The renowned Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, located in the heart of Mallorca, was invited to participate in the third edition of the exclusive international project IN THE KITCHEN, a cultural and gastronomic project by the Swiss company 365 ART, exclusively represented and held on May 23 and 24 at the iconic Laureate Grand Café in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
This invitation further establishes the international prestige of the Mallorcan hotel as a benchmark in the European fine dining scene. Representing Spain, Chef Blai Valbona, Executive Chef of Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, presented a tasting menu specially created for the occasion, inspired by Mediterranean flavors and reinterpreted with his innovative style.
The event also featured Chefs Yuri Kopalin from Laureate Grand Café, and Nariman Abdygaparov from Kazakhstan, whose participation emphasized the cultural bridging between Europe and Asia through culinary art.
The spring edition of IN THE KITCHEN became a reality thanks to the close collaboration between 365 ART and Ainur Akhmetova, founder of Laureate Grand Café, the project’s organizer in Kazakhstan. Ainur is a prominent patron of the arts and a dedicated advocate for education, culture, and creative dialogue.
Laureate Grand Café is located in a building steeped in history — once known as the legendary “Laureatnik” or House of Arts, it hosted great Soviet filmmakers and actors evacuated to Almaty during World War II. Since its thoughtful restoration, it has become a modern-day culinary and cultural destination. For the past five years, Laureate Grand Café has carried on this creative spirit — now through gastronomic performance and artistic exchange.
By returning to this iconic location, IN THE KITCHEN connects past and present — honoring legacy while building cultural bridges through shared meals and shared stories.
The event, limited to just 26 guests per evening, took place around a sculptural table that is part of the art installation Cook Local, Act Infinite by Austrian artist Norbert Brunner, merging gastronomy and contemporary art into a unique multisensory experience.
As part of the project’s tradition, renowned Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti captured artistic portraits of the participating chefs. Blai Valbona’s portrait will join the permanent collection of Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, reinforcing the strong connection between art, gastronomy, and hospitality that defines the Mallorcan establishment.
The event was supported by Limba and Payot, whose contributions helped bring this exceptional cultural experience to life. Additionally, the hotel shared its Mediterranean essence with attendees by offering three luxury stays in Mallorca through an exclusive lottery during the dinners, awarding three lucky guests with unforgettable trips to the Mediterranean.
Cap Vermell Grand Hotel’s participation in IN THE KITCHEN not only symbolizes international recognition of its gastronomic and cultural excellence but also strengthens its mission to build bridges between cultures through the art of fine dining.
