This will be a sentimental week for Toscana's Umberto Bombana. The Italian chef under whom the maestro learned to cook 27 years ago is in town this week as his guest chef. Two-star Michelin chef Ezio Santin (right) was once taskmaster to protege Bombana at a little place outside Milan called Antica Osteria del Ponte, which in surveys still ranks as one of the best restaurants in the world. This is Santin's first Hong Kong visit and he will be overseeing Toscana's kitchen with his former student from tomorrow until Sunday. 'I have learned from Chef Ezio the respect of ingredients, to search for quality, and also to be serious about the job,' Bombana said. 'He was very strict but at the same time very funny. He gave me a lot of trust during my training. Every few years when I go back to Italy, I always go to his restaurant, to have dinner and a chat.' The Ritz-Carlton chef can't wait to show his teacher the local sights. 'Yes, I'm planning to take him to some local Chinese restaurants for dim sum and the wet market to buy food.'
