From now till 8 July 2012, Sicilian Pizza Chef Pasqualino Barbasso will be twirling and tossing pizza dough to dazzle guests at Palio, located within Hotel Michael at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Chef Barbasso is the first guest chef to be hosted for RWS' Global Gourmet Kitchen series, featuring the world's best masterchefs. He has devised a special a la carte menu for guests at Palio during his visit.

Guest Chef Pasqualino Barbasso

Hailing from Agrigento, Sicily, 36-year old Chef Barbasso started his career as a Pizzaiolo (pizza chef) at his family pizzeria, Il FlacoAzzuro. After winning the World Champion title in 2001 and 2002, he has been travelling around the world to showcase his skills in addition to running the family pizzeria.

Palio's Chef Davide Bizarri & Guest Chef Pasqualino Barbasso

I was invited to witness Guest Chef Pasqualino Barbasso's pizza twirling acrobatics and to sample some of his signature pizzas in addition to a few favourites from Palio's existing menu.

Palio's Insalata Caprese @ S$ 20

Italian Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese, Vine-Ripened Tomato & Basil

The above picture is a degustation-sized serving so its smaller than the actual dish.

The Caprese Salad was refreshing with the cool, creamy and slightly chewy Mozzarella Cheese, delicately sweet tomato and fragrant basil.

Palio's Linguine all' Aragosta @ S$ 45

Half a Boston Lobster with Linguine in Spicy Arrabiata Tomato Sauce

The above picture is a degustation-sized serving so its smaller than the actual dish

One of the most popular items on Palio's menu, the Linguine all' Aragosta was delicious with the rich flavour of the spicy tomato sauce and fresh lobster. The pasta was al dente and we were told that the normal portion is so large, diners often order a dish to share. That sounds awesome as it leaves room to explore other items on Palio's menu.

Chef Pasqualino Barbasso's Signature Arrotolata Pizza @ S$ 34 (large)

Artichoke Cream, Artichokes, Mozzarella, Parma Ham, Rucola Salad

& Shaved Parmesan Cheese

hef Barbasso's signature Arrotolata Pizza is a rolled pizza with artichokes, topped with thin slices of savoury Parma Ham, Mozzarella, Parmesan Cheese shavings and peppery Rucola Salad (also known as Arugula or Rocket). I enjoyed it immensely as it was a pleasant departure from the usual pizzas with tomato sauce as a "binding agent" of sorts to hold the toppings to the pizza.

Chef Barbasso's Signature Bolero Pizza`@ S$ 34 (large)

Focaccia Bread with Burrata Cheese, Rucola Salad, Cherry Tomato,

Air-Dried Beef "Bresaola" & Aged Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

 

This was my favourite pizza. Unlike regular pizzas, this pizza has Focaccia Bread (an Italian flat bread) as its base, instead of pizza dough. Topped with creamy burrata cheese, delightfully savoury Bresaola, juicy halves of cherry tomato, intensely woody and sweet aged Balsamic Vinegar reduction; this pizza literally exploded with flavour. The balanced combination of the different flavour profiles along with the crisp Focaccia crust was like a marriage made in pizza Heaven. This is definitely a Must-Try!

Chef Barbassogs Signature Cenerentola Pizza @ $ 32 (large)

Mozzarella, Roasted Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes Confit, Ricotta Cheese & Avruga Caviar

 

The most delicately flavoured of all the 3 pizzas, the cherry tomatoes confit added a burst of flavour as the cooking process had intensified the sweetness of the tomatoes. I could barely discern the Avruga Caviar's flavour from the rest of the toppings and wondered if just a light sprinkle of sea salt might help lift the flavours a little.

Palio's Tiramisu @ S$ 14

We ended lunch with another favourite from Palio's menu. The dessert was well-balanced in flavour. The creaminess of mascarpone cheese, the rich flavour of cocoa and the caffeine boost from Espresso coffee mingled together on the palate without being cloyingly sweet nor excessively heavy on the stomach. In spite of how full I was feeling prior to dessert, I found myself finishing it. The Tiramisu at Palio is a Must-Try.

YouTube video of Chef Barbasso's Pizza Twirling

To watch him in the flesh, head to World Square (an open space next to Palio) to catch his performance between 5.30 pm to 6 pm daily till 8 July 2012.  He will be attempting to break his personal record hcurrently at 1.9 metres) by tossing a 2-metre wide pizza.

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Pizza Classes for Adults & Kids by Chef Pasqualino Barbasso

In addition to pizza twirling performances and preparing special a la carte dishes, Chef Barbasso will be #onducting Pizza Classes for adults and kids. Due to overwhelming response, Pali0 has added a few additional sessions (dates amended due to error in information provided). Book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Pizza Classes for Kids (3 - 5 pm) - limited to 20 spaces:

Price: S$ 25++  per child. Price includes 1 complimentary medium Napoletana pizza for takeaway or dine-in after the class

 

Sunday, 1 July

Monday, 2 July 

Saturday, 7 July

Sunday, 8 July  

 

Pizza class for Adults (3 - 5 pm) - limited to 20 spaces:

Price: S$ 38++  per person. Price includes 1 complimentary large Napoletana pizza (worth S$28) for takeaway or dine-in after the class

 

Friday, 29 June

Saturday, 30 June

Thursday, 5 July

Friday, 6 July

 

Call +65 6577-8899 for enquiries and bookings.

 

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Palio

8 Sentosa Gateway,

Level 2, Hotel Michael

Singapore 098269

Phone: +65 6577-8888 / 6577-8899

 

Operating Hours: 

Daily Breakfast : 7.30 am - 10.30 am Daily Lunch : 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm    * Set lunches from S$ 18++ on weekdays*

Daily Snacks (Pizzas only) : 2.30 pm - 6.30 pm Dinner (Sundays - Thursdays) : 6.30 pm - 10.30 pm

Dinner (Fridays, Saturdays, Eve of Public Holidays & Public Holidays) : 6.30 pm - 11 pm

 

Directions to Palio at Hotel Michael: http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/HowToGetThere

 

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PS: Thank you Resorts World Sentosa and Weber Shandwick for the hospitality.