Italian cuisine has always been about more than what lands on the plate. It is a cuisine shaped by memory, family and the simple pleasure of sharing a meal — a philosophy that will take centre stage at Bella Cucina, InterContinental Bali Resort, this October.
From 4 to 9 October 2026, the Jimbaran restaurant welcomes Milan-born chef and television personality Luca Ciano for four days of culinary experiences inspired by the flavours, traditions and stories of Italy. Known for his Luca’s Key Ingredients television series, handmade pastas and Italian sauces, Ciano draws heavily on the food of his childhood and recipes passed down through generations.
Set along the shores of Jimbaran Bay, Bella Cucina provides a distinctly tropical setting for Ciano’s interpretation of Italian cooking, with a programme spanning brunch, degustation, wine pairing and a hands-on experience for younger diners.
An Italian dining experience
The culinary journey begins on Sunday, 4 October, with The Ultimate Sunday Brunch, inviting guests to ease into the weekend with an abundant selection of Italian favourites alongside Bella Cucina’s contemporary creations. Bringing Ciano’s signature style to the table, the brunch is designed around the warmth and generosity associated with Italian dining and is priced from IDR 790,000++ per person.
On Wednesday, 7 October, the spotlight turns to an intimate Degustation Set Dinner. The six-course menu traces Ciano’s contemporary interpretation of the cuisine he grew up with, bringing together handmade pasta, Italian classics and a considered progression of flavours and textures. Priced at IDR 900,000++ per person, the dinner offers a closer look at the simplicity and character underpinning Ciano’s cooking.
The following evening, Thursday, 8 October, sees Bella Cucina host a Six-Course San Marzano Wine-Pairing Dinner. Across six courses, Ciano’s contemporary Italian cooking is paired with wines from San Marzano, with each selection chosen to complement the flavours, aromas and textures of the accompanying dish. The dinner draws a line between the sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia and Bali’s tropical shores, bringing together two expressions of Italian food and wine culture. The experience is priced at IDR 1,200,000++ per person.
A new generation of Italian cooks
The programme concludes on Friday, 9 October, with a Junior Cooking Class designed for young food enthusiasts aged 12 and under. Ciano will introduce participants to simple Italian cooking techniques, ingredients and culinary traditions, before inviting them to create their own Italian-inspired dishes. The hands-on experience is priced at IDR 300,000++ per child.
For Ciano, the connection between food and memory remains at the centre of his culinary philosophy, with his Italian heritage and his mother’s cooking continuing to inspire his work. At Bella Cucina, those traditions meet Bali, creating a culinary experience rooted in Italian heritage while presented through a contemporary lens.
With limited seats available, reservations can be made through InterContinental Bali Resort’s special offers page or by contacting dine@icbali.com.
