni.

Sammontana Gelati all’italiana were present to make warm Venetian days more refreshing with their gelato and desserts, while Bialetti was the moka treat, providing coffee for the guests.

The reading corner belonged to Accento Edizioni, the publishing house founded by MTV personality Alessandro Cattelan.

Discover Giusti Table at Lucciola

Giusti special cake and actor Orlando Bloom
Credit: Maurizio Bresciani

Cinema at the Table

Hospitality means creating memories for the people involved in a competitive festival, and having a very good time. A truffle feast was the main character of the party and celebrations for UN BON PETIT SOLDAT by Stéphane Brizé, the screenwriting winner at the Festival (Premio per la sceneggiatura, in Italian).
And then, a cake inspired by Werner Herzog's Bucking Fastard — the director's return to Venice competition, with Orlando Bloom, Kate and Rooney Mara on screen together for the first time — prepared by a Modena cake designer for the occasion brought by Giusti. Chef Michele also congratulated the Maestro with a special dessert.

Happy Birthday, Werner Herzog!
Credit: Maurizio Bresciani

Lucciola returns to New York now, and you can feel the same dedication and love when dining at Chef Michele restaurant, with his team ready to provide you the best Emilia-Romagna region offers.