Here at Al Dente our functions are distinctly Italian in design.  We structure our activities around the way Italians view, prepare and experience food and our goal is to immerse our guests in these simple pleasures.

Al Dente was founded in 1997 by Raffaela Delmonte, to share her love and knowledge of Italian regional cuisine along with the fun and the simplicity that being Italian means.

Al Dente has grown to provide a range of services including corporate events and meetings, private functions, cooking classes, organic food courses and team building outings.  The beautiful venue, Villa Romantica, is a welcome change from the conference centre format and is now a favoured location for many of Auckland’s leading companies.

THE FRAGRANCE OF BASIL:
Raffaela's first book The Fragrance of Basil won the 2002 Gourmand World Cookbook Award as best food literature book in English language.

Her involvement in all things Italian in New Zealand includes a series of events at the Auckland Museum titled “Food as Form of Art” as part of the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition. Raffaela was also part of the 2005 “Reader and Writers Festival” in the “Star Food Writers” session together with Peta Matias, Meggie Beer and Ray McVinnie.

Raffaela is a member of the Olives NZ Tasting Panel that certifies NZ Extra Virgin Olive Oil.