Mumbai, December 18, 2025: LuxExclusive Marketing made history by bringing the famous “100 Years of Burrata” celebration to India for the first time. This was a big deal for both culture and food. On December 16 and 17, 2025, famous Michelin Star Chef Giovanni Papi came to India for a two-day culinary journey that brought world-class Italian food to Mumbai’s foodies in honour of one of Italy’s most famous culinary treasures.
The celebrated chef curated an exclusive dining experience at EVE Worli, Mumbai, as part of this historic BURRATA’s 100 Years Celebration – a landmark event hosted by WGFAD and LuxExclusive Marketing, marking the first time this international celebration graced Indian shores.
Celebrating a Century of Italian Culinary Heritage
People often call burrata the Queen of Italian Cheeses. It came from the town of Andria in the Puglia region of Southern Italy in the early 1920s. This delicious cheese was made on the Bianchini farm during a very cold winter. It came from the Italian tradition of being resourceful—mixing fresh mozzarella curds with cream to make something that would wow the world. Over the past hundred years, Burrata has gone from being a local speciality to a global culinary phenomenon. Its unique soft mozzarella shell surrounds a rich, creamy filling of stracciatella and fresh cream.
This centennial celebration honoured not just the cheese itself, but the artisanal craftsmanship and rich gastronomic heritage of Southern Italy that continues to inspire chefs and food lovers worldwide.
An Intimate Chef’s Table Experience
Chef Giovanni Papi held a private Chef’s Table for a select group of high-profile guests on December 16th, at EVE Worli. This close-up experience gave people a rare chance to see the Michelin Star chef’s cooking skills up close, showing off his creative methods and deep love for real Italian food. Guests saw for themselves how traditional Italian ingredients could be turned into modern works of art.
Voices from the Celebration
Chef Giovanni Papi said he was excited to bring real Italian cooking traditions to India. “Burrata is the heart and soul of Italian food—a century of artisanal craftsmanship and passion. I am honoured to celebrate this milestone in Mumbai and share the real tastes of my home country with India’s versatile eaters. It’s not just about cheese; it’s about keeping alive and honouring a culinary tradition that has touched people all over the world.”
Doug Singer, who co-wrote the book to honour Burrata, said, “Writing about Burrata’s century-long journey has been a fascinating look at how a simple idea that came about out of necessity became a global culinary icon. This book is our way of honouring the craftsmen of Puglia and the timeless beauty of real Italian craftsmanship. We’re so excited to show it off in Mumbai.”
Flavel Monteiro, co-author, added: “Burrata’s story is one of resourcefulness, creativity, and the enduring power of tradition. Through our book, we’ve captured not just the history of a cheese, but the cultural heritage of an entire region. Launching it at this exclusive celebration in India makes this moment even more special.”
Sumit Govind Sharma, Founder of LuxExclusive Marketing and also the co-author of the book, said he was excited about the celebration: “The 100 Years of Burrata celebration is a perfect mix of history, culture, and great food. This is the first time this famous international event has been held in India, which shows how much our country is starting to appreciate real global food. Being a part of this historic moment is an honour.”
A Grand Celebration Evening
On the evening of December 17th, Chef Papi was the guest of honour and paid homage to Burrata’s centennial legacy. The BURRATA 100 Years Celebration brought together great food and great company. The evening included well-known people from the hospitality and media industries, such as Sumit Govind Sharma, Nisha JamVwal and award-winning author Flavel Monteiro.
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a memorial book written by the award-winning authors Doug Singer, Flavel Monteiro and Sumit Govind Sharma that tells the story of Burrata’s 100-year journey. This one-of-a-kind book goes into great detail about the history, cultural importance, and culinary evolution of this famous Italian cheese. It is a must-have for anyone who loves food or is interested in food history.
Chef Giovanni Papi brought his Michelin-star credentials and cooking skills to India, where he created an unforgettable meal that honoured this important milestone in Italian cuisine while also celebrating Italy’s rich culinary history.
A First for India
This historic event was made possible by LuxExclusive Marketing’s vision and dedication to bringing world-class luxury experiences to India. LuxExclusive was the only partner to bring the “100 Years of Burrata” book and the celebration to India for the first time. The book also received an award for the “Best Italian Food Culture Book in the World” at the 31st Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 29th, in the presence of Mr Edouard Cointreau, Chairman of the Awards Committee. “The Gourmand Awards” is an internationally recognised platform that honours the finest culinary and food culture publications worldwide. This also shows that they are leaders in putting together amazing international events and winning at them, connecting India’s sophisticated luxury audience with global culinary traditions.
