Endeavoring to showcase just what and incredible inspiration their annual visit to Italy is, Letitia Prinsloo (ICA Principle) guided a group of ICA students and guests on a culinary tour to Italy in 2013. To inspire students and expose them to the great culinary minds of past and present eras, ICA students are required to do a complete and comprehensive Chef Demonstration project during their second year of study. Upon the news of 2016’s World’s Best Restaurant being announced as Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, ICA Alumni Lichelle May, who was one of the students during the tour, had this to say on social media:

“About 3 years ago, I had a project at the ICA: to research and know everything about this amazing chef! I had to cook and present 3 dishes from his restaurant, one of the most stressful days of my life, I may add! Just a few months later, I had the opportunity to dine at his restaurant in Italy and got to meet the one and only Chef Massimo Bottura! He became my culinary muse, inspiration and food hero. Today I cannot be more excited and proud that Osteria Francescana made it to No. 1 Restaurant in the World!”