Italian luxury restaurant chain Cova celebrates 30 years in Hong Kong with a limited-edition cake and special menu
- The Italian company, now part of the LVMH group, helped changed perceptions of fine dining when it opened in Hong Kong in 1993, its chief executive says
- To mark 30 years in the city, it is selling an elaborate riff on its mango dome cake and serving a five-course special menu at its Lee Garden One restaurant
Cova, a brand famed for its mango dome cake, Italian gastronomy and premium chocolates, has just celebrated its 30th anniversary in Hong Kong.
While three decades may not seem that long given the Italian company’s 200-year history, it is considered an achievement in Hong Kong. When Cova first opened in the city, the dining scene was quite different to today.
“When we opened in Hong Kong, people only thought of French cuisine when it came to fine dining,” recalls Cova’s chief executive, Paola Faccioli. “People also preferred to drink tea rather than coffee.”
Established in 1817 by one of Napoleon’s generals, Antonio Cova, Cova is a heritage brand with roots in Milan, Italy.
It began its global expansion in 1993 with its first international outlet in Hong Kong. In 2013, Cova became part of the LVMH group, which solidified its luxury dining status.